Preparing for Baby Classes

DH and I are not having children biologically, we are adopting.  Part of the process is that we have to take "Parenting an Adopted Child" classes.  I have always known that I would adopt and have done a lot of research on my own and paid attention in university classes.  I have still learned a lot through the classes and discussions at the adoption agency, things I never even thought of and hearing the perspective of others.

I would say that, given the opportunity, it really couldn't hurt to take a class on newborn care, child care, infant CPR or anything else that is offered.  At the least you would reinforce what you researched on your own.

We didn't take classes, we just rented a movie.  I had my eyes closed for most of it.  I didn't want to watch then, nor during birth.  Honestly, I think it helped DH to realize what was going to happen.  I had a vaginal birth but had the epideral.

I didn't take BF classes either, my mom was coming into town and the nurses at the hospital were awesome and they totally help you.  If you are class type person, I am sure it would help.  I am not, so I didn't bother. 

What we did find useful was touring the hospital.  It was good to know what their procedures are before hand.

Nothing prepares you really...

I went to an ante natal class and didn't really learn anything new there.  They didn't teach us how to "breathe through" the contractions when you want to push but can't, they didn't teach us about basic newborn baby care and they didn't teach us anything about breastfeeding (there was a seperate class for that, but I couldn't get to it). 

Obviously some ante natal classes differ wildly from others.  At ours, they explained to us what our options were (example home birth vs hospital, what drugs are available, what they do, the side effects, the risks etc.) so we could make an informed choice.  They also gave us some VERY basic advice about newborn care; ie. a checklist of what may be wrong with the baby and different ways to soothe a crying baby.  I know some that show you how to bathe the baby and change nappies things like that.... but we were shown that in the hospital before coming home.

At the class I went to, they also stressed very strongly that it was less harmful for a baby to be put down in his cot and left for a few minutes than to stay with an angry/frustrated/upset/emotional mother, and that of course, one must never-but-never shake a baby.  Oh and they also advised us: rest when you can, accept help when it is offered, be easy on yourself etc. and the signs of PND.  That was it really.  I have older sisters and many friends who have had children so I already knew a lot of stuff from them.  In the end I only went 3 weeks out of 6. 

I did read some of the material I was given when pregnant... a few leaflets and a not-heavy-going book and that was enough for me.  Basic stuff like tips on breastfeeding were included in the book I read, as I said, I couldn't get to the breastfeeding class.  I breastfed William till he was 14 months   I think I coped really well with my pregnancy, labour, birth and looking after a newborn.  And Wills has turned out ok

I just rely on the What to Expect...books. I'm now on the toddler edition, and they haven't steered me wrong yet lol.

DH & I did go to a prenatal class. It wasn't really what I expected. I had read a lot in books and on the internet, so it was pretty much stuff I already knew. They didn't talk about what I wanted to know about, like breastfeeding and basic infant care. I thought it was pretty much a waste of a day (we did the all-day class rather than weekly ones because of our schedules). Except that DH got involved, which made me happy because he hadn't read any of the books I had.

 I seriously considered taking the prenatal classes when I was pregnant with Kali for Tyler's sake.  If I had a do-over I think I would have.  Honestly, other than the focus point, I didn't get much out of the prenatal classes I took with Kale, but my coach sure did.  I think it really helped her feel not so useless.  Tyler really had no idea what he could do to help, and ha's not really the type to just jump right in to help without specific instructions, which you aren't apt to be dishing at that point. 

If you have access to BFing classes though, I say take em.  Any help you can get with breast feeding is bonus.  Some people get it off the hop, but....it can't hurt right?

We took a childbirth and infant childcare class before meri was born. The childbirth one wasn't that helpful because, well it was hard to remember all those breathing things when the time actually came to use them. But the childcare class was really helpful. And I think in part the teacher was what made it so helpful. She shared a lot of her tips and tricks that totally helped us out. For example she recommended that we not do rice as the first baby cereal as it just expands and expands the more water you add to it and that typically most infants end up constipated. So we did oatmeal instead and we never had any problems.

The other thing that was really helpful was that they gave a tour of the maternity ward. That was definitely reassuring to know know where exactly we would be and what our rooms would look like.

Looking back I wished I had taken a breastfeeding class. It was definitely challenging and I felt that I didn't really know enough about it and had a really rocky start. We got through it, but I think maybe it would have helped to have taken a class and that would have given me more confidence and I could have been more relaxed about it.

Thank you for all of the great responses!  I plan to take a breastfeeding class for sure and I think I will probably also take an infant care class, but I am thinking as far as the childbirth class goes, I am going to buy a DVD that has been suggested by a lot of people.  It is much more affordable and can be done on our own time which should work best for us anyway! 

 We had the tour of the ward too which was a very good idea I think. 

Our whole group unanimously agreed in the first session that we would rather NOT see a video of a birth.  I don't think it prepares you anyhow... we felt it would be more likely to gross us out!  I felt it would scare me more to see it.  I didn't want to see it at the time either, and I didn't particularly want DH seeing anything down there either.  I think if I'd had that image in my mind of "what was going to happen to me" before I went in now way could I have been as relaxed as I was about it and my birth would have been worse.  For me, ignorance was definitely bliss.