Lamaze Childbirth classes (Question)

I am delivering @ Mercy Hospital - I called yesterday to sign up for their childbirth class they offer - however, I guess I am calling a little late b/c their next class ends past my due date.
Can you take these classes at any hospital?
I went to the Baby's R Us class the other night and the woman giving the lecture passed out her card - I am trying to contact her - but I have a feeling she is very expensive b/c you can call her after the class with any problems or questions she is there for you -
Anyone taking classes at Nassau Hos. - and if so do you have a number I can call.
Thanks for any info. you can tell me.
It doesn't have to be a Lamaze class - I am really looking to take a childbirth education class.

Re: Lamaze Childbirth classes (Question)

I took my lamaze class @ my hospital (Southampton)... it was $150 for 8 hours (they offered 4 classes on Thursdays or one Saturday). Im not sure if you can take them at different hospital because you usually get a tour of the facilities during the class. You get to know where you are going to be on one of the most important days of your life.
You can probably call the maternity ward at any hospital and ask the nurses (maternity ward nurses are the nicest people in the world).

Good luck!!

Re: Lamaze Childbirth classes (Question)

Your doctor should also have suggestions for you.

Re: Lamaze Childbirth classes (Question)

ladies, one piece of advice i can give about Lamaze..

saveyour money !

I was advised not to bother, and I didnt, and Im glad! When youre in labor anything you learned goes right out the window !

Re: Lamaze Childbirth classes (Question)

Anna I agree with you, sorta. The lamaze class I went to had to do with the stages, education about procedures (if necessary), what to expect and the coping techniques...

Maybe thats good for some people who dont know what the whole experience is about. But you are right the whole breathing thing is crap... I found that fast breathing hurt MUCH worse than slow relaxed breathing.

we are doing bradley method...

last class is this sun- I am due sat!
Bradley doesnt bother with all the diff breathing tchniques. It teaches u more about what is happening to your body during the late stages of preg..what happens in early and active labor, coping tchniques, the +s & minuses of drugs,etc.
Rob & I find these classes VERY helpful...makes me a bit less fearful...esp since my midwives have all told me the same thing I am learning in class.

I will b delivering at Maimomides Hosp in bklyn( my dr is in bklyn where i used to live)..and they provide doulas at NO CHARGE...and the labor & delivery fl is equipped w/ telemetry..so u dont have to b hooked up to all these monitors..its wireless!

We did the tour of the hospital and are happy w/ what we saw...just he post delivery rooms are small and there are 2 moms in each rm

hope this helps

Re: Lamaze Childbirth classes (Question)

I have to disagree. I think I posted in a previous thread that Phyl started...I found our birthing class to be VERY helpful during my labor and delivery.

However, we were offered a class that combined the methods of Lamaze and Bradley, and that is why it was useful - it was not all about breathing, but about different positions you can labor in, to take pressure off your back, pelvis and legs. It also taught the husbands and birth coaches how to be a good coach, and what they can do to help the process. That alone made the class worth it for us, especially b/c hubby was more scared and nervous than I. I definitely feel that it was *VERY* helpful to me, knowing the different stages of labor, and what my options were for comfort.

Even if you don't end up using any advice or pre-labor coaching, it can't hurt to enter into the process already educated about what could happen, and how the hospital will deal with it. Otherwise, it's trial by fire and that just cause more fear, IMO.

Also, in the labor class they told us to discuss options for emergency medical situations, which was *VERY* uncomfortable to do (ie, no one wants to think about a possible life-threatening situation on such a joyous occasion), but it is ESSENTIAL that you and your hubby agree on your wishes, God forbid hubby needed to decide your or the baby's fate.
Some food for thought at least...

Just my two cents.

Re: Lamaze Childbirth classes (Question)

I agree with Claud that couples need to discuss the medical emergency questions. I had never even thought about that until Claud brought it up to me one day. I am not pregnant buy Scott and I discussed some of those senerios one day. You cannot make a decision like that DURING the event. You should know how you and your partner feel about it before hand.