Question by Bombshell & Baby Girl! ♥June18♥: Are you taking a childbirth or childcare class?
My entire pregnancy, I always planned on taking a lamaze class as well as a childcare class where they teach you how to diaper, hold, burp the baby, etc. (I’m the youngest child and never had any younger cousins or family, and am also one of the first of my friends to have a baby so I don’t know how to do any of these things!) I was under the impression that hospitals are supposed to offer these classes for free.
Yesterday, we had our 20 week ultrasound and found out that the classes ARE offered but they cost $ 200 per couple! We can afford it, but I can’t help but feel that that money could be put to better use (savings, baby stuff, furniture, etc.) Now I’m thinking of bypassing the classes altogether…I figure people have been giving birth for generations without having any classes and they’ve done OK.
What do you think? Are you taking any classes and are they offered for free in your area?
Best answer:
Answer by Baby Evan is due May 18th!
My husband and I, as long with two other expecting couples we’re friends with, are taking 5 week childbirth classes. They are offered through the hospital, but they are not free…luckily they are only for the whole course, my husband is even taking a Daddy 101 class for 3 weeks at dollars (along with the other two dads).
They did have a package that was about 0 but it included all kinds of classes. I.E., childbirth, breastfeeding, daddy 101, cpr, older siblings class.. You may want to try to google childbirth class in your area and see what you come up with or make sure that price you were quoted was not for a bunch of classes! Good Luck!
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Our 1 day saturday class also costs 75 dollars. I’ve heard from previous parents that the class is a waste of time/$. I’m still choosing to take the class and make the best of it.
$200 might change my mind as well – that’s about 4 packages of diapers!
Maybe you can ask your mom or aunt about helping you once the baby comes?
I was going ot take a class. They are not free that I have ever seen. Here they cost only $100 though. I paid for my class and then I was in the hospital on bedrest during the class and did not get to go. Thankfully they gave me my money back. I was going to take the childbirth class not the baby care class. I did not need the baby care class. I came home with my daughter and did just fine. I did not handle my labor very well though, so childbirth class probably would have been helpful. I plan on trying to take the class this time around with #2.
If you have health insurance you may want to check with them and see if they cover any classes like that. My insurance would not pay for mine outright, but if you went to the class and got something saying you had completed it, they woudl reimburse you.
I definately understand your frustration. Classes are very important to take for the knowledge to know what to expect during the delivering process. ie. when to go to the hospital, timing of contractions, what to do if your water breaks, labor, medication options, breathing and positioning techniques. To save Time and Money you now have another option. You may take your complete childbirth class taught by a Certified Instructor online at the convenience of home. Visit http://www.birthlink.org for the details only $39.95.
The Postpartum nursing staff will teach you how to care for your baby before you go home. I would recommend purchasing The Happiest Baby on DVD to learn how to calm and soothe your baby.
I would look into breastfeeding (if you are planning on breastfeeding) class usually $10.00 at hospital and CPR (in case baby chokes) usually $30.00 per person at hospital or Red cross.
I wish you the best during your pregancy, enjoy the little kicks and know that you are half way there to holding your little angel.