Birth preparation classes?

[Ombeline]

Who is taking prepared childbirth classes or did so during past pregnancies? Any special methods? Bradley? Lamaze? Yoga? Prenatal singing? Hypnosis?

Usually hospitals here in France (where I live) hold their own classes for expectant parents, every few weeks for the last 2-3 months of pregnancy, where they explain the technical side of childbirth and baby care and teach you some breathing and relaxation techniques. I would have liked this option but my hospital recently stopped offering classes. Instead, I'm signed up for 2 free childbirth information hours at the local Family Planning place in March. I think midwives also offer classes for groups or individuals in their homes but I don't know where to start looking and having individual birthing lessons at someone's house would just feel weird to me.

I figure I'll just wing it when it comes down to it! You basically have to push when they tell you to push, right???

Besides, I've been told there will be around 10 people in the room with me because it's twins (OB, 2 pediatricians, anesthesiologist + assistant, at least one midwife, several nurses, and a few other folks, as well as any curious interns or apprentice midwives who want to look in, and, hopefully, my husband) so I'm sure I'll have plenty of instructions. Nice and intimate, huh?

[Cassagc]

The hospitals around me (Texas/Oklahoma) offer pretty much the same thing, a technical class that really doesn't sound like it will help much. We'll be attending anyways if I make it down in time... You can pay for classes like hyponobirthing and Bradley if there are instructors near you. I did find some online classes that have given me at least an idea of what's to come. They're on About.com and you just sign up and they send you weekly classes that you link to at your convience.

Wow, you're brave for dealing with so many people. I've already told my OB that I'm kicking most people out.

[RLTMommy]

I took the class for my first. I wouldn't do it again. I laughed so hard when a class full of people were huffing and puffing that I almost peed myself. For me, it was a waste of time.

[Ombeline]

I bought a DVD set (not expensive, fortunately) and it's been pretty helpful for my husband, at least. Nothing I hadn't read in the preg books but a good review of what to expect in labor & delivery, what can go wrong, how they deal with it, etc.
I don't think I could handle a group class either. I went to one meeting and it was all about sharing your feelings and preparing to mourn for your "imaginary child" after the birth of your "actual child". I just wanted concrete advice on how to push and breathe so I don't mess up when it's my turn but I guess you just, well, push and breathe!

[g0dd3ss13]

Ombeline *lol

I am not planning on any classes either. I figure the process of giving birth is written somewhere in my female genetic code. If women could do it 1000's of years ago squating in the bushes, ducking predators; I can do it in a hygenic facility with trained professionals(sp?) present