Today we’re going to talk about 4 ways to fit into a birth class. It can be so hard when you’re thinking about how you’re going to fit into a very rigid hospital course… BUT you know a birth course improves outcomes, so what’s the best way to make it work?
First, I want to say that I LOVE that you understand how important a birth class is. If you’re still on the fence, let me remind you:
BUT you’re here to wonder how to fit it into a busy life — and I’m here for you. While it’s hard for your first baby, it’s even harder for one second + baby (but I also think it’s important to review it).
Take an online course
This is the easiest and most obvious answer. There are MANY birth classes available online, on demand (there are other virtual classes as well which we will talk about next).
On demand classes means the course is available whenever you are. That means if you have time at 8am on a Sunday, the videos are right there waiting for you.
Many of these classes still have a Q/A option where you can also get any questions answered.
I recommend the online prenatal course for couples. It is the most comprehensive on-demand course available online and is taught by an RN with 20 years of experience working and delivering.
I also have another post with the 14 best birthing classes online that you can read if you don’t think it’s right for you.
The biggest benefit of these is your ability to:
- Squeeze them in easily on busy days — all classes in the Online Prenatal Course for Couples are under 20 minutes, which allows you to wear it while eating if things are tight.
- Review at your leisure — it’s an induction suddenly a choice — you can control it as you like.
- Scale to what you want — if you just want the basic course, it’s often cheaper than a package that might include more information (like breastfeeding).
Find a virtual classroom that fits
Ok, so you called the hospital, found that the 6-9pm class. on Tuesday doesn’t work for you — but you CAN do it on Thursday or Saturday morning.
If you REALLY want to stick with a live-taught class, there are live options out there.
I know Lamaze has some evidence based birth (both of which I share in my best post on childbirth classes).
For me, I just think these virtual classes can be:
- Actually pre-recordedso you don’t get a chance to talk to the teacher
- Full of technical problems if they are really alive. Your internet, teacher’s internet, students unmuting. You get the idea.
- Yet quite stiff, you will still need to adjust their design.
I think some of them give the lesson as a recording that you can watch at your leisure. It’s up to you if you think it’s better than an on-demand course.
I think these types of classes can be great for people who just know themselves well enough that they won’t do it unless it’s planned for them. However, you could just fit classes into your schedule and have a little more flexibility.
Personally, from what I’ve seen — on-demand classes are better recorded, edited, and more concise than virtual classes, so you should consider that as well.
Take the Marathon Weekend course
While hospitals often have a smaller class that they offer on consecutive weeks, there is sometimes a marathon weekend class that might tempt you.
As a nurse, I refused to teach these classes because I saw those glassy-eyed couples come for a tour.
honest, it’s just too much information for one day.
Most of the teachers are not that committed to keep your game going for a full 8-10 hours of learning. Even if it is, your brain starts to shut down.
It’s honestly too much. I don’t recommend them, but it might be an option if you really want to take a course at your hospital.
I AM a fan of it taking a tour of your hospital. Some offer them essentially post-Covid, but they usually have lots of good information about what to expect when you go, where to park etc. – just puts your mind at ease. These should be free (and many couples tour a couple’s hospital to choose which one to deliver to).
Hire a Personal Tutor
If you like the idea of one-on-one interaction with the teacher, there are people who teach one-on-one birth classes in your home.
I would encourage you to check out these teachers and see if you can watch them teach anything else to decide if they are right for you. I also recommend taking a class from someone with credentials to see all types of birth multiple ways/times before taking a class with them.
Because he is not alone downloading in the classroom, what matters is preparation. You want an expert to help you do just that.
SO there you have it — a few ways to fit a birth class into your busy life. Again, I recommend the Online Prenatal Course for Couples, but there are a lot of good options out there – so I hope you find one that works well for you!
