Do I need Childbirth Classes?
One of the advantages of taking a childbirth preparation class is that it’ll give you the opportunity to ask questions about the pregnancy in a more relaxed setting than the doctor’s office. You’ll also get a chance to hang out with other expecting couples and listen to the women swap stories about how much weight they’ve gained, how much their joints hurt, how many times they get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night that you interesting.
Most childbirth classes operate on the belief that the more you learn about pregnancy and birth—from exercise and nutrition to the difference between an epidural and a spinal—the more in control you’ll feel and the less you’ll have to fear. Classes typically last five to nine weeks and usually run about $100 to $200. Most are offered either privately or through local hospitals so check with your doctor or the maternity ward for a referral.