Pregnancy stages, registry must-haves, labor and delivery advice, breastfeeding tips, newborn care techniques, life postpartum — phew! A lot goes into feeling prepared for pregnancy, birth, and life with a newborn. As a first-time mom, I spent a lot of my nine months of pregnancy attempting to understand pregnancy and baby prepping through reading blogs and books, talking to other mamas, and even attending a few classes.
So what did I find out? For starters, there are many effective ways to navigate the pregnancy and motherhood journey. Seriously. Some experts recommend one thing, while others recommend the opposite. However, they both had success and happy babies. So while things may not be so black and white, I found that taking the time to educate myself—and whether or not my husband wanted to know the information—helped us to feel prepared, increased my excitement for baby’s arrival, and set us all up for success.
A question I asked other moms and my doctor was, “What are the best classes to take during pregnancy, if any?” And just like with everything else, I received mixed reviews, so I decided to take them all. Let me break down your options for which classes to take during pregnancy.
Classes to Take During Pregnancy
The Newborn Care Class
As first-time parents, this class answered all of our I-feel-too-dumb-to-ask questions — all of them. From “How do you swaddle a baby?” and “Should I change their diaper before or after they eat?” to “What’s the best way to hold a baby?”, “What if I drop baby?” and “Are you sure we won’t break the baby?”—they covered it all. We took this class in person and at the hospital we planned to deliver at, so it was in a hands-on, small-group setting.
Here’s what I liked about it:
- We could try the techniques such as swaddling baby dolls, holding them, and changing their diapers.
- The in-person class allowed us to ask questions along the way.
- My husband and I walked out of the class on the same page about how we would care for the baby.
Who would find this class helpful:
- If you or your partner do not feel fully confident around new babies.
- If you or your partner have not been around babies in the last few years.
- Anyone who needs a refresher on newborn care.
The Breastfeeding Basics Class
The breastfeeding basics class I attended in person and with my husband covered everything we needed to know for the first few weeks at home — from breastfeeding positions and latching to breast care. I left the class wishing they would have covered even more, like tips for bottle-feeding breastmilk, pumping, and returning to work — however, after two and a half hours, we certainly learned a lot.
Here’s what I liked about it:
- A lot goes into breastfeeding a baby, so hearing the details, challenges, and best practices was very helpful in understanding this feeding option.
- My husband learned how to support me and the baby while breastfeeding.
- The in-person setting allowed for questions and practicing with a baby doll.
Who would find this class helpful:
- Anyone who has decided to breastfeed or is considering it. While you may be provided a lactation specialist following delivery, many details can be lost or forgotten on that busy day.
- Partners of those who plan to breastfeed or are considering it.
The Childbirth Class
Labor and delivery is the one area that this over-researched mama-to-be has not read too much about. There are so many scary stories out there, and I did not want to put fears in my mind that will probably never happen. To equip me with the basics of labor and delivery, I watched Baby Center’s birth videos (here).
Here’s what I liked about it:
- They covered the basics of labor and delivery in short segments.
- Watching online allowed me to skip topics if desired.
- I have a good understanding of what the delivery day could look like.
Who would find this class helpful:
- Mamas who want an overview of the delivery day without the scary stories.
- Partners who wish to be helpful during labor and birth but do not know what to expect with this big life event.
However, there are many options for birth classes, and I strongly suggest educating yourself and your partner before labor. You can take a hospital class, various online courses, a Bradley class, or Hypnobabies. There’s something for everyone!
So there you have it, the breakdown of classes to take during pregnancy for first-time parents! Are there any classes that you would add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
