Hello girls,

I would like to know who will conduct birthing classes? I mean is it the hospital which we selected or are there any special institutes? Do they have extra charges for it? If yes, will the insurance cover them? hopingfortejas replied. Hi ..

i also had the same Q as blessed_mom as we have also not started looking into that yet , Thanks TA for answering it ... :)

-P TA replied. Hi Blessed_mom,

How are you? If I remember right you are in the US so I will tell you what I know about it. Birthing classes can be conducted by 1)hospital 2) your own ob-gyn practice 2) private midwives. Options 1 and 2 are most likely handled by a nurse educator. If you take Option 1 offered in the same hospital that you will deliver it might give you an advance insight into the procedures of that hospital. The course content will be based on labor, breathing etc. It will allow you to ask questions about that hospital's normal practices.

The birthing classes offered by midwives are wonderful and truly woman centered. However, some of what they teach might be different from your hospital's philosophy. Midwives try to us as few medical interventions as possible whereas hospitals are quite the opposite! Most people that I know opt for the classes offered by hospitals atleast for the first baby.

the charges are not covered by insurance. When I took it 4 years back my former employee allowed me to use the fees as an MSA (medical savings account) expense. But not anymore. You could check if it applies to you. I don't remember what it costed. I think it was under $100.

I found the classes very useful especially in educating my husband. It definitely gave him a better appreciation for what I was going through! I even took the infant care class just so that he can be more involved.

Hope this helps. Take care, TA