What Classes To Take When Pregnant

November 3, 2021

Bonus 7 The Ultimate Breastfeeding Class

Which Prenatal Classes Should I Take?

After leaving the hospital, its challenging for many moms to feel they have the hang of breastfeeding. Sure, theres the technical side. But then theres all those in between questions.

If youre set on giving breastfeeding your best shot, this course will help you get off on the right foot.

Course Length: Lifetime

The course covers:

How to increase milk production whenever you need to

Common mistakes women make that sabotage breastfeeding
And more!

Having that extra wing of support really does make a difference in your breastfeeding journey. Stacey is a certified lactation educator and is extremely passionate about helping mamas succeed at breastfeeding. If you decide to take this course, youre in good hands.

Childbirth Classes And C

If youre having a scheduled c-section, should you take a childbirth class? It may be worth itsome birth coaches even offer c-section specific courses or coaching sessions. Giving birth is a transformative rite of passage no matter how the baby emerges from the body, Smith says. Cesarean birth is just as psychologically and physically demanding as vaginal birth, though sometimes in different ways. Many birthing classes focus on resilience, coping skills and how to handle the unexpected, which can be important for those undergoing c-sections.

Unlike college, you wont flunk out if you dont attend a birthing class, and theres plenty of information to be found online and in books. But if you do have the time, it may be worth your while to attend a class to understand what the birth process may be like, ask any questions andlike collegemeet the people who may just become your future BFFs.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Best For Couples: The Online Prenatal Class For Couples

The Online Prenatal Class for Couples

Why We Chose It: This class really involves the birth partner in the preparation for birth, rather than just focusing on the birther. Partners learn to connect over their birthing decisions and learn about the birthing process together.

Taught by a labor and delivery nurse
Really involves the birth partner
Video and written materials included

Hands on assignments
Doesnt overload students with information

Some students may feel they want more information than is offered in the class

Doesnt coach you through pain management or breathing techniques

Grab your partner and get ready to tackle everything birthing-related in this three-part class that’s specifically designed for couples.

The Online Prenatal Class for Couples, taught by labor and delivery nurse Hilary Erickson, is for any pregnant person and partner who are planning a hospital/birth center delivery. Since this course begins and ends with both partners participating, it allows couples to be on the same page.

Each class includes a video with written materials and resources to supplement, plus a couple of discussion questions included after every chapter. Topics include third-trimester testing, signs of labor, the pain factor, types of births, contractions, inductions, and going home.

If you dont want the online video content, you can just purchase the basic version for approximately $35, which includes the e-book and couples’ workbook.

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What Your Teen May Be Feeling

Just a short time ago your teen’s biggest concerns might have been hanging out with her friends and wondering what clothes to wear. Now she’s dealing with morning sickness and scheduling prenatal visits. Her world has been turned upside down.

Most unmarried teens don’t plan on becoming pregnant, and they’re often terrified when it happens. Many, particularly younger teens, keep the news of their pregnancies secret because they fear the anger and disappointment of their parents. Some might even deny to themselves that they are pregnant which makes it even more important for parents to step in and find medical care for their teen as early in the pregnancy as possible. Younger teens’ pregnancies, in particular, are considered high risk because their bodies haven’t finished growing and are not yet fully mature.

Teen boys who are going to become fathers also need the involvement of their parents. Although some boys may welcome the chance to be involved with their children, others feel frightened and guilty and may need to be encouraged to face their responsibilities .

That doesn’t mean, however, that you should pressure your teen son or daughter into an unwanted marriage. Offer advice, but remember that forcing your opinions on your teen or using threats is likely to backfire in the long run. There’s no “one size fits all” solution here. Open communication between you and your teen will help as you consider the future.

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The Breastfeeding Basics Class

Reasons Not to Take Hospital Childbirth Classes

The breastfeeding basics class, one that I also attended in-person and with my husband, covered everything we needed to know for the first few weeks at home from positioning and latching to breast care. I left the class wishing that they would have covered even more tips for bottle-feeding breastmilk, pumping and returning to workhowever, after two and a half hours, we certainly learned a lot.

Heres what I liked about it:

Theres a lot that goes into breastfeeding a baby, so hearing the details, challenges and best practices was very helpful to understanding this feeding option.
My husband learned how he can support both me and the baby.

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, there are a lot of details that can be lost or forgotten on that busy day.

Partners of those who plan to breastfeed or are considering it.

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Bonus: 8 The Ultimate Back To Work Pumping Class

This course includes EVERYTHING you need to know to go strong for as long as you want to.

Sadly, many moms give up on their desire to breastfeed their baby either partially or exclusively because of the obstacles they face in the workplace.

Pumping at home to leave baby with daddy or grandma is much easier than trying to pump at home, at work, and store the milk during your shift. And if thats not enough, many work environments dont have rooms available to accommodate nursing moms.

So what typically happens? Mothers end up quitting simply because the hassle brings on too much extra stress.

But there is a way to make the transition back into work without ripping your hair out or sinking into depression because you just couldnt make it work.

This truly is the ultimate course that equips you for success throughout your breastfeeding journey while working.

Course length: Lifetime

Youll learn:

Tips on how to maximize milk expression
How to get your baby to take a bottle

Tips on how to ease your transition
Easy ways to build a freezer stash of milk on maternity leave
And more!

Youll learn everything from choosing the right pump to how to make plans with your employer.

If for some reason your breastfeeding journey does not go as planned or you do end up stopping altogether, I want you to know that you are NOT a bad mother. Your ability or desire to breastfeed your baby absolutely does NOT reflect the type of mother you are.

Tips For Handling Pregnancy At College

If youre a pregnant college student, you may be feeling like the odds are stacked against you. How can you possibly meet all of your schools expectations while still taking care of yourself and your baby? Its true that going to college or university while pregnant is a challenging experience. With some advance planning and collaboration with your professors and school administration, you can continue to be successful at school while pregnant.

Recommended Reading: Is It Safe To Donate Plasma While Pregnant

Bonus: Prenatal Exercise Classes

I am a huge fan of exercising during pregnancy, and I really think there are a lot of benefits to it. I highly recommend taking some kind of prenatal exercise class.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Prenatal Pilates
Prenatal Yoga Classes
Water Aerobics: I know, this might seem like something just for old people but it is seriously my favorite form of exercise once I reach the end of my pregnancies. Try it out!

Here are some great online pregnancy exercise videos.

When To Start Antenatal Classes

What Pilates Classes Should I Take While Pregnant? – Leah Stewart

Most formal antenatal classes start when you are between 26 to 32 weeks pregnant.

Classes are participant-led. This means that the members of the class decide the pace and have a say in the topics discussed in the class.

If you are expecting twins, or more, consider starting antenatal education early. Your babies may arrive early.

What Are Some Pros And Cons

Taking online birthing classes can be beneficial and effective for parents-to-be, especially for those whose location, schedules, or required bed rest dont allow them to take in-person classes. Additionally, parents-to-be can take the classes at their convenience and spend more time on the topics that are most relevant and helpful to them.

If you choose an online childbirth class, youll miss some of the hands-on activities and in-person interaction with the instructor and other expectant parents. Some online programs dont give participants the opportunity to ask the instructor questions. However, some online classes do have videos that simulate some of the demonstrations you would see at an in-person class. You may also have the ability to do a video conference with the instructor or submit questions in a chat or by email.

While taking an online birthing class may not be the ideal solution for everyone, it can be helpful as a supplement to in-person experiences or as a substitute for those who cant attend face-to-face classes.

When Your Teen Is Having A Baby

If your daughter is pregnant and planning to have the baby, many changes await your family. And though it’s certainly not what most parents expect, it happens every day: nearly 250,000 teenage girls in the United States give birth every year.

If your teen is about to become a mother , it can be overwhelming for all of you. How can you support your child through the challenges that lie ahead?

Be Prepared For Motherhood

Mama, if theres one thing I want you to take away, its realizing that you do have control over your labor and delivery.

It doesnt have to be a stressful thing to plan or endure. Taking an online childbirth class can do wonders in building your confidence and empowering you to create the experience you want to have.

I truly believe it is the preparation for childbirth that makes it bearable. Stop wishing you had it as easy and that other mom and start preparing your dream birth piece by piece.

Youve got this, mama!

Tell me in the comments which online birthing class you want to take online!

Please remember to pin me!

Why You Should Take An Early Pregnancy Class

Brian Levine, MD, MS, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

Learn What to Eat

Early pregnancy classes may sound like a waste of time, but the truth is, taking a class early on in your pregnancy, or even before pregnancy can be of great benefit. Here are some reasons why you should take an early pregnancy class:

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Wondering Which Type Of Class Would Be The Best Fit For You And Your Little One Here Are Several Fun Options To Consider

Parenting babies and toddlers provides an unmatched sense of joy, but lets face it: Finding ways to enrich and entertain kids on a regular basis can be exhausting not to mention a little mind-num bing. A potential solution for those days that seem to go on forever? Mommy and Me classes provide both socialization for mom or dad and a host of new skills for baby or toddler.

Wondering which Mommy and Me class would be the best fit for you and your little one? Here are eight fun options to consider:

Newborn Baby Care Specialization By University Of Colorado

While there is much that goes into making sure that babies are born healthy, there is much more to make sure that they are set up for success right from the start. This specialization that comprises five courses provides the skills you will need to keep newborn babies healthy in the initial weeks after they are born. The first course, Preventative Healthcare for the Newborn Baby, introduces medical interventions and screening tests that are a part of newborn care. The second course, The Newborn Assessment, walks you through physical examination from head to toe. You will start using medical equipment, such as a stethoscope or a pulse oximeter, for the examination and be able to identify abnormal findings. In Guidance to Keep Newborn Babies Safe and Healthy, the third course, you will learn to optimize nutrition, create a safe sleep environment for sleep, transport baby in their car safely, and respond to babys crying. Supporting Parents of a Newborn Baby equips you with skills necessary to best support parents, partners, and other caregivers. In Newborn Capstone, you will apply what you have learned to case studies. Have a look at the Best Healthcare Courses compiled by us.

This course is useful to healthcare workers and parents.

The University of Colorado offers this course.

You will learn newborn baby care skills.

The course material includes video lectures, formative in-video-questions, summative assessments, exemplar case studies, and learner case studies.

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Gain The Knowledge You Need To Thrive In The Fourth Trimester

Parenting a newborn is as much about you as it is your baby. A good baby care class acknowledges the fact that, yes, you are parenting a newborn, but youre doing so while youre in the fourth trimester.

You need time to recover and heal during this period as well.

A baby care class can provide valuable informationlike how to comfortably nurse a newborn when you have a C-section scar to deal withso you can thrive during this transition.

They Help Children Develop New Skills

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You can have all the flashcards in the world for your child, but some skills can only be learned through hands-on experience.

In addition to helping your child adjust to being with people outside their immediate family, these classes can foster independence, help kids adapt to new surroundings, teach empathy and expose toddlers to the concept of sharing, says Susan Newman, author of Little Things Long Remembered: Making Your Children Feel Special Every Day.

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How To Find An Antenatal Class

Most maternity services run antenatal classes. There is also a wide range of private classes available. Ask your midwife or doctor what they recommend.

Antenatal classes are often run by a midwife, physiotherapist or lactation consultant, but you can also find private classes run by a doula , yoga practitioner or someone trained in a specific birthing technique.

Consider Online Classes During The First Year

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

If you can arrange it, try to take all or mostly online classes during the first year of your babys life. The flexibility of these classes mean that you can arrange your schoolload to work with your babys feeding schedule and nap times.

You also wont need to leave your little one with a caregiver, as you can be home with them.

Finally, online classes mean you dont need to go anywhere, so if you have a sleepless night, you can try to sleep in a little bit .

University of the People offers entire degrees online, and being tuition-free, this is an excellent option for you as you navigate your way through being a new mom. It is also a US accredited university that provides options to transfer your credits to other on-campus schools and you wont have to worry about employers accepting the degree. With degrees in health science, computer science, business administration, and education, theres a degree for the most in-demand jobs today.

Just because you are at the stage of your life where you are having a baby does not mean you need to pause or end your school plans or career trajectory. Keep on studying, working, or doing whatever it is that makes you happy! If you do choose to pause your studies, know that thats okay too. Every womans path is different, and you decide what is best for you and your family, including being pregnant in college.

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When To Have Antenatal Classes

You might be able to attend introductory classes on baby care early in pregnancy, but most antenatal classes start around 8 to 10 weeks before your baby is due, when youre around 30 to 32 weeks pregnant.

If you’re expecting twins, start your classes when you’re around 24 weeks pregnant because your babies are more likely to be born early. Some units offer special antenatal classes if youre expecting multiples ask your midwife about this.

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Being pregnant in college can seem daunting, but with the right preparations, you can successfully be a great student and a great mother as well. It is important that you know your rights as a pregnant student, get the right gear, make a good schedule, manage your symptoms, and take care of your health. If you can get all those things down, youll have a much easier time during your pregnancy in college.