We did the hospital classes with ds1 and found them to be totally useless in preparing you for labour. Second time around we did a calmbirth course which was just amazing, I totally recommend it, it really helped you to relax and let go and to not tense up, and to stay calm and focused, I was so calm and quiet that the midwife didn't realise I was fully dilated. I found it was also really useful in helping you deal with any issues or fears you may have about the birth so that you are in the right head space. I see you're in Sydney, there are a number of calmbirth classes around, try googling it.
Dh said he found the Active Birth class we did more useful for him than the normal classes. They really helped him understand what was required of him as birth support. I found it fitted in quite well and filled the gaps that the normal classes missed. I like the classes as they were run by the family birth centre, so were very focused on minimal intervention and also focused in the early stuff when bubs finally arrives.
Our classes were run by our hospital and I'm glad we did them as it gave us the opportunity to ask LOTS of questions and also got to meet a great bunch of people who were due around the same time and whom we've kept in contact with. I was glad to know exactly what we could expect and what could/would happen. We got to see the birthing suites and all the ins and outs, so to speak.
As i had GD during my PG I wanted to know about the additional things I could experience as I'd been told I could expect intervention but as it was I went naturally 11 days early and went with an epi for my birth (threw up terribly with the gas) with no other intervention required. My OB/midwife were fantastic and didn't try to rush my labour along.
The classes showed DH some massage techniques which helped during the labour and also some basics like putting on nappies and how to support breastfeeding which for my DH was useful as he'd had extremely limited interaction with babies prior to ours. As DH has no idea what to expect with the birth it also focused on preparing the hubbies for what was going to happen, what they might expect to see, how they can support/help in certain situations, things that they may need to make a decision on if we were unable to etc etc.
As it turned out, our antenatal leader was our nursery attendant as DD was in nursery the first night from low blood sugars so it was a HUGE relief to have someone that we got to know so well during the classes looking after her. We also had the midwife who showed us breastfeeding techniques ended up delivering our DD along with my OB.
I guess it really just does depend on your Dr/OB and hospital. I loved our combination and will use the exact same thing again for any additions to our family. I think the more questions you ask during the classes the better prepared you'll be no matter what the outcome may be. I found the classes gave me an open mind to all the possibilities and meant that I was completely prepared if I was able to birth without any intervention AND the possibilities if i needed intervention which for me with GD was a good chance. I am ALL FOR natural birthing without intervention (our bodies are made for this exact purpose) but I also know that there are times when intervention is needed and as long as that darling baby is born into the world safe and well that is all you can possibly ask for, however on the emotional homefront, preparation and an open mind will ensure baby is healthy and you are too, with whatever outcome may be.
You may find that a combination of an antenatal class at your hospital, so you know the hospitals options and then a natural birthing class such as the ones suggestion will give you a really broad range of information to take in and keep on board.. That way you will be able to find a middle ground, should you need to, that makes you comfortable and makes for a relaxing and successful labour.
P.S. I so love reading about everyone's different experiences with this type of thing but its disappointing that what one person found really useful can be absolutely a waste of time for others. Don't you wish this stuff was all regulated so we all got the same great information!!!
P.S. Water_Lily80 - Great phrase!!! Should be one to keep in the memory log.. I had 1 midwife really early on in my labour who wanted to give me sintocin after an hour or so (got to hosi 3cm dialated. Up to 5cm in 1 hour).. She asked my OB and he gave her an immediate NO as did the other assisting midwife. Thankfully the pushy one went off shift shortly after but I would have been giving them a good "Can we have 5 minutes to think about that"..
I learnt nothing useful at my antenatal classes as far as content was concerned but it was good to meet some of the midwives, meet some other parents and get to know the hospital staff and procedures better. it was good to bounce questions off the midwife so I could gauge how they would react in certain situations in our birth. We didn't go for no. 2 but we did have a hospital appointment at 36wks with the midwives which was just as good.
PP- my BGF at the time told me that and it always stuck with me... lol its so true!
As for the OP's question... we learnt that there are VERY nasty and old fasioned midwives out there.. took two classe's with this one and never went back!
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