Parentcraft classes - worth it even if ELCS/EMCS likely?

[SoHHKB]

Brief history - parentcraft classes weren't offered when I had dd (6). Planned homebirth, transferred due to high blood pressure then EMCS for undignosed breech.
Now 28 weeks with ds - been booked for scan at 36 weeks, have been told if breech I'll be booked for ELCS. Not keen terrified about repeating surgery so don't feel like ELCS is 'easy option' (if there is such a thing!) Would prefer a wait and see approach in the naive hope of a natural birth...
Do parentcraft classes give info on CS? Anyone think it'd help me get over my irrational fear? Not too bothered about other info they offer - baby care, breastfeeding etc. My dd coped

[BikeRunSki]

Mine were much more than just about the giving birth bit.

[GrandPoohBah]

I went to mine yesterday, and actually it covered CS as much as VBs - we did a really interesting exercise where she showed us who would be in the room with you, things like that. It was a lot more wide ranging than just 'birth', I was impressed.

[ThreeWheelsGood]

Yes, my classes were underattended - you can tell the person leading the class at the beginning about your situation, they should be able to impart lots of relevant info. Also there was lots I wouldn't have otherwise learnt about my specific hospital's procedures, it taught my DH a lot too.

[wheresmespecs]

I think tbh if it is more worries about cs than anything else, you are better off talking to a consultant or making an appt to see your mw, and telling them specifically you are worried about surgery, and can they talk you through it etc.

If you think knowing more about it would help, of course!

Individual classes vary so much.... and they are classes, so you may have to deal with other people's anxieties about caesarians, which might not help. Also, if you are susses abut baby care, breastfeeding etc, then you might end up sitting through a lot of info you aren't interested in in the hope of getting some reassurance about cs.

[Marmiteisyummy]

Can't help with classes as a never did any before DS (work in hospitals and knew far too much already about what was coming!).
Just to mention though that there is a natal hypnotherapy for cs preparation cd which may be worth a look. I used the one for hospital birth and found it fantastic for relaxation.
Hope you find a way to get through this without too much stress. Best of luck.

[SoHHKB]

Thanks for all your responses

[Smallgreenone]

Remember an elcs will be much calmer than an emcs so you might not be so terrified. Healing time is usually a bit better too.

[Runningblue]

You can be in labour a long time before a emergency c section (sorry to be so positive!) so yes all the techniques, breathing patterns, positions for dealing with pain management would be as useful to you IMO as someone who vaginally delivers.

And you get to meet the midwives, possibly visit the unit etc, which you might not otherwise get the chance to.

So in my humble opinion, I'd take whatever class they gave me! I'm on baby two, and was told by midwife that the hospital classes are only for first time mums... Lovely, thanks for that

[scriptbunny]

I'd second the suggestion that you do the classes. I had an EMCS after a number of hours in labour and the labour part of the class helped with that. Also they did cover CS and we did that exercise where they tell you who everyone is in the room and what their role is, which weirdly made me feel part of a team when I had to have mine. That might just have been happy hormones... I would tend to argue that any good solid information is a help when dealing with nerves/worries.

SBx