Laugh and Learn About Childbirth Reviews

• The BEST

  
  By A2X6VC9IDVN6G1 on 2007-07-04
  Very Informative and Helpful. My wife and I could not make it to the Lamaze classes and we still glad we didn't. This video is great. My wife and I enjoy watching it, and learned a lot. The baby came out like a piece of cake (my wife doesn't agree on that one completely) but we both knew what we where doing)
  We read the reviews that mostly criticized Sheri's sense of humor but we took a chance. Her humor is not that bad actually. She gets funny and sometimes goes a bit over the edge, however she is very knowledgeable and definitely has a talent of teaching. When she is describing important stuff she is serious and right on the point.
  Some reviews criticized the quality of film making. I am professional photographer and my wife is an art teacher and we both studied film in college. In our opinion the cinematography part of the video is quite appropriate, informative video doesn't have to be a master piece.
  Highly recommend it.
  
  
  

• Hard program to watch

  
  By A36YVQQ7X9LKM2 on 2007-10-29
  This dvd is very difficult to watch. The instructor is very annoying. Her
  inappropriate, unprofessional comments clearly make the couples in the class very uncomfortable. We were actually shocked by some of her poor attempts at humor. The entire program consists of this instructor lecturing to a small group of expectant couples, using outdated props and pointing to diagrams from old childbirth classes. You never get a real sense of what labor and birth are really like. Comfort measures and breathing techniques are extremely limited. All she does is lecture to this class. The format is boring and the content limited.
  There are better ways to prepare for childbirth.
  
  
  
  

• Laugh and learn

  
  By A1ZBZOKAKBQPCB on 2007-06-04
  
  Our biggest concern was retaining all the information one 8 hour lamaze class was going to give. The DVD's were very helpful because we could watch it and retain the information at our own pace, although we procrastinated until very last moment to finish the DVD. It was extremely helpful to be able watch it at the very moment we needed it ( the evening I went into delivery ). Sherri kept us laughing while we learned----- " a mucus what ! " and prepared us for one of the greatest moments in our lives.
  
  
  -Shakima Duncan
  
  
  
  

• Pretty darn good

  
  By A3USQEGR1WMK9V on 2007-08-14
  We got the DVDs because we wanted the information, but didn't want to sit in a room full of strangers to get it, and we wanted to be flexible with our schedule. These DVDs are perfect for those criteria. Plus, we can watch them more than once and review specific parts on our schedule. Others have complained about the humor, but I don't see it as any worse than what you'd probably hear at any other seminar; she's just trying to be entertaining. The only downside is that she seems to "encourage" natural childbirth and "discourage" use of drugs. I would prefer if she would give the pros and cons of both and leave it at that. Otherwise, they are terrific and I would definitely recommend them.
  
  

• Worth every penny

  
  By AYOP0HQQDO608 on 2007-08-13
  We had been searching for childbirth classes and could only find classes that cost around $150. Most of them were only 1 day and would last around 8 hours. We decided to try out this DVD class first. We love it. She is funny but has managed to communicate a lot of knowledge. Plus we can review when we get closer to the actual birth.
  
  
• First Time Mother/Grandmother
  By A1JM0TAGLHT3P0 on 2007-07-25
  I bought this for my daughter who is having her first child, (my first grandchild). Lamaze has changed quite a bit since I took Lamaze classes when I was pregnant with her. We loved the tapes! They were very insightful, funny and calmed her fears. In fact, when she went to her next doctor's appt, she was quoting some of the things she learned. The doctor was very impressed! I would recommend this for any first time mother.
  
  
• Perfect alternative for my husband and I
  By A2DX4Z3RPX7ZRW on 2007-10-31
  My husband and I are not the "birthing class type." But we wanted to know as much as we could about what to expect in childbirth. So instead of taking classes, we are watching this video. We watched 1 class a week, like a real class would be. That way we didn't have information overload. It was nice to be able to pause it and start it whenever we wanted to. A friend of mine took a birthing class, and I was giving her information she didn't learn in the live class, so I feel I'm getting a lot of knowledge. I had watched the older version from the library first and decided to go ahead and buy this updated version to have and watch w/ hubby. The other thing I like is we have the ability to review sections as the time gets closer to due date. I would purchase this as a gift for any expectant mother in the future too. My husband and I both really like it. Oh, and I've also watched the other 2 DVDs by the same lady (one on newborn care and one on breastfeeding), and those have been very helpful too!
  
  
• Buy It
  By A22XZ0FJMSSE2K on 2007-12-23
  I purchased this for my wife and I. We're expecting child number one and wanted as much information as possible. Like other dads I really didn't enjoy the books, but this DVD had all the answers.
  
  Easy to watch.
  Everything you need to know.
  No video footage of live births or other scare tactics.
  
  
  
  
• Great info! Just buy it and thank Sheri later.
  By A3BEPP8R6OB8PD on 2008-03-09
  The DVD was a welcomed relief for me! I had no clue what a Lamaze class was about and I thought I'd be sitting in front of the TV with my fiance for the entire time doing the "he he hoo" bit. That's not it at all! I'm an information junkie and Sheri really explains to you a lot of the medical terms that they'll use that you normally wouldn't understand. Like when someone says, "Shes 100%, -2 and 3" it means that you're 100% effaced, the baby has dropped to the -2 station (-4 is when the baby is past the pubic bone) and 3 centimeters dilated.
  She gives examples of the different positions you can use to birth your little bundle of joy and what makes them work for the different situations. Also there isn't that annoying feeling of her talking directly to the camera since she is talking to the couples on set/class. Yes, she does go overboard with the humor sometimes but only sometimes. There were tons of times I was sitting on the couch just rolling with laughter as she talked about some funny stories that happened to her as a labor nurse and some demonstrations of "what you should sound like when you call the doctor as your contractions become five minutes apart."
  Overall this is the best information I have gotten during my entire pregnancy and I've spent a small fortune on other literature. I'm bringing my portable DVD player and this video to my birth just so I can feel calmed.
  
  
• Good video, not as cheesy as people say
  By A2YLBVEAHMRKV8 on 2008-05-12
  I was very happy with this DVD set (and in fact just ordered the breastfeeding DVD from the same instructor). I watched it in lieu of attending childbirth classes and do not regret that decision. I had read several books about labor and delivery, etc., and can't say that the video really contained a lot of new information but it brought the information together nicely and made me feel more prepared overall. I also appreciated the fact that the instructor did not spend a lot of time on breathing techniques and did not overly emphasize natural childbirth. Instead, she discussed the desirability of postponing medications until the labor is well underway because of the cascade effect of interventions (which seems sensible to me). But she certainly didn't try to push going natural all the way. As for the humor, it's not anywhere near as bad as some other reviews have made it out to be.
  
  
• Extremely Helpful, Entertaining, and Beautiful!
  By A3G0OHLE9O1SVM on 2007-05-13
  I had seen an older version of this video at a friend's house, and decided to buy it for myself. When I saw this updated version (it's brand new it seems!) I figured I'd give it a try- and I love it! First of all, I love the fact that there are all these diverse couples in the video, and that at the very end, you get to see them all with their adorable babies!! But more importantly, I just like the way the instructor - Sheri Bayles- makes it incredibly easy to understand all this stuff you need to know about your pregnancy. And she's funny, too!
  Thanks to Sheri, I feel much more prepared and less nervous about the pregnancy, and I can only recommend her video-class to everybody who likes to learn about pregnancy on their own time and wants to have a little fun doing so, too!
  
  
• Great preparation at your own pace
  By A2DPB9KLH5N1HG on 2007-07-12
  Although childbirth classes were available in our relatively rural community, we were unable to attend due to work commitments. We were very happy with this DVD. Sheri is a well informed instructor who presented material in an accessible format and even managed to keep us entertained with a little humor. One wonderful aspect about the DVD is that you are able to advance at your own pace - Watch the DVD in one day or take a 'class' a week, whatever works with your schedule. Two components offered at local childbirth classes and unavailable on the DVD were breastfeeding techniques and a tour of the local hospital. Hospitals should be accomodating about arranging visits and there are plenty of breastfeeding resources available (books, videos, La leche leagues, and lactation counselors). I would definitely recommend this DVD to others.
  
  
• All I needed to know...
  By A1YM4RWLE4HT9L on 2007-07-23
  I am really enjoying this DVD. It answers everything you need to know and makes me feel like I know what to expect when the big day comes! I have watched this video over and over by chapters and take notes simply because it's hard to take in so much information at once. What made me happier was to see the couples in Sheri's group get together for a reunion after they had delivered. I would have liked to hear the couples experiences in delivery, though. I appreciate a light and easy going environment and attitude as she teaches this video.
  
  
• Very Interesting.
  By A1EUH0C43RM5S5 on 2007-07-24
  Attending childbirth classes was not something that I was interested in. Plus the classes were on a night that I had to work. I did a little research and found this DVD. After reading some of the other reviews I decided to purchase it. I LOVED it! I learned much more from the video than I would reading a book. Plus, if you want to review before the big day, you can re-watch. Extemely worth the money. I was a little nervous, when I read that some people thought the instructer was not very funny. Neither one of us thought she was too funny, but she wasn't annoying. Once again I loved it. So if you're not going to birthing classes this is a must see. It made me much more relaxed.
  
  
• Helpful and informative
  By A3DF7YA7S6FMJ4 on 2007-07-28
  I was pleased with this dvd. My husband and I learned a lot of new information that we did not know and it was presented in a way that relaxes you about childbirth especially if it is your first baby.
  
  
• This DVD really helped me
  By A228R7IE5H3EE0 on 2007-08-13
  My husband and I were unable to find any classes in our area that would work for us, so we purchased this DVD. We found it very helpful! I loved that I could go back to it and watch certain parts over again to refresh my memory. If we had gone to a class, I wouldn't have had that luxury. Once I went into labor, I knew exactly what to do and I was able to make it without any drugs. The nurses at the hospital were all asking me if I had gone to a class and I told them about the DVD. They said it must have been good because I did everything perfectly. I would highly recommend this DVD!
  
  
• Great For All Expecting Couples!!
  By A3H86VLU5431S5 on 2007-10-06
  This DVD is great! My mother-in-law bought it for us because we weren't able to go to a birthing class and I thought "Oh great." But it was really informative, interesting, and amusing all at the same time. It doesn't feel like you're watching a 4 and a half hour video. Plus you can always go back and review the material. The woman on the video keeps your attention and makes it fun. My wife and I ordered the other two videos right after watching this one. I would recommend this video for any soon-to-be parents.
  
  
• Excellent DVD
  By AEGOCJS5V2V4H on 2007-11-29
  My husband and I watched this DVD together because neither of us were comfortable with going to the classes and didn't really have the time anyway. We both enjoyed watching it...it was easy to understand and the humor wasn't as cheesy as we expected it to be. Some of it was actually quite humorous because I could relate to what they were talking about. I can't really say whether the information helped in the end because I didn't end up needing the information (I ended up having an emergency c-section a month early) but after watching the DVD I definitely felt more ready for the experience and learned many new things. I really liked that they had a bunch of pregnant couples in the video and not just one person talking. I definitely recommend this DVD. It's easy to watch and they make sure you understand everything before they move on. Plus, unlike the live classes, you can rewatch this as many times as you want/need.
  
  
• Extremely Informative
  By AIVK2B6DIEDN3 on 2007-05-17
  I bought this for a friend and she is very happy with it. She said it answered all of her questions, and the convenience aspect was great. She and her husband are very busy and this allowed them to fit it into their schedule. Another big bonus is it was much less expensive than the class they were going to take at the hospital.
  
  
• Helpful.
  By A3OT9O6RKHYA62 on 2007-07-07
  My husband and I didn't take a lamaze class, because of time contraints, and instead opted just to read various books and watch this DVD together. We learned a great deal about the terminology used to describe the various stages of labor and procedures sometimes preformed in hospitals. The instructor is sometimes a little annoying but not so much so that it's hard to watch the DVD. One thing that annoyed me a little was that at times I felt more nervous about the birthing process and my ability to handle labor pains after watching segments. When in labor I didn't find the "intensity" that she describes to be accurate, personally. I was well able to tolerate the contractions without acting as she often dramatized in the program and managed to give birth without pain meds. Overall though my husband and I learned a great deal and would recommend the DVD.
  
  
• Entertaining and informative
  By A1NC9XEQJY7TS9 on 2007-08-29
  My husband and I were told by many friends to skip the lamaze classes because they are a waste of time. We were told that the nurses and doctors would tell us what to do when the time comes. We wanted to have some understanding of what to expect during the labor and delivery, so we opted to buy this video. I am so happy that we did. The video does not explain what we should do, rather it gives a preview of what to expect.
  
  Sheri has a goofy way of giving expamples, but my husband and I were greatful that she was not a robot in explaining so much information. The video is a little over 4 hours long, and we were highly entertained so it only took us 2 days to watch it. Sheri repeats the information to help with understanding, and the class asked questions which we were thinking about.
  
  We were also happy that she did not add any real births since we can watch that on the Discovery Channel. The video is well made and wonderfully informative. I am still nervous about childbirth, but it's not from a lack of what to expect. My husband enjoyed this video and the breastfeeding video by Sheri so much that he asked me to purchase her entire series. This from a man who waited 3 weeks to watch the video with me because he wasn't all that interested. Now he feels prepared and ready to assist me when our baby is born.
  
  
• Good Information
  By A34HYUFD5WIPST on 2007-11-28
  I agree that her delivery of the information can be a little silly or goofy, but this DVD is worth buying. It contains alot of good information. My husband and I did not want to go to child birth classes. Instead we bought and watched this DVD. It saved us time and money! It also allowed us to learn at our own pace and in the comfort of our own home.
  
  
• Preparing for Baby
  By A1B3U9GH4BIUW9 on 2007-12-18
  This DVD is perfect for my daughter and her boyfriend as they are preparing for the birth of their first child. They appreciate being able to view it at home together, at their own pace, and in their own timeframe. With work and school schedules the way they are, planning outside classes was nearly impossible. They are enjoying the humor as well as the information included in this excellent presentation of labor and childbirth preparation.
  
  
• Glad we watched it!
  By A1AZVYQW1EOG37 on 2008-02-06
  As a first time Mom-to-be, with a husband who works sporadic hours at work, it was really difficult for us to commit to a childbirth class. I searched the internet and read many reviews on online or dvd childbirth classes, and decided to go with Laugh and Learn about Childbirth DVD. I wanted my husband to be farmiliar with the terms used in labor and the overall process- but at the same time, didn't want to shock or scare him at all. He tends to be a bit nervous around blood and guts!
  This DVD was great! It was extremely informative and lighthearted. Humor and joking around is used to bring home the important information in a way that my husband appreciated a lot. I like that the DVD is broken up into 6 half hour sessions, so you have watch it on your own time. Although it is meant to be a tool for first time Moms, there is a couple in the DVD who is having thier second child so it can be useful to second time Moms, as well. In conclusion, if you don't have a ton of time for a class, you want a cheaper alternative, your husband is clueless and squimish about birth (no actual lady parts are shown in the dvd!!!)or you may feel more comfortable learning at your own speed in your own home..............I strongly suggest this DVD!!! You won't regret it!!
  
  
• Engaging and Complete
  By A2A72KNCRUWJ3Z on 2008-02-08
  I felt that this video was worth the money because of the number of segments and length. I, being a high school teacher, liked the way she enthusiastically taught the course. I also took a hopsital course and together they were very helpful. The materials in this video may be more up-to-date than what my hospital taught, so I'm grateful for that as well. The other nice part is that it thoroughly covers what to expect post-partum.
  
  
• good information
  By A24THD4917D6V3 on 2007-07-22
  you wont' need to go to a child-birthing class after watching this dvd. lots of practical information, well organized. would highly recommend.
  
  
• Great DVD!
  By A30BH4XRLZ70CF on 2007-07-22
  Being 7 months pregnant and having a 2 year old, going to the hospital 45 minutes away for 4 - 6 classes was really not an option.
  
  So we decided to buy this DVD. The reviews seemed pretty good. Both my husband and I thought this video was terrific! It was extremely informative with a lot of good information. It is presented in a light hearted format and will make you laugh and keep you entertained.
  
  I would highly recommend this DVD for all the information you need to be informed about childbirth!
  
  
• Great at-home class!
  By A20C2XHD51S54 on 2007-08-14
  The classes were very informative and easy to watch. The time went fast because the leader was down-to-earth, yet explained even "uncomfortable" issues in easy understandable terms. I would recommend this DVD for any new mother-to-be.
  
  
• Perfect if you can't attend a childbirth class in person
  By A17K73XHUH39Z4 on 2007-08-17
  This DVD childbirth education program was perfect for us since we couldn't attend a chilld birth class in person. It was presented in a straightforward way with lots of humor so we didn't get bored. Material is presented in a way that makes it easy to understand and remember.
  
  
• Very Informative and Entertaining!
  By A2KCWZ1WV0BVZ8 on 2007-09-27
  I highly recommend this DVD! I ordered this for the birth of my second child since we lacked the time to attend a 12 week class. This offered more information than the childbirth class that I took with my first pregnancy. In fact, if I had this information the first time, things would have been done differently. She provides thorough information on pre-labor and labor that equips parents for what to REALLY expect. She also offers the pros and cons of medication commonly used during labor that many OBs do not tell you. I appreciated her humor: she makes you laugh at the events of pregnancy and childbirth that we (women) complain about. She has a great teaching style that I think benefits the fathers and helps them to understand and remember what will happen during the course of labor and delivery.
  
  

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