Product: Laugh and Learn About Childbirth - Lamaze and Beyond (2003)
Rating: 4.0
Very informative and convenient--but annoying at times
This DVD is divided into 6 classes, just as a regular, live prenatal course would be. The classes are1. Anatomy and Preliminary Signs of Labor (31:45)2. Three Actual Signs of Labor and Two Breathing Techniques (57:50)3. Labor and Delivery (49:25)4. Pushing and Third Breathing Technique (49:25)5. Medications Used in Labor, Induction, Forceps, Vacuum, and Monitoring (56:50)6. Cesarean Delivery, Post-op C/S, and Postpartum Vaginal Delivery (40:50)As a physician, I recommend it. I purchased this because my husband and I had way too much going on (moving, new jobs, etc.) during this pregnancy, and could not find a class that fit our schedule.Sheri Bayles is extremely informative and experienced. She explains everything clearly and with good diagrams and props. She is very organized. She seems friendly.CONS:--Sheri has annoying mannerisms and really wants you to think she's a comedienne. If you can overcome this, you will learn a LOT from her.--The set is really far from being aesthetically pleasing.--Most of the moms don't look like they're REALLY participating; not great models for you. They also look like they stepped out of the 1980s, even though this was filmed in the 21st century.The cons are small, though. This is very informative, if you can get past the annoying mannerisms and overall lack of prettiness to this video.I liked having the classes laid out as a "real" class would have been. Sheri does a good job of making one class relevant to the next. I also enjoyed the convenience of this DVD; my husband and I were able to take this to work and play it on our computers, then watch it at home together, then review one final time, something you don't get to do if you take a live class.So...I give it 5 stars for information, organization, and memorable delivery. I only gave it 4 stars overall because of the ugly-to-look-at-ness and the sometimes annoying qualities of the teacher. The information that lies therein is very, very high-quality. I'd buy this DVD again despite its minor shortcomings.