CWMoms Blog | Carrie Hutton MOM Blog: Childbirth Class Pt. 2

Friday, July 18, 2008

Childbirth Class Pt. 2

We completed our childbirth education class last night at Saint Clare's and have the diploma to prove it! The second session focused a lot on what the coaches should do in labor and I really hadn't thought before about how much it should really help to have their comfort. I just figured they would stand around and maybe bring food! From verbal encouragement to massage (even with tennis balls on the back!), I really liked the concepts and can imagine my husband using a lot of them for me.

Another really helpful thing was seeing the tools of the trade. I could see up close the medical devices used for fetal monitoring, breaking the water, epidural needle, even the vaccuum to help babies out didn't look as scary as I imagined.

That brings me to the last point I'll dwell on from now one I suppose. I really like the idea of being in control of my labor and not knocked out or kept in bed. I know, I know, I know, I will likely wuss out in the end but I can envision myself walking the halls, taking a bath, rotating between standing and sitting and try my best to avoid being hooked up to wires on the bed. If I do get the epi, I'd like to start with a lower dose. My husband had one when he got a cortisone shot and could still walk around later.

I am willing to be flexible in my "plan" and go with the flow. I don't look forward to pain (who does) but I want to be aware of everything and look at this as a very special experience. So much can happen and it's very intimidating to me right now but I figure if women have always done this then, so can I, right?

We both really liked the phrase our instructor (Janet) told the class and I will try to remember it come labor-time- Trust Birth!

I'd be curious to hear about your birth plans, what changed and what worked for you. Carrie

7 Comments:

Yes, Carrie, you can do this!
Amy K.

By Anonymous, At July 18, 2008 6:14 PM

I LOVED Janet. I saw her when I first was in labor, but I later decided to go home 6 hrs later, as my labor was not progressing much. She told me as I was leaving to do the following test: If during your contraction your belly feels as firm as your nose, you are in early labor. If your belly is as firm as your forehead, start heading to the hospital. And if your belly is as firm as your chin during the contraction, then you better be at the hospital! It was so helpful, as I had a 24 hour labor. I decided to labor at home for 18 hours until I could no longer stand it. Beth was my nurse then, and she was AWESOME! I think you will be happy with all the nurses at St. Claire's.
As for my birth plan? Yeah- I didn't follow a damn thing on it! Janet came a day after I had my baby to check in on me and I told her that my birth plan was a joke. She totally disagreed and told me that it was a good idea that I had at least thought about it and that it was okay to make adjustments as the need arises.

Sorry so long!
~Jenny M

By Anonymous, At July 18, 2008 10:14 PM

I had my son at St. Clares last year- the slushies were the best thing!! I brought a Josh Groban cd with. That helped alot. I wound up getting an epidural which was not part of "the plan" but neither was Pitocin.
In the end, you will do what is right for you.

By Anonymous, At July 19, 2008 12:07 AM

I am glad to hear that the nurses were so helpful. I also plan to bring music, soak in the jacuzzi tub and try the slushies!

By Carrie, At July 20, 2008 8:04 PM

My birth plan? E-P-I-D-U-R-A-L Im such a wimp. With Mikey, I didnt get one until about an hour before he was born, so it didnt really count. With Max, I had one as soon as I was uncomfortable. I really enjoyed his birth. I was completely aware of everything, and it was so much more relaxing. Jack. . . he was such a big baby, that the epidural was the only think that worked!

Ive heard a lot of really good things about jacuzzis and labor. And my husband massaging my lower back was great.

By Carole, At July 21, 2008 4:05 PM

I delivered my first baby the day we were supposed to have our birth classes, 5 weeks early. Nothing went as planned, but I had a healthy baby to show for it. She spent just over two weeks in the NICU and has done wonderfully.

My birth experiences have taught me to go with the flow and focus more on the outcome and not so much on the process.

By ~Denise~, At July 22, 2008 8:56 PM

I agree with the last comment....different things work for different people, and don't be disappointed if it doesn't go as you planned!! I thought I would love to soak in the jaccuzzi tub....but got in it for about 10 seconds and asked to get out!! I was naked, wet, and still in ALOT of pain and hated it! (it felt great AFTER she was born however :)

By Anonymous, At July 25, 2008 2:39 AM

Friday, July 18, 2008

Childbirth Class Pt. 2

7 Comments:

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