Birthing Class - Share an interesting fact or tip

[leenziepops]

Hi Ladies, I think many of us are taking birthing classes or will start to soon or already have. Please share a fact or two in a couple of dot points that you find really helpful. Share something that you learnt or took away from the class that made you feel more positive about the birthing process. 

[Bluedaisy]

So far I think mine has been more helpful to make things get real for DH. Most of things that we've learned I'd already read so I found that the most interesting things are those that are specific for our hospital (what the rooms are like, etc).

[leenziepops]

- You want labour to stretch across hours so that your body and your baby has time to adjust to the change
- Oxytocin!!!! Read up on how to encourage the oxytocin flow and how to stem the adrenaline rush.

[wormgerm]

-forceps are gigantic frightening clinky salad tongs (I pictured them much smaller)
-pooping while pushing is a good thing for the care providers to see because it means you're pushing correctly
-amniotic fluid can be hilarious. Instructor was a doula for 17 years and had one labor where right after the baby came out a HUGE gush of fluid shot out and hit the new dad in the shoulder. She did a fun slo-mo Matrix move reenactment.

[cnumbers]

I'm starting mines on Wednesday but I'm nervous as FTM I don't know what to expect and I'm also a very shy person so I'm nervous about being around other moms ect.. I'm also scared that the reality will hit me!. Any advice ladies?. I'll probably keep quiet and listen.. I wasn't one to ever speak out in groups.

[lalamomma]

I agree for us it made things more real for DH but not much was new info for me as I read a ton before.
I loved the hospital tour and q&a time as well. Knowing the policies ahead of time helped me know what to expect.

[leenziepops]

May 3, 2015 20:52:07 GMT -5 cnumbers said:

I'm starting mines on Wednesday but I'm nervous as FTM I don't know what to expect and I'm also a very shy person so I'm nervous about being around other moms ect.. I'm also scared that the reality will hit me!. Any advice ladies?. I'll probably keep quiet and listen.. I wasn't one to ever speak out in groups.

You just go in and listen. 

[noname83]

When they started talking about the different pain relief medications, it suddenly clicked with my husband about why I want to do a med-free birth (if possible, I'm not about to be a martyr). That was probably the most helpful aspect for me, he was on the "give her all the meds right away" boat before today. It's good that we're at least getting closer to the same page.

I also learned that forceps are really a thing of the past now, and practitioners basically don't used them. They'll only use a vacuum if they think the baby will come out in about 3 contractions (or pushes?), otherwise the conversation goes to c-section if they feel the baby needs to come out right away.

[Bluedaisy]

May 3, 2015 21:16:30 GMT -5 noname83 said:

When they started talking about the different pain relief medications, it suddenly clicked with my husband about why I want to do a med-free birth (if possible, I'm not about to be a martyr). That was probably the most helpful aspect for me, he was on the "give her all the meds right away" boat before today. It's good that we're at least getting closer to the same page.

I also learned that forceps are really a thing of the past now, and practitioners basically don't used them. They'll only use a vacuum if they think the baby will come out in about 3 contractions (or pushes?), otherwise the conversation goes to c-section if they feel the baby needs to come out right away.

Yeah the nurse here said that at our hospital they might see forceps or the vacuum two-three times a year at max.  She said forceps were mostly used to position babies head if needed but that it was exceptionally rare.

I found the crochet hook thingy for breaking water creepier to be honest!

[ladysif]

May 3, 2015 21:22:05 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

May 3, 2015 21:16:30 GMT -5 noname83 said:

Yeah the nurse here said that at our hospital they might see forceps or the vacuum two-three times a year at max.  She said forceps were mostly used to position babies head if needed but that it was exceptionally rare.

I found the crochet hook thingy for breaking water creepier to be honest!

    
You don't even feel it. (They did it 4 different times with me, didn't hurt at all.) 

Also, if you have good nurses, they will lie to you about whether you pooped on the table. 

[Bluedaisy]

May 3, 2015 21:30:40 GMT -5 ladysif said:

May 3, 2015 21:22:05 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

    
You don't even feel it. (They did it 4 different times with me, didn't hurt at all.) 

Also, if you have good nurses, they will lie to you about whether you pooped on the table. 

I'm not afraid of pain...it's more that I will know never look at my collection of crochet hooks the same way!

[ladysif]

May 3, 2015 21:32:30 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

May 3, 2015 21:30:40 GMT -5 ladysif said:

    
You don't even feel it. (They did it 4 different times with me, didn't hurt at all.) 

Also, if you have good nurses, they will lie to you about whether you pooped on the table. 

I'm not afraid of pain...it's more that I will know never look at my collection of crochet hooks the same way!

Ha! In that case I'm no help. You're right, it definitely looks like one!

[sapphyre0702]

- that fear can slow down labor
- the "vacuum" isn't really a vacuum but a little thing with a suction cup. I was imagining like a dust buster to suck the baby out - it is like a tiny plunger head on a string.

[Deleted]

May 3, 2015 21:40:52 GMT -5 sapphyre0702 said:

- that fear can slow down labor
- the "vacuum" isn't really a vacuum but a little thing with a suction cup. I was imagining like a dust buster to suck the baby out - it is like a tiny plunger head on a string.

This this this x1000.  Even if you know you're going to get an epidural, trust your body and remember that women have been doing this for thousands and thousands of years.   We are designed to do this and the mind is a very powerful thing. Believe you can do it!

[noeliav]

This didn't register for me until months and months after delivery, but if your labor feels like it's progressing quickly and/or intensely, believe it!

Also, trust your body. Have faith in your body's ability to do this. <-- that goes along with the "fear" comments above

[sapphyre0702]

May 3, 2015 21:54:26 GMT -5 @jimbobcooter said:

May 3, 2015 21:40:52 GMT -5 sapphyre0702 said:

- that fear can slow down labor
- the "vacuum" isn't really a vacuum but a little thing with a suction cup. I was imagining like a dust buster to suck the baby out - it is like a tiny plunger head on a string.

This this this x1000.  Even if you know you're going to get an epidural, trust your body and remember that women have been doing this for thousands and thousands of years.   We are designed to do this and the mind is a very powerful thing. Believe you can do it!

I tell myself that cats give birth in a basement alone every time I get afraid. A bit dramatic I know, but it works!

[dogmama22]

-One of my favorites I shared on the birth plan thread, but I'll share here too. Our Lamaze instructor encouraged us to create a birth "wish list" rather than "plan." That way everyone is on the same page with what the ideal is, but you're less likely to freak if things don't go exactly as you'd hoped.
- learning some of the fast breathing patterns really helped because I'm familiar with very slow breathing from yoga, but it might not have worked so well in transition/ pushing. My favorite breathing mantra was "breath in peace, breath out tension."
- As PP said, I think it was super helpful for DH to learn some tools to help me throughout the process, plus it made it more real for him

[Bluedaisy]

May 3, 2015 21:40:52 GMT -5 sapphyre0702 said:

- that fear can slow down labor
- the "vacuum" isn't really a vacuum but a little thing with a suction cup. I was imagining like a dust buster to suck the baby out - it is like a tiny plunger head on a string.

I seriously almost fell off the couch thinking of the dust buster thing lol!

[sapphyre0702]

May 3, 2015 22:28:13 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

May 3, 2015 21:40:52 GMT -5 sapphyre0702 said:

- that fear can slow down labor
- the "vacuum" isn't really a vacuum but a little thing with a suction cup. I was imagining like a dust buster to suck the baby out - it is like a tiny plunger head on a string.

I seriously almost fell off the couch thinking of the dust buster thing lol!

Haha well they called it a vacuum!

[missjenniebean]

Everything. From when to go to hospital specifics. The booklet they gave was helpful. How to time contractions. Logistics. Knowledge on all options. I definitely DO NOT want an epidural. Last stage of labor is shortest but most painful. Good to know. I can make it!

[Bluedaisy]

May 3, 2015 22:33:55 GMT -5 sapphyre0702 said:

May 3, 2015 22:28:13 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

I seriously almost fell off the couch thinking of the dust buster thing lol!

Haha well they called it a vacuum!

I guess since my cousin needed it way back when I was 16 and it was explained then (terrified me of epidurals because they'd od'd my cousin so she needed forceps AND the vacuum) that I never thought much about it.

[honeybunches101]

May 3, 2015 22:57:21 GMT -5 sammyca said:

Wow I didn't realise forceps deliveries were so rare. Baby #1 was a forceps delivery. I can remember seeing the forceps during our birthing classes and thinking no way no day. Then during labour (after 3 hours of pushing) when the OB said he was using them I could have kissed him - I was so thrilled that the baby would finally be out!

They still use them at my hospital too, and it's a very progressive teaching hospital (and the President's hospital!). They almost had to use them on me for DS's delivery. We were adviced that some doctors are more comfortble with vacuums and some with forceps, so both are possibilities. I was terrified when they brought them out, I was not expecting them to be so huge!!

[billyhorrible]

May 3, 2015 21:30:40 GMT -5 ladysif said:

May 3, 2015 21:22:05 GMT -5 Bluedaisy said:

    
You don't even feel it. (They did it 4 different times with me, didn't hurt at all.)

Or maybe I'm just a super special snowflake.  But when they broke my water, it hurt!

[Deleted]

May 3, 2015 23:19:14 GMT -5 billyhorrible said:

May 3, 2015 21:30:40 GMT -5 ladysif said:

    
You don't even feel it. (They did it 4 different times with me, didn't hurt at all.)

Or maybe I'm just a super special snowflake.  But when they broke my water, it hurt!

When they broke mine with DS I could feel it but it was umcomfortable at worst. But I also don't think internal checks/exams hurt either and lots of people would beg to differ.

[lalamomma]

I didn't think them breaking my water hurt. The contractions after we're not so lovely lol

[stinybean]

I learned about a birthing bar.

I also some how, for some reason decided that I'm going to hold out as long as possible on getting an epidural. The instructor was not anti-epidural so this was totally something I came up with- probably because the tube coming out of my back freaks me out. Also, she did mention that you can ask for a low dose of it so you don't lose total feeling during pushing, which can elongate the process.

[Widget123]

May 3, 2015 23:19:14 GMT -5 billyhorrible said:

May 3, 2015 21:30:40 GMT -5 ladysif said:

    
You don't even feel it. (They did it 4 different times with me, didn't hurt at all.)

Or maybe I'm just a super special snowflake.  But when they broke my water, it hurt!

I think part of it is an anxiety thing, or at least for me it was. I was screaming when then placed the cervidil and I was freaking out when they were breaking my water too.  If I was more relaxed, I wouldn't have tightened up as much, and I suspect it wouldn't have been as bad.

[holliberry28]

Just had mine yesterday! Ditto to what a lot of pp already said about it being great for DH since he refused to read any of the books I bought. He now understand why I want to try to go med-free, which is great, because before he thought I was crazy for even entertaining that that!

The instructor also recommended trying moxibustion with acupuncture to flip a breech baby, and just go on hands and knees position if the inversions are too uncomfortable, to try to help a breech baby flip!

My hospital allows for up to 3 people which was surprising, but for DH to be able to stay the night, you must be in a private room ($200 per night). Worth it to me because I want him there with me overnight.

[ladysif]

May 3, 2015 23:19:14 GMT -5 billyhorrible said:

May 3, 2015 21:30:40 GMT -5 ladysif said:

    
You don't even feel it. (They did it 4 different times with me, didn't hurt at all.)

Or maybe I'm just a super special snowflake.  But when they broke my water, it hurt!

Ha! I will wear the crown proudly then. And no, I'd say you have yet to be a be a SS.

[carolyngrace]

Great idea for a thread. Some helpful reminders here!! I felt the most beneficial things in my class were:

- Let yourself vocalize, and if possible use a low-pitched tone. DH is prepped to coach me to growl, moan, whatever I need to do. I was super uncomfortable with this idea, but I made myself practice it in the class and let go of my embarrassment. I'm sure I"ll have much less inhibitions when I'm in labor

- Move around as much as possible to help baby spin into the right position and keep labor progressing

- Rest and eat as much as you can in the days leading up to labor!