Questions - Week of 12/11

becausescience

KZ1126

I have a question about the birthing classes.  So the hospital we are delivering at offers a one day class that includes the maternity floor tour. I had called in November to schedule my one day class, and they said no wait a month that is too early. So I checked last week and they canceled all of their classes prior to my due date since they lost an instructor. I scheduled just a regular tour of the hospital, but I really don't want to do the class at another hospital, so I'm wondering if anyone has feelings either way on how important the pre birth class is?  Is it something we can do without or would you really recommend going?

Thanks in advance!!!

ShawnnaO

@KZ1126 I didn’t go to a birthing class last time and I honestly don’t think going to one would have made Labor any easier for me. Information that you NEED to know, your doctor will tell you. My opinion is that our bodies know what to do, and we just need to listen and let our instincts take over. A birthing class isn’t going to prevent the “unknowns” like your body not progressing and you having a c-section, etc. I also know that, personally, even if I had gone to a class, everything I learned would have been instantly forgotten the second I started actual labor. 

I truly think it’s a personal thing and some people will benefit from it more than others, whether that be they go into things less anxious because they feel like they prepared more, or maybe they’ll actually retain the information, unlike me, and it will be useful during labor. But I definitely don’t believe it’s something you NEED to do. 

KZ1126

@ShawnnaO thanks - that definitely helps!

amylonghorn

@KZ1126 I went to a child birth class before DD and honestly it didn't prepare me for my experience at all! I know every birth story is different, and I felt like the class focused on births that didn't involve drugs, whereas I was induced and went in planning to have an epidural. So the video of the chick walking around her block while she labored at home for a while didn't help me personally.

And, I felt like they didn't even tell you how to do normal things, like, I don't know, how to push!! During labor I had the nurse help me and wouldn't push unless she was right there coaching me through. Oh, and silly me, I didn't know my doctor wouldn't show up til like 5 mins before baby arrived.  

So while everyone is different, the classes are totally a personal decision. This time around, DH and I decided not to take the child birth class, but we are registered for a breast feeding class since I really hope breast feeding works for me this time around, and a Baby Care and CPR class since you can always use a refresher on thar.

Also, I'm annoyed *for* you that they wouldn't let you sign up for the class and said it was "too early"...its never too early to be prepared in my opinion!!

mdfarmchick

@KZ1126 I took a class with my first from the local women’s center instead of the hospital. It covered all types of birth—birthing at home, with a midwife, water birth and even hospital births with or without medication. While some aspects of it were very crunchy to us, it gave a great overview and did help me feel less worried for birth in general and gave MH some concrete things he could do to help. I learned about what hormones are involved in the birthing process, How birth progresses and even what contractions and pushing felt like. I probably would have been fine not going to the class, but it gave me some confidence, an idea of what to expect and overall made me feel more prepared. 

KZ1126

thanks @amylonghorn !!!   I fully intend to be on all the drugs.  good idea on babycare and CPR!

@mdfarmchick  good to know. It seems like great information to have, I think I'm just being lazy about how far away from my house I"m willing to go to get it...

vflux33

@KZ1126 I'm a FTM so maybe I'll turn around later and say it was a waste of time, but I'm doing a birthing class because I'm one of those people who will die inside if I think there was some form of preparation I could have had that I didn't have. We're pretty high risk for needing a CS, but I think just knowing what other people do during labor will help me feel less unprepared--which is an illusion, I'm sure, but an illusion that will help me sleep at night! That sucks about your hospital. Is there no way they will find another instructor and reschedule the cancelled classes?

KZ1126

@vflux33 They really didn't give any info, she was kind of like oh well we lost an instructor sooo no classes until after your due date. Didn't seem like they were prioritizing those, I guess since the other in network hospitals offer them.  But why would I do a class that includes a tour of a hospital I'll never see again??? haha. geeeeez

vflux33

@KZ1126 Well, I hope if you decide to go that they at least have the courtesy to do the tour at the very end so you can skip out early!

fatstagnation

@KZ1126  also a FTM here, so definitely not an expert. But I feel like I've read about birth and know what I want. The birthing class, for me, is more an opportunity for DH to be prepared and to open up discussion with him. Maybe just find a book or web-resource that supports the decisions you've made and talk with your partner about your expectations for how they will support you.
And maybe your OB can guide you through what's important and what you should look up. 

missnc77

@KZ1126 I went to a birthing class at a different hospital than where I delivered my first. The class wasn't really focused so much on the hospital. I actually liked the birthing class, especially for my husband. My first pregnancy, I sat online at work and researched every little question that popped up or I read on my BMB, but my husband didn't really know the ins and outs. They even had a pregnancy body suit complete with weighted boobs that he got to try on, lay on the floor, and attempt to roll from one side to another. It was hysterical. I think it really helped to give him that one morning to hear all about birth and understand what I was going through physically, and it was fun to do as a couple. Unfortunately for him, when I was dealing with terrible contractions, I just wanted to ride them out on my own. But they did teach us how to do tennis ball massages, which was a win for the few months leading up to birth. 

orbmaker

@KZ1126 My hospital offers a one-day class, too, but we ended up signing up for a five-week course with a nurse educator (at a different location) that also includes a tour with the hospital where we'll deliver. You could try asking your OB/midwife if they know of any other classes in the area? My midwives recommended this instructor to me. 

Regardless of the class content, I think it will be nice for my husband and I to do something specifically baby-driven together in the weeks leading up to delivery. He's not a compulsive researcher like me, so I also think it will help him grasp the basics without me having to play "instructor.*" And maybe we'll meet another couple we like?

*Last night I was talking through the various pain control/ pain management tools we might employ and he was like, "So I'll be in the room through the whole thing???"  FACEPALM.

KZ1126

thanks @fatstagnation @orbmaker and @missnc77
 My husband needs to wear that body suit, I def think me wanting to do the class in the first place was more so he could understand.  I swear if he tells me we're "just going to wing it" one more time I will end him!!!!  haha  

orbmaker

@KZ1126 my husband is a pro with babies/kids (he's an elementary school teacher with lots of babysitting experience), but he's definitely kind of squeamish about medical stuff. I'm an emergency dept nurse and he can't even really tolerate me talking about some of the things that go down at work. Kinda worried about him during labor lol. 

becausescience

KZ1126 said:

I have a question about the birthing classes.  So the hospital we are delivering at offers a one day class that includes the maternity floor tour. I had called in November to schedule my one day class, and they said no wait a month that is too early. So I checked last week and they canceled all of their classes prior to my due date since they lost an instructor. I scheduled just a regular tour of the hospital, but I really don't want to do the class at another hospital, so I'm wondering if anyone has feelings either way on how important the pre birth class is?  Is it something we can do without or would you really recommend going?

Thanks in advance!!!

@KZ1126 I liked the birth class I took at my hospital, though it definitely isn't necessary.  I thought it was good just to help learn about labor and the different stages.  They also went through coping techniques and through different options for pain management - including showing the epidural catheter.  They also went over what to expect post-birth - pitocin is their policy to help the uterus shrink back to size, to expect fundal massage, how food worked, what testing the baby would get and when, breastfeeding support, etc.  As a first time mom, I just found this information helpful to know a bit about what to expect.  I also thought DH benefited from knowing these things too - I did lots of labor research, but he didn't.

Also, I'm mad the hospital wouldn't let you schedule it, but then canceled the later dates. 

missnc77

I just thought about another useful thing my birthing class taught me. My water broke at home when I wasn’t dilated one bit, 10 days before my due date. I had no contractions either. I didn’t panic though, because I learned in the birthing class that while it’s important to go to the hospital if your water breaks, as long as it is clear, you have some runway. If you see color in it, you need to hit the hospital ASAP. Mine was clear, so I was able to calmly call my husband at work, wash my hair, put on some depends, and finish packing while waiting for him to get home. So you never know what sort of tidbit of information will come in handy when you pop!

runsoncoffee

Just to chime in... I was kind of like @vflux33 the first time around... I didn't want to look back and think I didn't prepare enough. That being said, I am really glad we did the birthing class! It was just as much for me as it was for DH because he wasn't doing all the online research and bumping that I was. It gave me realistic expectations of labor and gave me an idea of what I hoped for but knowing that may not happen. It was just very informative and I'm thankful we did it! I don't feel the need to do any classes this time, but if you can for the first time around I'd recommend it!! 

barrelocarol

Chiming in - we felt we wasted our time and money on the hospital birthing classes. Looking back, I highly regret taking that class as my prep bc I was actually so I'll prepared for the real deal. 

That said, if you actually want to feel prepared, I would HIGHLY recommend a specific type of birthing class over a hospital class any day. Maybe a Hypnobirthing class or a class taught by an OB/midwife at a birthing center. 

These specific types of classes actually cover the topics you want to know about: When to go to hospital, how to push, how to navigate hospital policies so you don't feel railroaded at birth, how to breathe, newborn care, special circumstances, etc...

megpeg

We did birthing classes through my hospital but they were with a doulas and were very helpful. She taught a lot of coping techniques which were helpful. I would recommend it.

kalawa

Have any ladies been on the vaginal progesterone? I have been prescribed them to see if it helps my cervix. They said just put them in my vagina. Ok...but how far? What should I expect? Etc...gah

ashtuesday

@kalawa - prepare for TMI!  I was on it the first 10 weeks of my pregnancy. My doctor said to insert before bed - it could cause fatigue and this provides the most time for absorption. Basically, get it as far in there as you comfortably can. You might want to sleep with a panty liner - I experienced some drippage upon getting up in the morning. Also (seems like a duh, but I didn't connect the dots at first): don't have sex after inserting!  It could throw your husband"s hormones all out of whack. For me, there were no real symptoms associated with taking the progesterone. It's a strange and uncomfortable thing, but hopefully it will help!  Good luck!

kalawa

@ashtuesday Good to know haha. As for sex...I'm on strict pelvic rest anyways. But I will definitely sleep with a panty liner. 

chasingroygbiv

@kalawa I think it was covered pretty well, but yeah, just be prepared for... a mess basically. Load up on panty liners. I just inserted it like..... tampon-ish area... if that helps?? I can’t say I noticed side effects, but I could’ve had them and just chalked them up to first tri symptoms. 

kalawa

@chasingroygbiv The most common one the OB mentioned is dizziness and discharge. But she laughed and said "but at 28 weeks pregnant women aren't exactly dry so you may not even notice a difference". I laughed because, well, true. But seriously, the side effects seem to be minimal. So if it'll help lengthen my cervix...it's being done.

chasingroygbiv

Has anyone come across a nice warm newborn/0-3 month hat? I have late Spring babies, so this is new! 

StephBrim24

@chasingroygbiv - we got this one when we had our daughter almost 6 years ago and I LOVED it. I can’t believe they still carry the same one. 
https://m.toysrus.com/product?productId=2539399

chasingroygbiv

I had looked at that one on Amazon, I may just order it now, thanks! @StephBrim24

BrittnieMariee

Has anyone started packing bags?? I think I’m going to pack ours next week (I’ll be 30 weeks). I’m a “just in case” kind of person. I want to be prepared! I went to L&D a few times before I actually delivered my son at 39 weeks, and it started at like 32 weeks. 

ShawnnaO

@BrittnieMariee I had my bags packed with my daughter by like 25 weeks I think? This one I have a bag packed already as well, although I mostly have my mom to thank for that. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong time! 

BrittnieMariee

@ShawnnaO I completely agree! I’ll probably get my bag packed first, then Emma’s, and worry about DH last lol I need to pack one for DS too since he’ll be staying with my mom. And in a few weeks we’ll install the car seat base. Because that is NOT something I want to deal with if we’re in a hurry (we live an hour away from the hospital I’ll be delivering at). 

vflux33

Anyone here heard of an "irritable uterus"? Have you had one, or do you know someone who has? I google diagnosed myself at 4 o'clock this morning and still trying to figure it all out. 

ShawnnaO

@vflux33 I have a friend who had one and I suspect I may be experiencing one as well this pregnancy, given how easily I can set off contractions. 

vflux33

@ShawnnaO Do you find that your uterus will stay hard for WAY longer than the length of a contraction? Like 30 or more minutes? 

ShawnnaO

@vflux33 I haven’t noticed that, but I will say when I’m up on my walks, which are usually about an hour long, I have contractions so frequently that I don’t know if my uterus ever fully relaxes. But if I’m at home and I start to get them, they’re just like regular contractions and my uterus relaxes after 30 seconds or so. 

DDRRT1982

vflux33 said:

Anyone here heard of an "irritable uterus"? Have you had one, or do you know someone who has? I google diagnosed myself at 4 o'clock this morning and still trying to figure it all out. 

I have a very irritable uterus.  I contract very regularly all the time (except with this baby, so weird).  From what I understand with an irritable uterus there are lots of contractions and they don't make changes to your cervix.  Basically, more BH than normal.  I do remember having a hard time differentiating between my daughter moving and pushing out on my uterus versus actual BH.  I would say it's not super normal for your uterus to no relax for 30 minutes.  Maybe what you are feeling is like what I was feeling with my daughter pushing out and hardening up the outside.  Definitely ask your doctor.  

Edit typo

vflux33

@DDRRT1982 It's so weird. I get it all the time, sometimes in the middle of the night. I don't think it's early labor (I hope not), but it's starting to freak me out. I have an OB appointment, first NST, and call with preterm labor nurse next week so I'll bring it up at all 3 of those and see what ppl say. Hopefully it's nothing and I'm just evaluating my body all wrong (entirely possible). For now I'm going to sit here drinking 9 glasses of water and thanking the universe that I don't have a job that keeps me on my feet all day. 

DDRRT1982

@vflux33 when I sleep the baby moves upward towards the anterior part of my uterus.  It's like a hard ball, but definitely not the pressure you talk about with a BH.  When I get up, she moved towards the back like normal.  You've got two in there and it's more prominent more than likely, like what I experience at term. Maybe it's them moving forward.  I usually get lots of pressure with BH and then tightening.  That's how I can tell now what's going on.  Natalie was my first term pregnancy, so I was thinking a lot like you when in reality it was just her pushing out on the anterior part of my uterus.  This would also explain the length of time you are describing. 

I am glad you get to follow up.  Anything to keep those babies safe!

vflux33

@DDRRT1982 Interesting and good to know. Thank you!

mdfarmchick

@vflux33 I self diagnosed an irritable uterus a couple weeks ago. My belly also goes hard for about 30 minutes or so. My next appointment is after Christmas so I was going to ask. I also have more than 4 BH in an hour but my OB said he wasn’t concerned about that unless I had more than four regular contractions or painful BH in an hour. I also tend to get them at night more than in the morning. I freaked myself out about preterm labor before I discovered the irritable uterus. But I have the advantage of experiencing labor before and was pretty sure it wasn’t labor. Also, I can still feel good kicks even when my belly is hard so I’m not worried about LO. I also have found that doing some gentle yoga stretching, following some of the daily activities on spinning babies and using my yoga ball more to sit on have all helped a lot. 

chasingroygbiv

@vflux33 Yes, me! I was “diagnosed” with our first and it’s been irritable since. I contract a LOT and early. I started around 16-18 weeks this time around. With DD they started being very uncomfortable around 34 weeks but did nothing. I’m noticing they’re starting to be a little uncomfortable now, so I’m keeping an extra eye on them in case. I contract when I walk, when I get up too fast, if I don’t drink enough, etc