Re bottles: We took a breastfeeding class thurs and the LC said the angle that you hold the bottle matters more to control flow and better replicate BF. I think this is the paced feeding that @SweetSweetTooth recommended looking up but basically the bottle is held more horizontally and at an angle to the baby's mouth rather than sticking the nipple directly in so they have to work for the milk. Apparently this does not introduce any more air and she compared it to hovering your mouth around a straw and breathing normally.
As far as birthing classes go - not really advice per se but in my natural birthing class we spent a session practicing labor techniques while squeezing an ice cube in your hand to simulate contractions. The idea is you practice each pain management/relaxation technique for 5 contractions 1 minute long each 1 minute apart and hold an ice cube in the same hand for each contraction. You can switch hands when you switch techniques. I found this incredibly helpful since I'm not one to take plain practice sessions very seriously or at least its difficult for me to really get in that mindset. The discomfort from holding an ice cube for a minute long contraction simulation was no joke and really helped me and DH figure out which techniques we liked and didn't like. It also helped me to really realize the breaks you'll get in between which def is putting my mind at ease for when it's time to labor for real.
Just had our birth class today. I most appreciated the different techniques the partner can use to help relieve pressure. The hip squeeze was pretty awesome. We will see if I actually want DH to touch me at all though when it’s actually happening...
@mytrueloves I've been practicing relaxing my jaw and mouth when I poop. Ina May talks about how relaxing those muscles helps relax your genital ones.
My class today was about labor stages and a few pain management techniques. I appreciated knowing that some of the techniques I've been considering are things they see and encourage. I'm looking at some aromatherapy, using a tennis ball in my lower back, and some different positions. I also bought an exercise ball for use at home
@sammierose464 I just read that chapter! Side note, I had an incident last week where I was apparently straining too hard during a BM and that combined with my low blood sugar made me almost pass out? (Slightly embarrassing to admit...) I ended up puking instead and feeling better right after but of course freaked out and called the OB office. The nurse said that it may feel awkward but to always keep your mouth open and breathe when you poop to avoid closing off the air passage especially as your bump gets bigger since it could restrict oxygen to the brain. It will also help pass a BM easier if you're constipated. Apparently there is a medical term for this? but I dont remember what it was (a something maneuver).. Long story short, it was interesting to read about Sphincter Law in Ina May's book after this happened and see that the two were in agreement. Also wanted to share to prevent someone else from ending up in the same boat! It was scary.
@rc-cola I loved the hip squeeze. It was the only thing that helped in anyway with DS. You may not love it in the moment, but if it's a touch thing you're not focused on that the time the hip squeeze is helpful. Though I do recommend releasing it right after... but it was lovely.
Hip squeeze works for me now! I have so much hip/pelvic pain and it gives me some relief. I think it can be used any time. In one of my classes they said it can be especially helpful for back labor.
@jellybelly114 we did something similar in our birth class yesterday with the ice. The teacher gave us two frozen water bottles and a bucket of ice water, and we used the different intensities to simulate various levels of contractions. For the early contractions, we just held one water bottle in one hand, for the more active labor ones, we held a water bottle in each hand, and for transition, we submerged both hands in the ice water bucket (which was really fricking cold!). It was actually a pretty interesting way to try and practice the breathing and coping methods, since obviously you can’t actually take a contraction during a class.
We started our classes tonight. The best tip was to keep the babies hat they put on them right out of the womb in a ziploc bag and take it home with you. Don't open it until the baby is unconsolable and just can't stop crying. Usually this is when the baby is getting homesick and the smell of the hat will help the calm down. It has absorbed the smells of the womb and fluids it is Missing. Kind of like when we got our puppy we brought a blanket from her litter mates and it helped.
Me 33 DH 41 TTC since 2016 Due: October 12, 2018 Location: Ontario, Canada
Not advice but figured this belonged in this thread. Last night at my class the teacher told us ladies to go wait in the hall for a special surprise the partners were going to prepare. We came back into a mock C section delivery room with our partners dressed as the doctors and one of them as the laboring mom. They all had lines and jobs to do. It was really cute! They went through the procedure step by step. The teacher said it was to better prepare the partners to know what it would feel like to be part of the surgery as they are the ones that see what is going on and are there to support but stay out of the way type thing.
We also got to tour the hospital and see the rooms. It made it more real! Can't believe it's only 6 weeks away!
Me 33 DH 41 TTC since 2016 Due: October 12, 2018 Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: Best Advice from your Baby Classes
As far as birthing classes go - not really advice per se but in my natural birthing class we spent a session practicing labor techniques while squeezing an ice cube in your hand to simulate contractions. The idea is you practice each pain management/relaxation technique for 5 contractions 1 minute long each 1 minute apart and hold an ice cube in the same hand for each contraction. You can switch hands when you switch techniques. I found this incredibly helpful since I'm not one to take plain practice sessions very seriously or at least its difficult for me to really get in that mindset. The discomfort from holding an ice cube for a minute long contraction simulation was no joke and really helped me and DH figure out which techniques we liked and didn't like. It also helped me to really realize the breaks you'll get in between which def is putting my mind at ease for when it's time to labor for real.
My class today was about labor stages and a few pain management techniques. I appreciated knowing that some of the techniques I've been considering are things they see and encourage. I'm looking at some aromatherapy, using a tennis ball in my lower back, and some different positions. I also bought an exercise ball for use at home
Kind of like when we got our puppy we brought a blanket from her litter mates and it helped.
TTC since 2016
Due: October 12, 2018
Location: Ontario, Canada
The teacher said it was to better prepare the partners to know what it would feel like to be part of the surgery as they are the ones that see what is going on and are there to support but stay out of the way type thing.
We also got to tour the hospital and see the rooms. It made it more real! Can't believe it's only 6 weeks away!
TTC since 2016
Due: October 12, 2018
Location: Ontario, Canada