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3rd Trimester
Giving birth without classes....
We aren't going to be doing birthing classes due to my husbands work schedule.
Does anyone have any suggestions for books or different things to read online about birthing without books? I am getting really nervous about labor (I know it's normal), but would feel better if I could fill my brain with info.
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Re: Giving birth without classes....
Are you able to do a hospital tour? Even if you can't take the classes doing this will allow you to get some real basic knowledge about what is and isn't allowed at your hospital/birthing center, and to ask a few questions.
And usually the person conducting the tour does the classes also, so you can explain you situation and ask her/him for recommendations.
Truthfully a lot of stuff we learned in the birthing classes never applied to us. My contractions were not as they described, my water broke and I was still uncertain because it just didn't fit what they had told us. And while learning all the stuff is helpful for a lot of people it just didn't help us. Once we got to the hospital things were so different then what we were prepared for.
This time around we are in a different city so it is a different hospital. We didn't feel the need to take any classes, but did go on the tour. Even just knowing what door to go in and where to go from there can help relieve some stress. Going somewhere completely knew while in labor is not going to help the situation at all.
I didn't take a class before either one of my LO's was born. The most important thing you need to do is talk to your doctor with your DH present. Ask your OB what to expect during labor....if you will be able to eat, what your options are for pain meds, then you can go online and find out the side effects of the meds on webmd and make your decision that way. The other advice I can give is check out www.thecradle.com it has tips for your DH to use during labor, and even a "I can't believe he said that during labor" section.
To your DH: No matter what, your wife is right. If she wants you to rub her back and then snaps at you for touching her, suck it up. She has more hormones running through her body during labor than you will have in your lifetime. You are there to support her, do what she says, when she says it. And don't take anything personally...she is in unimaginable pain, and the fear of being a new mom isn't helping her emotional state!
I had same issue. And was too shy to go to a class solo.
We're both reading a lot and have hired a doula. She'll do a 'birth rehearsal' with us a few weeks before my EDD and show me some laboring positions, show DH some things he can do to assist, etc.
Thanks for the info. I didn't know they had these. I don't want to take a class because most everyone I know told me all the info went out the door when they were delivering and just listened to the nurses. I have read a couple of books and watch Deliver Me. But it would be nice just to have an idea of what is covered. I'll definitely be getting this tonight!
I thought one of the major perks of taking the classes at the hospital were that we got familiar with the route to the hospital and parking, etc. The first time I went to the hospital by myself I got lost and it really worried me but now I am a pro at it!
)
Our prenatal class was pretty good, but I also really liked the breastfeeding class and the baby basics class which were just one nighters. However, almost everything I had heard in class I had also read in books, it was just nice to hear it again!