Those of you taking prenatal / childbirthing classes.....

tinytraxx · November 2010

My husband and I decided not to take the classes and are going to "wing it".

If you have taken the classes, is there that "one thing" or one peice of advice you learned that you might share with the rest of us?

And thank you in advance for the advice! Smile

broccolitree · November 2010

When your water breaks: Sit Down, Note Time, Call Doctor. green = go (to the hospital).

We're doing a DVD course at our leisure, and this is one thing that is absolutely tattooed into both H's and my brain.

MrsPixi · November 2010

my DH and I just had our class this past Saturday. I already knew just about everything, the one thing I would say is to breath. You don't have to be fancy, just remember to breath. To concentrate on breathing through contractions. Other than that... idk Embarrassed

honkytonk_kid · November 2010

Most people get to the hospital WAY too early. Stay home until your contractions are 4 minutes apart, lasting a minute, for an hour (4-1-1!)

Obviously this might not be the case if you are really far away from the hospital, if it's not your first baby, GBS+, meconium, etc but most women get there too soon and end up tired, cranky, and hungry.

tinytraxx · November 2010

These are all very good things to know.

Thank you

ladipale · November 2010

We are attempting a natural birth, so my education is probably a bit different, but I would say to just be informed of all the procedures your provider and hospital regularly practice and make sure you are comfortable with them. This includes things that occur during labor and after baby is born. Do you want an IV? Do you want cord cut immediately? Its just worth thinking about these things and being an 'informed consumer' (not really a consumer, but you know...)

mzclaire · November 2010

I absolutely had to take childbirth classes, because I was so terrified of the thought of childbirth (from all those TV shows & movies it looks horrific!) The best thing the classes gave me was a new sense of perspective. This is a natural event that our bodies were made to do, and have been doing for generations. It can be a beautiful, powerful, and even empowering experience, and does not have to be scary or horrifying. If you already have that confidence, than you're way ahead of me!

MichelleL1118 · November 2010

If you think you're in early labor (regular, mild contractions 10+ minutes apart), eat something light. Once you get to the hospital, you'll be limited to water/ice chips, and if you're really lucky, popsicles.

When (if) your water breaks, remember the following acronym: COAT - color, odor, amount, time. If color is anything other than clear, or odor is strong/foul, go straight to the hospital. These can be indications of meconium or infection. Otherwise, stay home until contractions are 5 minutes apart, 1 minute long, for 1 hour. Be ready & able to let hospital staff know what time your water broke, and an estimate of the amount of fluid that came out.

Um... everything else that was useful was hospital-specific (policies, etc) and probably available on either the website or a tour of L&D.

alegaga4u · November 2010

I would look into the hospital policies on any part of your birth plan/expectations to ensure it is feasible. My hospital does not offer a walking epi-only a full epi, and the husband is not allowed to be present when it is administered. They also have a pretty high episiotomy rate which reminded me to speak with my OB about my preference on this.

RedZee · November 2010

I learned that the class was a total waste of time. I had already read the labor section in 2 books (1 pro-medicated childbirth and 1 pro-natural birth) so I found the class utterly useless and I'm extremely disappointed by it. We spent 10 minutes learning Lamaze breathing, which was my main reason to take the class.

The only remotely useful thing we got: She had the dads massage the moms whole bodies and said to do this while in labor. I told DH that we need to practice that one a lot.

a-beautiful-mess · November 2010

mzclaire:
The best thing the classes gave me was a new sense of perspective. This is a natural event that our bodies were made to do, and have been doing for generations. It can be a beautiful, powerful, and even empowering experience, and does not have to be scary or horrifying. If you already have that confidence, than you're way ahead of me!

I've only been to one class so far, but this is what I've gotten out of it. My goal is to deliver as naturally as possible, and I left feeling confident and empowered that I can totally do this.

sweetmej · November 2010

Wait to go to the hospital until you are unable to talk through your contractions. If you go too early, they'll either send you home or you'll end up with pitocin to speed things along.

pawcall · November 2010

We just finished our classes last night. I don't think there's anything there that you NEED but it raised my comfort level with the whole experience. I think it gave my husband some purpose (he has things that are "his job" now - reminding me to breathe, providing a "comforting touch", and helping me to relax.

All in all, the main takeaway from our class was "relax and breathe." And to immediately call your doctor if you experience serious pain (early labor shouldn't really be painful - just increasingly uncomfortable), bleeding, ctx are 5 min apart, or your water breaks.

tinytraxx · November 2010

cdobry01:

We just finished our classes last night. I don't think there's anything there that you NEED but it raised my comfort level with the whole experience. I think it gave my husband some purpose (he has things that are "his job" now - reminding me to breathe, providing a "comforting touch", and helping me to relax.

All in all, the main takeaway from our class was "relax and breathe." And to immediately call your doctor if you experience serious pain (early labor shouldn't really be painful - just increasingly uncomfortable), bleeding, ctx are 5 min apart, or your water breaks.

I think this would be invaluable!

pawcall · November 2010

Tinytraxx:
cdobry01:

We just finished our classes last night. I don't think there's anything there that you NEED but it raised my comfort level with the whole experience. I think it gave my husband some purpose (he has things that are "his job" now - reminding me to breathe, providing a "comforting touch", and helping me to relax.

All in all, the main takeaway from our class was "relax and breathe." And to immediately call your doctor if you experience serious pain (early labor shouldn't really be painful - just increasingly uncomfortable), bleeding, ctx are 5 min apart, or your water breaks.

I think this would be invaluable!

That seriously was the best part. Well worth spending $50 on (our 3 week class was $100 but insurance reimburses $50 of it).

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Those of you taking prenatal / childbirthing classes.....

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