I think I originally made it sound like they had my baby the whole time, when really it was probably less than 2 hours over our 3.5 day stay. Our hospital has the new baby friendly certification or whatever, and if anything they push hands off fsmilies to keep babies in room. My complaint/question wasn't about them taking but but rather me being able to leave my room a little. :-).
did any of you STM+ take birthing classes & find that it actually helped you through labour?? everyone is putting the pressure on me to sign up for birthing classes, but i dont wanna waste my time if it doesn't really help.. definitely gunna take baby care/breastfeeding classes though.
did any of you STM+ take birthing classes & find that it actually helped you through labour?? everyone is putting the pressure on me to sign up for birthing classes, but i dont wanna waste my time if it doesn't really help.. definitely gunna take baby care/breastfeeding classes though.
Honestly, I've never taken a birthing class.
March '16 December Siggy Challenge - Favorite Christmas Movies/Quotes
did any of you STM+ take birthing classes & find that it actually helped you through labour?? everyone is putting the pressure on me to sign up for birthing classes, but i dont wanna waste my time if it doesn't really help.. definitely gunna take baby care/breastfeeding classes though.
I was in labor during my birthing class for my first. Considered it for my second, but have been told by everyone it's not worth it.
yeah.. i didn't think it'd be something that would make much of a difference in my delivery experience. but everyone is jumping down my throat about signing up.. it's starting to get very annoying
@kyraaD the birthing classes we took through our hospital really helped give us a better idea about what kinds of things to expect at the hospital (shots, protocol once baby arrives, what might cause a need for nicu stay, etc etc). We really had no clue about any of that beforehand. We spent the afternoon doing some laboring stuff, and I think it made DH feel more prepared than anything to help act as a coach. Was it all super helpful for labor? No. But a lot more than labor techniques were covered in our class. Ours was only a one day session though so we didn't feel like we'd wasted too much time on it.
@kyraaD the birthing classes we took through our hospital really helped give us a better idea about what kinds of things to expect at the hospital (shots, protocol once baby arrives, what might cause a need for nicu stay, etc etc). We really had no clue about any of that beforehand. We spent the afternoon doing some laboring stuff, and I think it made DH feel more prepared than anything to help act as a coach. Was it all super helpful for labor? No. But a lot more than labor techniques were covered in our class. Ours was only a one day session though so we didn't feel like we'd wasted too much time on it.
hmm. maybe I'll look into something like that then. it would be helpful to know about hospital protocols/shots/etc. for after my LO is born. thank you!
@kyraaD I agree with @smushi I'm a FTM but I really enjoyed the childbirth classes put on by my hospital. I may be an RN but I'm most definitely not a L&D nurse, there was even a doctor who is a FTM in my class with me. I don't think my class will help me with labor but knowing the hospital protocols, pain management options, etc will make me feel more at ease during my stay. I know DH learned things even if he won't admit it.
March 2016 Moms: January Siggy Challenge "Pregnancy Problems"
I agree with the others about the classes. I always tell people if you can go for free and have the time then they can be a good resource, but I wouldn't have paid for mine. It was also to nice to have DH attend with me, a second set of ears to pickup important information such as timing contractions, where to register, etc, but also for him to learn a little about the whole labor/delivery process. I had done a ton of research and reading about it but he did basically 0. The pain management techniques were kind of a joke and we missed the last class on safety and carseats because I already had DS, but overall it was somewhat beneficial. I also think it's really nice to get a tour of the birthing facility prior to going into labor, even if you don't take a class, so it looks at least vaguely familar to you on D-Day (I've delivered in 3 different hospitals). I'm glad I read this because I want to look into our local hospital and see if they offer sibling classes, I think my older two boys are old enough to enjoy something like that, even though this isn't their first rodeo haha.
I would say go if you have time but don't stress it. The only class I was semi-interested in was the first aid class for babies and young children. I went on a tour of the hospital and they showed me the standard and emergency procedures, and the registration process. It was important to know where to go when you are in labor. As you can imagine, being lost in a hospital while you are contracting may not be the most appealing situation. I also thought the nurses at the hospital are excellent. They were very patient with us in the middle of the night when I had trouble nursing or swaddling DD. We stayed there for two nights and we took every advantage to have the nurses showed us how to do everything. They were wonderful.
I did the breastfeeding class, and it was awesome. My husband did the Infant/Toddler CPR class, and I'll do that this time for sure. I plan to do a tour of the hospital, since I delivered elsewhere last time, but I'm not going to do the birthing class. I feel like now I know know to do...at least sort of.
I am a ftm, do I can't say if they will pay off yet, but we have found the birthing class at our hospital helpful. I am hoping to have a med free birth so we are taking the natural birthing class. It has been helpful to learn about positions for laboring in the tub, what I can eat, etc. We have learned some great relaxation techniques using pressure points and massage, too. I also feel more prepared since they have gone over different scenarios with us. For example, I can deliver the baby in the tub, but not the placenta. I am definitely type a, though and like to think of all the possibilities lol
Has anyone used someone besides their partner or spouse as their coach through labor? How did you choose? Has it effected your relationship since?
We use a doula – she's like part of our family now and we are using her again. My husband wasn't fully on board the first time, but even he will sing her praises now bc she was so helpful to both of us.
March 2016 siggy: babies - expectation vs reality Brian's Whovian wife (5/'09)
AP, BF, BW, CD, CLW, CS, ERF, Catholic mama
to Evan (7/'10), Clare (8/'11), Dean (3/'14), ^F(12/'15)^, Rose (3/'16)
*no longer a Timelord ~ WibblyWobbly BabyWaby is here!*
but i still feel bigger on the inside Autism mama!
We are also using a doula. We hired one for our first (in a different state) and she was so helpful. She did double hip compressions on me for hours and it helped with the back pain so much. They were painful when DH tried them. Idk why, but he just couldn't get the hand placement right.
I was thinking about taking Bradley Method or Lamaze classes. Does anyone have experience with either one and can anyone give any recommendations?
My birthing class had a little of everything. I think it leaned more toward Bradley, but I ended up using more Lamaze techniques since that's what my body "told" me to do.
DS1 - 9/21/11
DS2 - 7/4/14
DS3 - 2/21/16 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
Something a just thought of for after delivery is to buy some cheap underwear for the first few week postpartum. So many of my pairs got holes in them from changing those bulky pads that I had to wear! The stickers on those things are intense! Also, take as many pairs of the super stretchy underwear that the hospital provides during your stay!! They are totally giant granny panties, but they are so comfy!
Adding a little tidbit if it hasn't been posted yet...
After care at home kit. You'll want to have these items at your disposal (as near to the toilet as possible) when you get home. Buy them now to be prepared or have someone ready with a list to run to the store after the birth.
Tucks Pads (little circles of soothing - my nurses had me line my big pads with them) Dermaplast spray Crazy enormous pads (wings, jumbo, all the bells and whistles you can find) Peri Bottle (take this home from the hospital) - cuz you won't be wiping anything after labor. You can buy these on Amazon too. Nice to have one in each bathroom if your house is spread out.
Your hospital should provide you with similar after care items as well during your stay, along with the mesh undies. Snag as much as you can to take home with you. It's nice to have more at home though. I went through a lot of dermaplast. There's another little similar kind of foam that is like dermaplast but not the intense spray... I'd go look at my previous bottle, but it's upstairs...
I asked for a lot of the mesh undies before I left the hospital... in all sizes. They made me look like a grandma but honestly who cares. This time around I will also buy some stool softener ahead of time. Trying to do business the first few weeks was a lot tougher than I could ever imagine.
Something a just thought of for after delivery is to buy some cheap underwear for the first few week postpartum. So many of my pairs got holes in them from changing those bulky pads that I had to wear! The stickers on those things are intense! Also, take as many pairs of the super stretchy underwear that the hospital provides during your stay!! They are totally giant granny panties, but they are so comfy!
I did this with my first baby! (Actually I sent my husband out postpartum to target and told him to get the biggest pads he could find and the granniest looking underwear he could find, and if he had a question to just find any woman and tell her I just had a baby). I used them with the next two babies also, but this time I'm getting some depends silhouettes to wear instead of undies and pads for the first week or two. Everyone says they are awesome. Anyone use them before?
March 2016 siggy: babies - expectation vs reality Brian's Whovian wife (5/'09)
AP, BF, BW, CD, CLW, CS, ERF, Catholic mama
to Evan (7/'10), Clare (8/'11), Dean (3/'14), ^F(12/'15)^, Rose (3/'16)
*no longer a Timelord ~ WibblyWobbly BabyWaby is here!*
but i still feel bigger on the inside Autism mama!
Something a just thought of for after delivery is to buy some cheap underwear for the first few week postpartum. So many of my pairs got holes in them from changing those bulky pads that I had to wear! The stickers on those things are intense! Also, take as many pairs of the super stretchy underwear that the hospital provides during your stay!! They are totally giant granny panties, but they are so comfy!
I did this with my first baby! (Actually I sent my husband out postpartum to target and told him to get the biggest pads he could find and the granniest looking underwear he could find, and if he had a question to just find any woman and tell her I just had a baby). I used them with the next two babies also, but this time I'm getting some depends silhouettes to wear instead of undies and pads for the first week or two. Everyone says they are awesome. Anyone use them before?
I had someone sing the depends praises. I plan on going depends all the way!!
BFP 2/11/15 (EDD 10/13/15). MMC 3/30/15 D&C 4/3/15 "We will always love you"
DD1 - BFP 7/23/15 (EDD 3/31/16). "We believe in you rainbow" DOB 4/2/16
DD2 - BFP 2/9/18 (EDD 10/19/18). "Grow baby grow!" DOB 10/24/18
BFP 11/16/20 (EDD 7/31/21). "Round 3 FIGHT!"
I personally hated the mesh panties at the hospital, yuck...(BUT yes yes yes to the peri bottles and dermoplast spray!) I would add to the list of things to have at home, a sitz bath for on top of the toilet. It provides soothing releif to be able to soak stitches and/or hemmrhoids without the fuss of getting into a tub and sitting on the hard bottom. Also soaking pads in witch hazel and putting them in the freezer feels good on stitches post partum!
For all the mothers having a c-section don't forget a pillow it really helps to press it against you in the car on the way home so the bumps don't hurt as much. Also walking up to the house especially if you have stairs a pillow really helps. I've had two c-sections the first I didn't know I was obviously having one and didn't have pillow but really wish I had one. So any mom I guess could always bring a pillow just in case.
The witch hazel pads were the thing that helped me. Ice pads didn't do anything after first few hours. For nipples, I loved these cooling gel pads when I needed relief. I think there was an ameda product.
Yes, @amaniupendo! The cooling breast pads that stick on are the best. I tried the ones that you stick in the fridge and shove in the bra, but they slipped everywhere.
My best friend's midwife suggested she soak pads in witch hazel and freeze them. She loves her little "padsicles" so I think I'll try that next time too.
All of the hospitals I have delivered at only allow ice chips. I know there are reasons for it but I haven't been sick while in labor with any of my 4 previous births. I have learned to sneak in a bottle of Sprite and have my husband pour small amounts into my ice so the nurses don't notice. I find it really hard to focus on pushing when my throat is dry and ice chips don't cut it. Lol
Some are getting better about the things you can have during labor. We stopped at the store on the way and grabbed crackers and some other things, but I've heard that people have good results with honey sticks and things like that for easy to ingest quick energy.
Re: *All Things Birth/Labor*
*BFP #1- 11/12/12, m/c 11/16/12 @ 6 weeks
*BFP #2- 1/23/13 EDD 10/4/13
*Emma Rose: 10/8/13
*BFP #3- EDD 03/9/16
March '16 December Siggy Challenge- Favorite Christmas Movie/Quote
definitely gunna take baby care/breastfeeding classes though.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
March 2016 Moms: January Siggy Challenge "Pregnancy Problems"
I'm glad I read this because I want to look into our local hospital and see if they offer sibling classes, I think my older two boys are old enough to enjoy something like that, even though this isn't their first rodeo haha.
March 2016 siggy: babies - expectation vs reality
Brian's Whovian wife (5/'09)
Autism mama!
*BFP #1- 11/12/12, m/c 11/16/12 @ 6 weeks
*BFP #2- 1/23/13 EDD 10/4/13
*Emma Rose: 10/8/13
*BFP #3- EDD 03/9/16
March '16 December Siggy Challenge- Favorite Christmas Movie/Quote
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our family of 5 is complete!! Love our boys!
After care at home kit. You'll want to have these items at your disposal (as near to the toilet as possible) when you get home. Buy them now to be prepared or have someone ready with a list to run to the store after the birth.
Tucks Pads (little circles of soothing - my nurses had me line my big pads with them)
Dermaplast spray
Crazy enormous pads (wings, jumbo, all the bells and whistles you can find)
Peri Bottle (take this home from the hospital) - cuz you won't be wiping anything after labor. You can buy these on Amazon too. Nice to have one in each bathroom if your house is spread out.
Your hospital should provide you with similar after care items as well during your stay, along with the mesh undies. Snag as much as you can to take home with you. It's nice to have more at home though. I went through a lot of dermaplast. There's another little similar kind of foam that is like dermaplast but not the intense spray... I'd go look at my previous bottle, but it's upstairs...
March 2016 siggy: babies - expectation vs reality
Brian's Whovian wife (5/'09)
Autism mama!
DD1 - BFP 7/23/15 (EDD 3/31/16). "We believe in you rainbow" DOB 4/2/16
DD2 - BFP 2/9/18 (EDD 10/19/18). "Grow baby grow!" DOB 10/24/18
BFP 11/16/20 (EDD 7/31/21). "Round 3 FIGHT!"
Also soaking pads in witch hazel and putting them in the freezer feels good on stitches post partum!
My best friend's midwife suggested she soak pads in witch hazel and freeze them. She loves her little "padsicles" so I think I'll try that next time too.