I, myself, have a STM+ question: when are y'all thinking of doing childbirth classes (if you are) or when did you find was a good time with your first?
I'm thinking early Feb, but am I gonna forget what I learned by April?
I, myself, have a STM+ question: when are y'all thinking of doing childbirth classes (if you are) or when did you find was a good time with your first?
I'm thinking early Feb, but am I gonna forget what I learned by April?
Hrm, hard to say since everyone gets something different out of them. I mean, you aren't going to forget how to give birth, because there isn't any amount of classes you can take to fully prepare for the reality. The class I went to was geared heavily towards "natural" birth, so when things went sideways on me, none of it applied.
I would say doing it around Feb or early March would be best. Take notes, and research the subject outside of just that class. Because your teacher will teach according to his/her beliefs. If I had not researched outside of my class, I would have been scared because she didn't teach anything that I started going through. Luckily I did, and kept calm and remained engaged with my delivery to keep it positive.
The classes at my hospital filled up FAST. We weren’t expecting it and ended up having to go a lot later than we wanted. Actually I just looked and it was exactly two months before our daughter was born. I was the furthest along in our particular class. Also we had to take the infant cpr class at a different hospital because we couldn’t get into ours before she was born.
@ftm_ohio honestly the most I got out of our childbirth class with our first pregnancy (didn’t bother to take one with our second) was the logistical stuff: how, exactly, to time contractions (turned out I had no idea how to do it right), when to head to the hospital, where to go once we got to the hospital, etc. Our class also included a tour of labor & delivery, which was great. All the other stuff — breathing techniques, how my husband could help ease the pain — went right out the window the second labor hit.
So all that to say: for me, it didn’t matter when I took the class. The logistical stuff really stuck with me (and my husband) and we weren’t going to forget that no matter how far in advance we learned it. I was only about 25ish weeks along when we took the class, and everyone else was way further along than me. Didn’t make a difference at all.
@kmalls I almost forgot that they tried to teach DH how to "ease my pain"! Lol, as soon as the pain hit really badly, I was all "arrrgh don't touch me!!!". Poor guy.
Yeah, I sadly found my hospital birth class woefully lacking. I'm glad we did it, it helped prepare me to understand the logistical stuff that @kmalls pointed out, and gave us some breathing (stupid...) and pain management techniques. I liked the counter-pressure things DH learned but we weren't really able to use them until DD's birth. Like @ngolimento said, everything we learned pretty much went out the window with DS's birth when my water broke and active labor didn't immediately kick in.
@ftm_ohio I don't think February is too early, but I know our hospital tries to encourage later term pregnancies to take the class. You might be in a class full of 34+ weeks ladies.
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014! DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
@ftm_ohio I don't think February is too early. I honestly don't remember when I did the birth class, but I remember a lot of what the women above said. The logistical and practical stuff, you won't forget. It was super helpful to take the class offered through my hospital because we got to see the labor and delivery area. Our instructor also had a natural/med-free birth bias, and almost had me convinced I should try it myself, but I'm glad I didn't put too much energy into that when it actually came time to deliver. Watch out for any biases from your instructor and take good notes on the practical stuff, you'll be fine!
Thank you guys! I know online the hospital said they recommend about 8 weeks before delivery. Just nervous since this is my first time and I really feel (despite being an RN who had to take a few classes regarding this stuff and seeing multiple births in person) like I have no clue what's about to happen!
We went to our childbirth class at the hospital about 2 months before our due date. It was a 2 day class. First was about contractions, childbirth itself and a tour of labor and delivery. The second day was about childcare. We also took a separate breastfeeding class as well.
I’m glad we took all the classes. The childbirth class didn’t necessarily make childbirth easier but it was easier to retain than just reading and it helped to feel a little more “prepared” when my water broke. I knew where exactly I was going, some practical info about what to bring (a pillow for example since there’s a shortage of pillows at our hospital) and the process for reserving a private room. The breastfeeding class was VERY helpful especially since none of my family members breastfed.
I don’t feel the need to take any of them again though since DS is only 2 1/2 and I breastfed up until a couple of months ago. I don’t think I’ve forgotten too much.
Is anybody’s baby head down consistently yet? I know it’s still really early (especially for me, an end of April EDD) but I swear my other babies were at least mixing it up by this point (but I can’t remember for certain. Which is sad since this is my fourth freaking kid). Now all I’m getting is kicks to the crotch and hoping for at least a little variety sometime soon.
I think we're head down for the most part now. I feel kicks all over some days but mostly upper area of my belly now. No hiccups just yet to go off of. We were breech at the 20w but I assume they are still doing tons of moving at that point.
@lindsye my kiddo is all over the place. She mostly likes to be head up, but also likes to lie sideways a lot as well. Less commonly she is head-down, but it does happen.
I want to add on to @julzy's comment! We took three classes, only one of which was about birth. We also took the newborn care class and a breastfeeding education class.
Our newborn care class felt silly to me since I have siblings that are way younger than me (10 years) but if you've never handled a newborn, it might be helpful (learning how to put on a diaper, give baths, and swaddle).
I'm really glad I took the breastfeeding class. I highly recommend taking one and meeting with a LC before delivery for anyone that wants to breastfeed. There's SO MUCH about breastfeeding that isn't intuitive and makes you feel certain there is something wrong (she JUST ATE, how can she want to nurse again?; why is my baby crying all night unless he/she's attached to my boob?; Am I creating 'bad habits' by nursing on demand?!; 'they' say he/she needs to go three hours between feeds but she won't! what do I do?; AM I MAKING ENOUGH I MILK?!?; etc etc etc). Educating myself about these things helped chill me out (I still freaked out a shit ton with DS, but we attended weekly breastfeeding support group meetings and those helped too).
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014! DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
I'm pretty sure mine is upside down. Hiccups pretty low last night.
Also, we chose to do a newborn care class instead of a birthing class, and it worked out. But I am so glad we went to the newborn care class, we learned so much stuff that would have freaked me out if we hadn't. I swear for the rest of my pregnancy DH kept going around tellig people baby girls can have periods, and I was right behind him explaining what was actually happening. We were the first of our friends to have kids so, he was freaking people out.
Is anybody’s baby head down consistently yet? I know it’s still really early (especially for me, an end of April EDD) but I swear my other babies were at least mixing it up by this point (but I can’t remember for certain. Which is sad since this is my fourth freaking kid). Now all I’m getting is kicks to the crotch and hoping for at least a little variety sometime soon.
@lindsye cool link! At the A/S, baby was laying length wise according to the tech. I haven't noticed any hiccups yet. I feel most of my kicks lower in my belly, and sometimes in my crotch. I think he's flipping around in there a lot.
Does anyone remember when they start checking for positioning. I.e. the doctor used to feel from the outside for positioning but I can't remember when that started.
@ekendall09 my U/S techs will talk positioning now (but caveat their comments with a statement that it means nothing at this point). My OB team doesn't start checking for positioning on the belly until 36 weeks. Right now they just measure bump growth to estimate uterus size and make sure everything is tracking.
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014! DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
None of the OBs I have seen have ever done any sort of bump measurements or checks during my pregnancy. Is there a certain point at which they typically start?
None of the OBs I have seen have ever done any sort of bump measurements or checks during my pregnancy. Is there a certain point at which they typically start?
They are doing it, they just aren't telling you they are . It is the part of the appt where they have you lie down and push on your belly. Some docs will get out a tape measurer, but most are so seasoned that they don't need it. My doctor has never once told me what she is doing, but I know what she is up to because I research the heck out of everything.
@ngolimento I am guessing they will start when I am further along. They haven't ever done any physical examinations. The time I spend with the OB is usually just her asking if I have any questions. It might have something to do with the fact that I don't really have a distinguisable "bump" yet.
Piggy backing off the labor and delivery classes, any Third Time Moms have any advice on STM refresher material? I totally don't want to take the whole class again, I just need the Cliffs Notes... Books? Websites? Literally anything that doesn't require me to sit in a class for 8+ hours?
I already scheduled a prenatal breastfeeding class on the 10th that l'm pretty excited about. Plus I've found a local support group through the health dept so I know there are resources once I have this LO. Thanks for the recommendation!
@ngolimento I am guessing they will start when I am further along. They haven't ever done any physical examinations. The time I spend with the OB is usually just her asking if I have any questions. It might have something to do with the fact that I don't really have a distinguisable "bump" yet.
This is probably pretty true but I imagine they will start very soon even if it's just the laying back and poking your belly to find out how high your uterus is.
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014! DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
@icalynn they didn’t start measuring me until my last appt which was the first one I really had a bump, so that might be it! The only other physical thing that’s ever happened in exams besides a pap at the first one is just listening to the heartbeat on the Doppler each time.
@lindsye - that was a cool link! I really thought the first video was a spoof and an alien was going to burst out
Boy is transverse. he’s always situated that way when we see him, and his movement supports it. Girl has been head down and transverse, but I think she moved to head down again yesterday.
@icalynn both my first and second pregnancy they (different providers) started taking measurements at 24 weeks. Before that they would feel my belly for general uterine and baby size, but didn't take any measurements
@lindsye my firat was always head down. This one is all over the place, but seemingly more head up/transverse then anything. Which has been worrying me a bit beings #1 was always head down. Today I've gotten a few rib kicks so I was getting excited, but it feels like it's transverse again this evening.
DH(27) + Me (27) = 1/14 Baby #1: Aug. 2016 Baby #2: April 1st, 2018
My little guy is breech right now according to my midwife. All I feel are kicks to the bladder and crotch so I believe it!
Me: 27 // DH: 30 Married 05/21/2011 TTC Since Feb 2016 RE: Dec 2016 Dx: PCOS 5 rounds of Letrozole 5mg + Ovidrel + TI BFP!!!! June 2017 // EDD: 04/01/2018 IT'S A BOY!
I'm pretty sure babygirl is head down almost all the time. Well it actually seems like she is head down, but slightly diagonal. I feel kicks mainly in the same spot every time...upper left. Then there are smaller pushes in the bottom right, which I figure are her hands.
Does anyone ever get a feeling in there like "shivering?" It feels like it's where baby is, but it's like there's an internal shivering. Didn't know if it's some kind of weird muscle twitch or what. It doesn't last long..pretty short. Just thought it was weird, lol.
@psuxray07 the shivering is normal, I have felt it with both kids. I believe they are hiccoughs, but who knows what those kiddos are up to!
Just wait until third tri when you can feel every little thing they are up to. My last kiddo would pop her shoulder joint, and my belly would click loud enough people could hear it.
@dirtyboots I've felt the same anxiety! With my first two, the docs never even talked position until about 36 weeks and both were always head down. A silly U/S tech commented on this pregnancy when I was about 21 weeks that baby was breech and I freaked out for a hot second. Then my OB was like, that means nothing, that baby is going to change positions so much between now and the end. We'll talk again at 36 weeks lol. Sure enough at our U/S last week she was head down...
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014! DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
@psuxray07 I've felt the "shivering" feeling (or like a quick fluttering or buzzing) up just under my ribs on the left side for a couple months, since long before I could feel movement or my uterus was even big enough that it could be the baby. I have also felt the same feeling from time to time down near my hip joint on the inside/pelvic side. I have just out it down also pregnancy weirdness and thought it was just a muscle thing.
As for birth classes - at our hospital they're offered in the evenings, once a week for 4 weeks. They alternate Spanish and English months, so we'll be going in January, even though it might be a touch early.
TW
Me: 33 DH: 32 Started Dating: 2003 Married: 2013 Started TTC August 2016 BFP: 2/1/17 MC: 2/8/17 BFP: 3/8/17 MMC: 5/1/17 BFP: 7/23/17 EDD: 4/5/18 BFP: 2/27/20
@psuxray07 I have felt that and always attributed it to baby trying to suck his/her thumb, just based on what I remember from DD1 using her pacifier. I could be wrong! I felt it with DD1, too, and know that both girls were totally into thumb sucking in utero lol.
Re: Questions: Week of 12/17
I'm thinking early Feb, but am I gonna forget what I learned by April?
I would say doing it around Feb or early March would be best. Take notes, and research the subject outside of just that class. Because your teacher will teach according to his/her beliefs. If I had not researched outside of my class, I would have been scared because she didn't teach anything that I started going through. Luckily I did, and kept calm and remained engaged with my delivery to keep it positive.
So all that to say: for me, it didn’t matter when I took the class. The logistical stuff really stuck with me (and my husband) and we weren’t going to forget that no matter how far in advance we learned it. I was only about 25ish weeks along when we took the class, and everyone else was way further along than me. Didn’t make a difference at all.
@ftm_ohio I don't think February is too early, but I know our hospital tries to encourage later term pregnancies to take the class. You might be in a class full of 34+ weeks ladies.
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014!
DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
Baby #3: EDD, April 16th, 2016
Thank you guys! I know online the hospital said they recommend about 8 weeks before delivery. Just nervous since this is my first time and I really feel (despite being an RN who had to take a few classes regarding this stuff and seeing multiple births in person) like I have no clue what's about to happen!
I’m glad we took all the classes. The childbirth class didn’t necessarily make childbirth easier but it was easier to retain than just reading and it helped to feel a little more “prepared” when my water broke. I knew where exactly I was going, some practical info about what to bring (a pillow for example since there’s a shortage of pillows at our hospital) and the process for reserving a private room. The breastfeeding class was VERY helpful especially since none of my family members breastfed.
I don’t feel the need to take any of them again though since DS is only 2 1/2 and I breastfed up until a couple of months ago. I don’t think I’ve forgotten too much.
(And if you have no idea what position your baby is in and you’re curious, I think this has some useful tips. I normally can tell just based on hiccups and kicks. https://www.google.com/amp/s/pregnancy.thefuntimesguide.com/baby_position_in_womb/amp/)
Our newborn care class felt silly to me since I have siblings that are way younger than me (10 years) but if you've never handled a newborn, it might be helpful (learning how to put on a diaper, give baths, and swaddle).
I'm really glad I took the breastfeeding class. I highly recommend taking one and meeting with a LC before delivery for anyone that wants to breastfeed. There's SO MUCH about breastfeeding that isn't intuitive and makes you feel certain there is something wrong (she JUST ATE, how can she want to nurse again?; why is my baby crying all night unless he/she's attached to my boob?; Am I creating 'bad habits' by nursing on demand?!; 'they' say he/she needs to go three hours between feeds but she won't! what do I do?; AM I MAKING ENOUGH I MILK?!?; etc etc etc). Educating myself about these things helped chill me out (I still freaked out a shit ton with DS, but we attended weekly breastfeeding support group meetings and those helped too).
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014!
DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
Baby #3: EDD, April 16th, 2016
Also, we chose to do a newborn care class instead of a birthing class, and it worked out. But I am so glad we went to the newborn care class, we learned so much stuff that would have freaked me out if we hadn't. I swear for the rest of my pregnancy DH kept going around tellig people baby girls can have periods, and I was right behind him explaining what was actually happening. We were the first of our friends to have kids so, he was freaking people out.
No way man. This kid is in their flipping around every hour of the day. Every appointment she's in a different position too.
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014!
DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
Baby #3: EDD, April 16th, 2016
Me: 29 DH: 35
Married 5/3/14, TTC ever since
DX: Lean PCOS, Clomid resistant
Femara 7.5 + Ovidrel = BFP! Due 4/15/18
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014!
DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
Baby #3: EDD, April 16th, 2016
I already scheduled a prenatal breastfeeding class on the 10th that l'm pretty excited about. Plus I've found a local support group through the health dept so I know there are resources once I have this LO.
Thanks for the recommendation!
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014!
DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
Baby #3: EDD, April 16th, 2016
Married: 10/3/15
TTC: May 2017
BFP: 7/20/17
EDD: 3/29/18
Boy is transverse. he’s always situated that way when we see him, and his movement supports it. Girl has been head down and transverse, but I think she moved to head down again yesterday.
@lindsye my firat was always head down. This one is all over the place, but seemingly more head up/transverse then anything. Which has been worrying me a bit beings #1 was always head down. Today I've gotten a few rib kicks so I was getting excited, but it feels like it's transverse again this evening.
Baby #1: Aug. 2016
Baby #2: April 1st, 2018
Married 05/21/2011
TTC Since Feb 2016
RE: Dec 2016 Dx: PCOS
5 rounds of Letrozole 5mg + Ovidrel + TI
BFP!!!! June 2017 // EDD: 04/01/2018
IT'S A BOY!
Does anyone ever get a feeling in there like "shivering?" It feels like it's where baby is, but it's like there's an internal shivering. Didn't know if it's some kind of weird muscle twitch or what. It doesn't last long..pretty short. Just thought it was weird, lol.
Just wait until third tri when you can feel every little thing they are up to. My last kiddo would pop her shoulder joint, and my belly would click loud enough people could hear it.
I'm not taking childbirth class again... most of it was a waste of time. Although I'm glad we went so DH got an idea of what was going on.
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014!
DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
Baby #3: EDD, April 16th, 2016
As for birth classes - at our hospital they're offered in the evenings, once a week for 4 weeks. They alternate Spanish and English months, so we'll be going in January, even though it might be a touch early.
Started Dating: 2003 Married: 2013
Started TTC August 2016
BFP: 2/1/17 MC: 2/8/17
BFP: 3/8/17 MMC: 5/1/17
BFP: 7/23/17 EDD: 4/5/18
BFP: 2/27/20