Our Childbirth Class Experience

As my due date grows nearer, I've been thinking more about the child birth classes that Derek and I took in October, poring over my notes and drawing on vital points that might be useful during labor.

We participated in a pretty intensive child birth education class given by the Prenatal Yoga Center on the upper west side.  The class taught the Bradley Method (also known as "husband-coached childbirth") and essentially helped prepare us for the events of labor and birthing.  Prior to my pregnancy, I had only heard of Lamaze child birthing classes but, after some research, realized that this method is somewhat dated (still is around, but significantly more popular in my mom's day) and explored other options that might better fit our needs.  The Bradley Method was just that.

Anyway, over the course of the classes, we were engulfed in a comprehensive overview of the birthing process, including:

• being more comfortable during pregnancy
• signs and stages of labor
• relaxation and breathing techniques
• pain management options
• the birthing experience
• talking to your OB about trying various positions during pushing
• prenatal and post partum nutrition
• walking/exercise and its benefits, leading up to labor
• what the coach should do if the baby starts to come in the car
• the coach's role during labor
• perineum massages to reduce the likelihood of tearing
• how to reduce the need for an episiotomy  
• avoiding infection after your water breaks
• cesarean sections
• breastfeeding
• importance of skin-to-skin contact with baby immediately after birth
• caring for your new baby

What I appreciated about this class is that our doula didn't make anyone feel bad for expressing an interest in having an epidural or taking pain meds. She was also realistic about cesarean sections and the increase in C-sections over the last decade.  A documentary that Derek had rented for us, "The Business of Being Born," depicted a pretty negative, political side of hospitals and C-sections.  After this startling documentary we were questioning whether cesarean sections, in many cases, are a self-serving decision that hospitals make for you, with little regard for your wishes or birth plan.  However, after the class, and also talking more extensively with my sister (and others) who'd had emergency C-sections, I felt more comfortable with C-section as a possibility.  My feeling is that whatever is in the best interest of the baby is what I want.  Derek agrees, although he is still a bit skeptical about the absolute necessity of C-sections in many cases.  Anyway, it's an interesting documentary, especially if you are one who leans toward a natural child-birthing experience (ie, home birthing, birthing pools, etc.). 

Well, in any event, we had created a tentative birth plan prior to the class but, after learning more about the process, we revised it together and have come up with a more realistic plan that we both feel confident about.  A major part of the plan is to walk as much as possible and utilize various positions to help move the baby through the birth canal.  After the class I felt strongly about allowing "gravity" to play a major role in the progression of my labor, which means I would prefer to not be confined to laying on my back in the hospital bed.  Ideally, I'd like to go through the labor process as naturally as possible; however, when the pains of labor become more than I can endure, I'll gladly opt for an epidural, if I'm not too far along in the process.

Terry, the doula who taught the class, emphasized the importance of skin-to-skin contact with baby immediately after birth, in order to faciliate the bonding experience.  In fact, she suggested that we ask nurses to delay any newborn procedures that were not urgent so that we could both have skin-to-skin with baby.  She went as far as to suggest to the fellas that they come to the hospital wearing a button-down shirt with no undershirt, in order to make skin to skin easier.  This elicited a chuckle from folks, but it actually sounded like a good idea to me.  I think this week Derek and I will begin to practice our breathing and relaxation techniques again on a nightly basis. He's also been thinking about the positive, relaxing visual imagery that he's supposed to have for me when labor gets intense.  I have faith that he's going to be a great coach!

I have my weekly OB appointment tomorrow, so I'll have an update on whether or not I've begun to dilate (last Thursday I wasn't dilated at all).  Also, we have our 3rd trimester (and final) ultrasound this Friday, so a possible weight for our baby is forthcoming! 

*Update* Ultrasound results were just fine! Predicted weight at this point: 7 lbs., 13 oz.

CLICK HERE to return to the Homepage.

Comments

[Sophia]

Great post, thanks for the input!