Birth and Labor Class

Wow, it was over a month ago that we went to this class... and I never posted about it... shame on me!

We chose to go to a Birth and Labor class, per the suggestion in our book and by our doctor. I kept explaining it to everyone, including Mike, as a Newborn Basics class- learn how to change the diapers, etc. We check the paperwork as we are heading out the door... and it says to bring pillows. Alright? Pillows it is.

We arrive at the class (which is labeled weekend intensive) and meet some other great couples. The instructor goes around the room asking what we'd like to get out of the class, etc. I say something about being prepared for when the baby gets here...

TOO BAD I'M IN THE WRONG CLASS! I'm in the class I signed us up for, it just isn't the class I THOUGHT I signed us up for. This one involves watching birth and labor videos... breathing... and learning about what happens during labor and childbirth (hence the name of the class).

So, change the mindset, and hold onto your chair.

We had an awesome time; learning all about the stages of labor, contractions, anatomy of the pregnant body, watching delivery videos and practicing breathing techniques. We both actually learned a lot!

We learned about patterned breathing, repetitive breathing... and some other kinds of breathing (note to self, review this asap). We also learned that you don't have to labor lying down in bed and that we'll need to have a labor project to do once we go into labor, but contractions aren't close enough together... (This will most likely involve me kicking Mike's butt at Dr. Mario on the Wii!)

During the class you stand facing your partner and practicing the hee, hee, hee, hoo breathing. The two of us thought it was hilarious, while everyone else in the room was very serious. I can only hope that our Labor and Delivery is as much fun as we were having in that moment.

The biggest take-away I'd say I got out of the class though, was the fact that we are having OUR baby! Even if we are in a hospital, we still know what is best for our baby and we can express what we want for him. It was so empowering. We plan to delay the clamping of the cord until it stops pulsating, hold that baby as soon as he is born, delay the eye goop and shots... let his first hours in this world be with the two people who love him most! Who knew we even had those choices to make??

After we left that class, we signed up for Newborn Basics and a Breastfeeding class. (And were just as pleased with both of those classes- 100% recommend them to expectant parents!!)