Childbirth class - day 1

[simpsongal]

In case y'all are interested, we had our first 3 hour class last night.  There's another tonight on epi's, c sections, and other interventions.  Last night focused on natural childbirth, signs of pre labor, etc.  The nurse was really sweet and had a lot of good advice and experience.

Some take aways (you may already know).
If you're having contractions like braxton hicks, before calling your doc (1) use the bathroom, (2) drink water, (3) and rest.  Those 3 things should stop the contractions if it's false labor.

If you're bleeding, particularly if you had a trauma, it could be a placental abruption.  Get to the hospital immediately - don't let someone drive you, call an ambulance.

When your water breaks, you need to deliver within 24 hours.  There's no going back (it's a bacterial issue).  It can break in a gush or a trickle, it just depends where it breaks inside you.  She said amniotic fluid is clear or pinkish (not bloody).  If you lose your mucus plug, that's not a cause for rush or concern. 

She mentioned the rule of thumb for heading to the hospital: 5-1-1 contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting a minute, every hour (?).  She said it's best to labor at home as long as possible.  When you get to the hospital, remember to tell the nurses if you're step B positive so they know to administer antibiotics.

She talked about ways of alleviating pain if you're having back labor - walking, rocking, keeping your legs separated, getting on all fours can help open up your pelvis and encourage the baby to spin around.  If your doc allows it, posterior delivery (on all fours) might be best.  Counter pressure on your saccrum and lower back can help relieve pain.  She said ice tends to help more than heat for back labor too.

We talked about the importance of breathing, how there's no right way to do it but try what works for you. The uterus is a giant muscle and depriving it of oxygen and water just makes things more intense.

She emphasized the importance of using gravity to encourage the baby to drop and progressing your labor.  She said massage, particularly of the scalp, hands and feet can be very helpful in blocking your pain receptors (like running a burn under cold water, you feel relief, not pain). She aso said hydrotherapy (bath/shower) is very helpful.

I asked about drinking water - she said that's a doctor specific issue.  Some are more permissive about eating & drinking, others no so much. She encouraged us to bring lollypops & ice pops to the hospital (they have some but not enough if you want one all the time).

It was a good class - I was particularly helpful to hear it all with DH.  It was empowering for coaches to hear how important they are, and how they might have to be advocates for you.

[disappointedkittens]

Awesome info!
Our teacher told us that a warm bath will usually stop braxton hicks as well I liked hearing that because I look for any excuse to take a bath these days lol.

[simpsongal]

Dec 5, 2013 10:00:14 GMT -5 disappointedkittens said:

Awesome info!
Our teacher told us that a warm bath will usually stop braxton hicks as well I liked hearing that because I look for any excuse to take a bath these days lol.

Me too - I love baths.  She said baths & heat are one of the best ways to relieve RLP and pain in the lower back (I forget what that ligament is called). 

[browneyedgirl9]

Great Info! I have mine coming up soon! We are doing the "full day" 8hr intensive class and hospital tour together

[Yankees21]

That is great info! I'm actually really excited for our classes.

[simpsongal]

I admit - I cried when they showed a live birth. Like, holy cow, this little guy is going to come out of me and they'll plop him down all gooey on my chest. So raw, so real. The nurse was saying how awesome it is that docs & hospitals recognize the value of immediate skin to skin contact. She said the baby could care less about everyone in the room except mom and dad.

[shelbyann]

Thanks for sharing! We have ours coming up in a couple of weeks too.

[vmars]

I also enjoyed birth class with DH. We did a one day class, but covered the same stuff you did. We went out and bought a birth ball afterwards and one of the massage tools I liked. Oh another good tip is to bring your own pillows….hospital pillows are awful! Oh and lip balm since the hospital is so dry. I hope I can have sips of water during labor - all that breathing makes your mouth dry.

[SJ]

Dec 5, 2013 10:10:57 GMT -5 Yankees21 said:

That is great info! I'm actually really excited for our classes.

Me too! Thank you for posting this.

We are signed up for the end of March.

[marie3246]

Thanks for this. I'm hesitant to sign up for our class because it is 8 hours and the other baby class we took was so bad. although if it could tell DH some massage techniques that could be worth it

[D2M]

I'm so glad this was such a great experience. I automatically/cynically assumed that these classes were not going to be helpful, but now I'm excited about them.