Childbirth preparation class
Last week I briefly mentioned the childbirth preparation class that Kurt and I took. This Saturday was the second half of that class and they showed another one of *those* movies. In both of the vaginal birth movies that they showed as the baby comes out they place her on mom’s chest. While both movies moved me to near tears at that very scene I still think that’s just disgusting – don’t they realized where that baby has been? For nine months she’s been swimming in her own urine!!
Kurt’s coworkers have been telling him that many of the classes are a waste of time. The consensus in the circle of his coworkers seems is to just take the CPR and feeding your baby classes, but I did learn some things that I think are helpful in the childbirth preparation class like how to know when you’re having the real contractions, when to head to the hospital, differences in pain killers, and what the hospital will provide during labor and after the birth. They gave us a book (Pregnancy Childbirth and the Newborn: The Complete Guide), but the instructor left it up to us to actually read it on our own, which is nice. She gave us the overview of many different things and the parts that I want more information on I can look up in a book recommended by the hospital vs. trying to figure out which website is really telling me the truth!
The part that didn’t help me at all was seeing those movies! On the first Saturday they showed a birth that was 100% all natural and on this Saturday they showed us one that was a vaginal birth but the mom had an epidural. They showed where and how the epidural is inserted, which didn’t seem as bad as I thought, but then there is the IV, the catheter (didn’t actually see that inserted – thank goodness) and the internal baby monitor. I don’t want to be hooked up to so much stuff. Wires, tubes such hanging off of and out of me - I’ll pass thank you. The idea of feeling so much pain isn’t incredibly enduring to me either. Just because I live with Kurt doesn’t mean I’m a masochist! – He’s an entirely different kind of pain in the ass. After seeing that movie I was thinking – oh I just can’t do this vaginally at all. Then they showed us an unplanned cesarean section. Using movie animation they showed where and how the cut is done, but even with mere animation – oh I can’t do that either. I’m sorry Sophia but you’re just going to have to stay where you are. Just keep on kicking around in there. Heartburn isn’t so bad. I can handle some heartburn.
At the end of the movie about the cesarean section the couple was shown with their now toddler and they talked about the experience. They had wanted an all-natural birth, but the baby was just too big. Somewhere in their background story the father made the comment that the birth of his daughter was the most important moment in his life. I didn’t see it and probably shouldn’t mention it, but Kurt told me later that… (looking around the room – sssshhh) he started tearing up a bit at that scene.
August 14th, 2007 at 12:50pm
Hey, just a quick note- I had my first kiddo all natural, beacause I didn’t have a choice, and it was quick and somewhat painful but I didn’t yell and make a bunch of noise and I think concentrating on a focal point helped.(I think being fairly young helped also) My water broke on it’s own too.The Dr. had to break it with my next two.When I had my daughter my dad could hear me yelling from the waiting room.They said I was too far along for an epidural, (although I’ve recently seen people get them at that point now)but gave me something to ease the pain- didn’t work.It made me tired between contractions.It didn’t help that it was Christmas and my husband, male Dr. and male nurse were all watching golf on the tv at one point.Thank you to my mom and mom-in-law for having some female help. :o)She was by far my most painful. And with my last son I had an epidural.It was great.It did take longer though, for the delivery and to get up and moving afterwards.I never had to have an internal monitor- just the ones they strap around you, and I never had to have a catheter either.I did have an IV with all of them, not sure if I had a choice.It does seem gross when the baby first come out, but you’re so relieved it’s over you really don’t even think about it.You just grab them without thinking.Well I guess I should have just e-mailed you.This isn’t a very quick note.Just thought I’d share some info.Bye-Rhonda
August 16th, 2007 at 8:36am
Email or Blog Comment, either is fine. You don’t have to confine yourself to short comments on the blog
I know someone else that was young and went all natural. She also had the focal point and compared to the deliveries her mother had hers went pretty quick. That does make me wonder if age has something to do with it. I also know another person that said the stuff they give you to ease the pain didn’t work for her either, so I’m thinking if the natural stuff is just too much for me I’ll do the epidural. Thank goodness they will do that later than they used to! 
I still don’t plan to have anyone else in the room aside from Kurt - thankfully he doesn’t watch golf - I’m in trouble if there’s a motorcycle race on though. 
August 17th, 2007 at 9:44am
Erica- You have a great blog here! I have a friend who is having her first baby in September! I am going to send her to your blog! You have some great info and lots of resources! Keep up the great posts! Take care!