Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Getting ready for baby...Childbirth classes

So last Sunday, J & I took our first childbirth class. It was quite an experience and I must admit that a lot of the information was quite scary.

I spent most of the class thinking "wow...there's no turning back now!" And J spent most of it rubbing my back and saying "its OK...just tell me what you want as your push gift!"

The class started out with a video after initial introductions were done and the instructor who also happens to be a nurse at the hospital where we'll be having our baby was quite detail oriented.

I had never heard the term "ring of fire" until I heard and saw it in one of the videos. Umm...OUCH!!! All I can say is KUDOS to all the moms out there. You all really deserve a lot of praise on a daily basis.

Then there was the "show and tell" portion of the class. The lady actually brought in an epidural needle and the tube that goes into it to feed the meds. I was leaning towards going natural due to my very real and SEVERE fear of needles. After seeing that epidural needle my mind was made up. I mean, seriously??? That thing is HUGE!!! I know...my fear might have exaggerated its size a little bit in my head but still...
I found a picture on the web with a comparison shot.


THEN the instructor says "about 90% of first time moms end up with an epidural".

Let's just say I am now starting to wonder if its worth it to have a real birth plan or if I should just go with the flow. The instructor says its worth it. I definitely do plan on practicing my breathing though. I know I'll need it.

After I got home, I told my mom about the class and she said "don't you appreciate me more now that you know what it took to bring all 6 of you into this world?" And my response to her was "ummm...no...I think I would have appreciated you more if I was a boy and didn't have to go through it at all!!!" Of course I was joking and am glad she thought it was funny.

Thoughts/Random Questions:
For the moms out there, did you take a child birth class? If so, did it help or scare you?

For non-moms, have you given any thoughts to how you'd like to deliver when the time comes? I always thought I'd go with an epidural but after seeing that needle, my fear far outweighs the thought of pain...for now :-).

19 comments:

  1. I took all of the birth classes that they offered. I don't know how much they really helped in the end but I think a birth plan is a good idea, in general. PS- did you know you're a no-reply commenter?

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    1. Thank you. I think I'll actually start putting a plan in writing so that I am not too overwhelmed as things draw closer.

      What's a "no-reply commenter"? I didn't know I had that as my setting. Any ideas how I can change that? Thank you!

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  2. I took birth class but it did not help me. I just went with the flow. Thank God for epidural, I was in heaven.

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    1. LOL...I have heard that a lot about the classes not really helping. I figured at this point, its more for information only.
      I'll be relying on God to see me through the process. Already have a few gospel songs I'd like to have in the room to help keep me calm.
      Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  3. I've always said epidural for me. I think when you are in so much pain you would take the pain of the needle to get some relief.

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    1. I hear ya. I honestly always thought I would go the epidural route too (haven't completely ruled it out yet though). I guess the biggest thing for me is that I find myself getting more stressed out thinking about the needle than thinking about the pain of child birth. So to help me with that, I figured I should prepare myself for going without.
      I am the kind of person whose arm starts to hurt DAYS before I have to go in for a shot. I have to talk myself into getting a shot or getting blood drawn.

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  4. I did not take a childbirth class but I wish I did because I think it would have helped hubby a lot. Poor guy had no idea what he was getting himself into!!! The birthing process was quite the eye opener for him.
    As far as the epidural goes. In the vast majority of women only a small portion of the needle goes into your back. The manufactors made the tuoy needle long enough to reach the epidural space in obese women as well as thin women! Plus you won't feel the pain of that needle going into your back bc the anesthesiologist should give you a numbing shot before hand. The numbing shot is actually the worst part. It will feel like a little bee sting and then burn for a few seconds and then everything should go numb and the tuoy needle should just feel like pressure! I've put in hundreds of epidurals and the vast majority of women do just fine during the process even if they were terrified beforehand!!! Praying for ya honey!

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    1. Thanks Amy. Like the instructor told us, "be flexible". I know I say I want to go natural due to my fear but if the pain outweighs that come delivery day, I will change my mind and feel not guilt about it either :-).

      Do you have patients who are terrified of needles? If so, how did they do?

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  5. I was too cheap to pay for the classes but it's great you are taking the classes...it will come in handy!!

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    1. LOL...I didn't want to pay either but hubby insisted we take it just so we know what to expect. I also thought our FSA (flexible spending account) would cover the expense but it didn't.

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  6. I took a childbirth class before I had my first. I think it helped a lot. But nothing beats experience. Going through it the second time was so much easier, and now the third time I'm not worried about it at all.

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    1. Cool. Did you take a refresher course for the second kid ? Our hospital recommends it but I think I'll likely skip it for the next.

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    2. No I didn't take a refresher course. They even asked if I wanted to take a refresher course for my 3rd, but I think I'm good. It's something that you really won't forget. I'm doing hypnobabies again too. I'll probably start it again within the next 2 weeks.

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    3. I Downloaded the hypnobirthing breathing exercises. I think its different from hypnobabies. Although I am not sure.

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    4. I think so. Here's the link https://www.hypnobabies.com/

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    5. Thank you so much for the link. Checking it out now!

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  8. I took a child birth class with the first and I thought it was somewhat helpful. We didn't bother doing that with the second and won't with any subsequent kids because nothing beats experience.

    As far as the epidural goes, I say go with the flow. With my first I didn't want one because no one in my family has ever had one and they've all had loads of kids. Let me tell you the epidural was the best thing I have ever done for myself. Why go through all the pain if you don't have to? I was a much happier mom because I was relaxed and didn't spend hours in ridiculous pain.

    As soon as I got to the hospital with my second, I requested my epidural before anything. I have never seen the needle and did not feel it going in. My anesthesiologist is like my best friend.

    I like the idea of a birth plan because it gives you an idea what to expect. Just stay flexible. Good luck to you. Women have been giving birth for centuries so don't worry too much :) (if that's at all possible)

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  9. You know what? You hit the nail on the head with one of my fears. No one else in my family (female sharing the same DNA) has used an epidural for delivery and I am also concerned about how I would react to it.

    I'll definitely stay flexible and put together a plan A & plan B.
    Thanks for sharing your experience. It helped!

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