Childbirth Class #2

Last night was the 2nd in the series of 4 childbirth classes we are taking. The class focused on relaxation techniques as well as walking through what will happen when we are in the hospital, what the hospital has to offer, and common practices. We also had to take a quiz with our partner and discuss the answers. My husband and I were on the same page with everything so that made me feel good, because some of the stuff on the quiz, we never really talked about before.

The relaxation started off with everyone laying on yoga mats and the instructor gave us bags of ice cubes. These were suppossed to simulate a contraction. We had to hold the ice in our hand for one full minute while thinking, "oh this is so cold" and she was also vocally saying negative things about how bad the ice felt. Then we repeated the activity at the end of class trying to use the techniques she had taught us.

For techniques, a lot of it was changing positions from laying down to standing to hugging to different things on the "birthing ball" (aka exercise ball). The husbands also learned some different massage techniques and maneuvers that suppossedly help.

The second half of the class went through labor, pushing and delivery. It was helpful because I hadn't really had anything broken down for me and the nurse did a great job explaining things. She also did a really good job of addressing, what if X happens how would the team respond. So we learned about when forceps/vacuum would be used (less than 5% of births), if and when episiotomies are used (very rarely - phew!), etc. As usual, she was also good to point out how everyone's labor will be different and that this is just a general overview.

We also had the poop on the table discussion. "I know you are all thinking about it" our instructor commented. Interestingly enough, I had the poop on the table conversation with a group of my friends (preggos and non) on Saturday night with our friend who is an ob/gyn, Dr. B. Dr. B pointed out that 85% of women poop on the table and that it is not a big deal. She said that it is actually good when it happends because then "we know that you are using the right muscles". Our instructor echoed this last night followed by "what happens in labor and delivery, stays in labor and delivery."

Oh man. Everybody poops I guess.