Childbirth Preparation Class

Mike and I had our Childbirth Preparation Class today. We went through the express one. I was so thinking that we would be the couple that had the due date the farthest out, but we weren't, so it was nice. There were 11 couples. I guess that's a pretty full class, normally they don't have that many, and I guess normally they don't fill up all their classes, but since all the classes are full until June they are adding classes.

Our teacher Peggy was great, she is a mother of 5 girls and had natural childbirths for them all and they were all premature babies. We started out the class with learning about relaxation and communication between the mother and her partner. Then we got to try out some different positions to try during the contractions and also the different breathing techniques. It was really great to try the different positions, on the birthing ball, on my side etc and to try the different breathing techniques.

We watched a few videos on birthing, techniques, and some other things. They showed about epidurals, different meds that can be used during delivery. It was good to see, they did a great job of showing the benefits and the side effects or risk to the mother and the baby with all of them. Made me realize more and more that I want to have a natural childbirth. I know I know a lot of you out there that have had children will be like "just get the epidural" But I really want to try without it as much as I can before getting it. I will be talking with my midwife about when I can get one, when is the latest time I can get one, just so we have our options open.

We got to tour the birthing suite and I thought it was amazing before I saw it in person, but it can't even be described how neat it is. There are 6 birthing suites, they said they haven't yet been full, but if they were they would use the triage rooms. There are about 6 or so triage rooms that you go into to see if you are ready to be admitted or not, and then a TON of postpartum rooms. It was really nice to see all of them. The tubs in the bathrooms in the birthing suites are amazing. Big enough for Mike to get in there with me - he is planning on packing his swim suit just in case. They have ipod docking stations, TV's and surround sound. I can't wait.