Childbirth Preparation Classes

We've made it to 35 and a half weeks!  This past weekend my husband and I attended childbirth preparation classes at the hospital.  The classes lasted two days, all day long.  What a great experience.  We were surrounded by at least ten other couples expecting babies anytime from next week to June.  There were a few babies due right around the same time as Baby Foley.  The instructor was really awesome.  She is what made the class fun and engaging versus what could have easily been a lecture style class filled with too much info for one weekend.  I was nervous that learning too much information about what is to come would be overwhelming, but I am left feeling well-prepared and ready for the big day.  It's a true reminder that "knowledge is power."

We went over all the logistics of what could happen during the birthing process from a regular delivery to the need for a cesarean birth.  We talked medication choices, having  a solid birthing plan, and breathing techniques to implement during the laboring process.  We learned all the ins and outs of breastfeeding.  We also discussed caring for a newborn and mommy postpartum.  The best part was that we practiced relaxation techniques that involved massages from daddy. ;) 

The instructor shared many anecdotes about her own four births and her experiences as a labor and delivery nurse throughout the years.  She was humorous and interesting to listen to.  The most crazy part of the weekend was when she told a story about a baby that, during delivery, was presenting with a prolapsed cord.  She spoke about the nurse's (name withheld here for privacy) quick reaction to the emergency and how she essentially saved the baby by first discovering the situation quickly and then shoving the cord back up inside with her own hand until the doctor was able to safely remove the baby via another method.  The instructor said it is the only time she has seen this situation occur and that it happened over 15 years ago at a different hospital than the one where the class was taking place.  The most amazing part of this story was that this nurse she spoke about is OUR NEIGHBOR!!  The instructor had no idea that we knew this woman.  She shares the story with every class she teaches.  Out of over a million people in this city, what are the chances of that??  Talk about reassurance if things get tough for us. 

Overall, my husband and I are feeling less nervous about what to expect.  That is for sure.  I'm crossing my fingers and praying to make it to at least 37 weeks and to have a normal delivery without an epidural.  However, we will do whatever necessary to make sure Baby Foley enters this world healthy and safe.  Here are some images from the weekend and from the very informative class book entitled The Gift of Motherhood by Dianne E. Moran and G. Byron Kallam:

 The round nametags represent the 10 cm. of dilation.  Cute touch huh?

Look how squished the intestines are!

 I will certainly be breastfeeding.  I always had planned to, but if I had any doubts, this class reassured why it would be silly to choose otherwise.

  This is a picture of the situation our neighbor labor and delivery nurse helped resolve.  If the cord presents itself like this, the baby's oxygen and blood supply could be compromised.  Not good.