The Journey of Parenthood…

Prepared Childbirth Class: Night One

Tonight was night one (of two) of the Prepared Childbirth Class. This is the class. The one with all the intimate details of delivery!

We did watch the video showing birth and it wasn’t as graphic as I thought it would be…but it doesn’t look very pleasant either!

Here are some things I learned during this class:

  • We can video tape! Just not the actual delivery but everything else!
  • The staff won’t tell anyone anything which is good (we don’t want someone finding out the sex until WE tell them!)
  • During labor I need to shift how I am laying and urinate often because sitting in one position too long or holding in my pee will make the process longer
  • We need to make sure to pack plenty of snacks for Zach and to bring a focal point (which is like a picture of the ultrasound or something positive for me to focus on)
  • I can stay home until my water breaks or until my contractions become 3-5 minutes apart
  • During early labor (when contractions are 5-30 min apart) I need to SLEEP as much as I can and EAT because I won’t be allowed to eat or drink at all when I get to the hospital
  • If I want one, they can give me an enema to let me “go #2” before real labor starts so I won’t go on the table (but I think most people just go on the table…at that point will I even notice?)

Some of my feelings during this class:

  • It does feel much more REAL. Like this is going to happen and there is nothing I can do about it!
  • A picture in the book they gave us shows what 10 cm (fully dialated) actually looks like. And that freaks me out! It’s not even half the size of the baby’s head!
  • The broke down all the stages and phases of labor and the LENGTH of each. Um first phase: 8 hours, second phase: 4-5 hours, third phase: 30 min – 2 hours) and that’s just during the FIRST stage! Second stage lasts up to 2 hours and the last one is between 5 and 15 min. So worst case senario…I’m looking at 17 hours, 17. UGH!
  • Knowing the amount of time is what makes me freak out. That’s so so so so long. And to think my mom was in there 24 with me! A whole day! Hearing that sounds bad, but considering actually living it sounds terrible.
  • It makes me lean even more towards not getting an epidural. Why make it last any longer? I wish it was SO SO SO painful but only lasted 30 min. That’d be awesome.

Some decisions we made after the class:

  • They said people can come in and out of the room up until I’m 10 cm dialated. Sorry it isn’t happening. I know myself and Zach said he agrees with me that I’ll probably want to be alone. So I think it’s best if people want to come up there to say hey or whatever fine but that we’ll just send a text or call once I get to 7 cm so people can then head up to wait in the waiting room that wants to. I’d feel bad everyone waiting for 17 hours!!!
  • Something that I thought was really neat is that Rachael’s (I think it was you wasn’t it?) family and all went out to eat while they waited! I think that’s really fun and I know if I was in the waiting room I’d be down for something like that to still share the excitement but not be stuck in the hospital waiting.
  • Zach will probably pop his head out and just say how far along I am but he’s going to be staying WITH me at all times!
  • We decided we want our immediate family (parents, siblings, and siblings signifcant others) to come in the room after I get done nursing to see us and be introduced to the baby (and this is the point when they will find out the sex and name!)
  • Then after they have their time privately we’ll welcome anyone else that’s up there in to share the good news!

Part Two to come tomorrow night!

Emily Parker
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3 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    January 6, 2009 / 4:42 pm

    I had epidurals with both babies. With my first I realized around 6AM I was in labor and she was born at 4:18PM. With the second I realized I was in labor also around 6AM and she was born right at 1:30. Just my personal opinion but I was much more able to focus and push and enjoy labor with the epidural.With the second one we were laughing and joking the whole time and it was a lovely experience.

    Reply
  2. Anonymous
    January 6, 2009 / 5:54 pm

    who the heck wrote that above me?! 🙂 haha-make sure you take snacks-MAKE SURE YOU EAT! I was lucky enough to have a fast labor, but all I had was a bagel about 12 but no dinner until 12!-I did my own enema, in the comfort of my home and it worked out perfectly! No pooping on the table, but I did pee once she came out… haha I had no idea!-the stages of labor freaked me out. But for ME, I slept through the whole first phase so I really wasn’t paying attention to “phases”-our family did go and eat together, they had a blast!-I didn’t mind Greg leaving, our parents brought him back some dinner and he visited them in the waiting room for about 20 minutes. -I can’t imagine having ANYONE in the room AT ALL without an epidural. -I have learned, that you can “try” to plan it, but you just HAVE NO IDEA how labor will progress so it’s really useless to plan. (I know you hate that!!!!)Rachael

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth
    January 6, 2009 / 11:56 pm

    Don’t even think about labor. It will not be a very fun day, but you will get the best gift ever! Eat and drink lots and lots of water. They will only let you have ice while you are in labor, so get as hydrated as you can. Every second is well worth it. I would do it everyday for Damian if I had to! I’m here if you have any questions!

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