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pink_poodle · Apr 21, 2010, 12:42 PM

So my husband and I went to a labor and delivery class last weekend at the hospital. They showed us the room I would be delivering in, heart monitors, any questions I had they answered, they gave us a tour of the nursery, and showed me some breathing techniques. Are there any other classes I need to go to? Like is someone going to teach me how to push or does that just happen? What other classes should I look into I'm already at 35 weeks

J_9 · Apr 21, 2010, 12:50 PM

Are you going to breastfeed? If so, a breastfeeding class may be good.

There is no real way to teach you to push. The best way I can tell you, as I tell my patients, is when the time comes you will take a big breath, hold it, put your chin to your chest and bear down like you are having a bowel movement.

However, when the time comes, your body will take over and you will just push. There's really no teaching to it.

Do you plan on getting the epidural? If so, you may find it a little hard to know just when to push at first. If that's the case, your nurses will coach you.

pink_poodle · Apr 21, 2010, 01:08 PM

Im going to try to breast feed hopefully my baby cooperates because I know breast milk is the best thing for him. I have a nursing class May 8. And yes I WANT an epidural! I just want to feel prepared I'm so scared I'm going to freak out when I go into labor and be clueless as what to do

J_9 · Apr 21, 2010, 01:11 PM

Talk to me hun. I am a labor and delivery nurse. This is what I do for a living.

What do you want to know?

pink_poodle · Apr 21, 2010, 01:15 PM

Im scared of having an episiotomy or tearing.What can help prevent that?

J_9 · Apr 21, 2010, 01:21 PM

There is really nothing YOU can do to prevent that, this would be the doctor or nurse. I frequently do a perineal massage. This is when you are up in stirrups pushing. I keep my fingers in the vagina and massage the bottom half, helping it to stretch.

The epis/tear only happens when there is not quite enough room for the head to come out. If it happens you can ask for epifoam afterwards. It will help soothe your bottom.

I rarely attend a patient with an epis. Tears are more likely and much easier to tolerate.

pink_poodle · Apr 21, 2010, 01:31 PM

Ouch! All right thanks!

J_9 · Apr 21, 2010, 01:33 PM

You won't feel it with the epidural

pink_poodle · Apr 21, 2010, 01:37 PM

Oh also I haven't produced breast milk. When will it start? My mother in law told me to massage my nipples in the shower but it hasn't worked so far

J_9 · Apr 21, 2010, 01:46 PM

You won't produce breast milk until about the third day of breast feeding. If you massage your nipples now, you risk premature labor as massaging the nipple produces oxytocin. Don't do that yet. Baby is too young.

Colostrum is what you should be producing shortly.

DoulaLC · Apr 21, 2010, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by pink_poodle

oh also i havent produced breast milk. when will it start? my mother in law told me to massage my nipples in the shower but it hasnt worked so far

Some women leak a bit towards the end of pregnancy, many do not. You don't need to do anything to help it along or "prepare your nipples" as used to be suggested. If you try to hand express a bit now you would likely see small drops of a creamy liquid. This is the colostrum J_9 was talking about and is all most babies need in the first couple of days. Frequent breastfeeding will help bring in your mature breastmilk. For some women this may happen while still in hospital, for many not until they are home. You will feel as though you are wearing baby to start with... this is normal and it helps build your supply while letting you and baby establish breastfeeding.

It is important not to compare a breastfed baby with a formula fed baby as they will eat at slightly different rates and gain weight differently.
I'd be curious to hear what your breastfeeding class goes over if you don't mind sharing after you attend.

Did the childbirth class talk about various comfort measures? Things you can do to help yourself be more comfortable before you get the epidural? Things your partner or support person can do for you? Ways to possibly help your labor progress? How to avoid interventions and when they may be necessary?

pink_poodle · Apr 21, 2010, 05:33 PM

At the class they showed me positions where I could sit on a ball, w/ and w/o my husband and rock my hips or stand while in my husbands arms. Also I could have my husband rub my back.As for interventions the nurse made it seem as if the doctor or nurse was doing something that it was for a reason and not just to cause me pain

DoulaLC · Apr 21, 2010, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by pink_poodle

at the class they showed me positions where i could sit on a ball, w/ and w/o my husband and rock my hips or stand while in my husbands arms. Also i could have my husband rub my back.As for interventions the nurse made it seem as if the doctor or nurse was doing something that it was for a reason and not just to cause me pain

There certainly are good reasons for interventions, but sometimes they are used when not truly medically warranted. The downside is that they themselves may cause other interventions to become necessary.
If interested, you could look into information about ways you might be able to avoid some interventions; things you can try yourself first.

There is no right or wrong way to give birth, but it is important to be informed about the options that may be available to you so that you can make informed decisions. Feel free to ask questions... :)

pink_poodle · Apr 21, 2010, 07:30 PM

My only fear is the pain. I watch all those baby story shows on TLC and 16& pregnant everyone takes the pain differently. Im just trying to get it in my mind to stay calm. Ive also been stretching my legs and hips.. Im making a list of things I need to take with me to the hospital.

DoulaLC · Apr 21, 2010, 07:44 PM

I tell the people in my classes to watch those shows if they want to, but to keep in mind that they often show the ones that are pretty dramatic because they tend to be the most "entertaining"... :)

When you watch them, think about what you might do differently if in the same situation. What do their support people do for them to help, what do they do for themselves? Granted you only see snipets of the labor and birth, but you can still give some thought to what other options might they try.

Pain is usually part of childbirth... even if you get an epidural you will go through some labor before that point, but it can be manageable. Sometimes we have to rethink how we view things when it has to with childbirth. While pain normally tells us something is wrong, the normal sequence of labor pain tells us our body is doing the work it needs to; what our body is designed to do. Pain is not fun by any means, but it doesn't have to be dreadful either. There are numerous options for comfort, including pain medications and the epidural.

Have you considered a waterbirth? Is that an option where you are? Or perhaps just spending part of your labor in the shower or a tub. If a warm bath or shower is comforting to you now, it likely will be while in labor too if you have that option.

DoulaLC · Apr 21, 2010, 07:59 PM

Just a few things to add to your list, if you don't have them already:

*sweatshirt or light jacket for hubby... rooms can be cold even though you may be able to control temp
*breathmints... you will be breathing on each other for quite awhile... :)
*snacks/drinks for him in a small cooler
*massage lotions/oils for aromatherapy
*rice sock... check to see if you would be able to bring one or they might have them there for you to use
*music... a variety of genres
*juice/something like sprite/popsicles/italian ices for yourself if you are able to and if they don't provide them
*something to pull your hair back
*chap stick

pink_poodle · Apr 22, 2010, 09:03 AM

Have you considered a waterbirth? Is that an option where you are? Or perhaps just spending part of your labor in the shower or a tub. If a warm bath or shower is comforting to you now, it likely will be while in labor too if you have that option.[/QUOTE]

No water birth isn't an option and there aren't any tubs but at the class they did say that I would be allowed to get in the shower during labor.

***also when do you think would be the best time to pack my things for the hospital?

Aurora_Bell · Apr 22, 2010, 09:38 AM

PInk! I have been thinking about you! Have you decided what you are going to do? Are you feeling any better?

Aurora_Bell · Apr 22, 2010, 09:42 AM

Oh and I didn't leak at all, my milk came in after my daughter was born. It hurt like heck, but if you stick through it, it is so rewarding.

I packed a week before my due date. I ended up having a c section, so it was good that I did, plus you never know if you are going to go early.

I watched a nursing video provided by my hospital. I am sure you could get the video on the internet, or even at the library.

Oh and bring your own super heavy pads. The hospital ones don't do much for making you feel any better!

pink_poodle · Apr 22, 2010, 10:35 AM

Aurora_Bell! Thank you for thinking about me. Now that the due date is closer I'm actually not feeling depressed anymore. I come to realize that everything does happen for a reason and this baby isn't such a bad thing and I'm not at all in the worst of situations. I mean its bad but not the worst. Talking to my husband helped I am truly blessed for having him. Hes been so patient and he's going to be a wonderful father. He kind of just opened my eyes to how the problems in this world that are so much bigger than mine.

We've been decorating the nursery and my mother in law recently had a baby shower for me so I'm getting really excited for my baby to get here =D

I guess I was having a moment and needed to share what I was feeling inside. Sometimes you just need to say what you feel even if you don't like what you have to say. Its not good to hold things in because it creates fear and anger.

oh and about the pads at the hospital I read somewhere online that it might be a good idea to buy those depends type under wear which are like pampers for grown ups? Instead of pads? What do u think?