Class #6 Ready, Set, Baby! by Mama to be, Abby Jordan

We had our final class of the 6 week session at Baby Love Birth Services this week. This was the okay you have had the pregnancy talks, the labor training and now you are going to get the baby.

You've worked so hard to get baby here and all you want to do is squeeze it and cuddle it and kiss, kiss and kiss it. Sure people are still down around where the baby came out checking in on things, maybe sewing things up (ouch) but you have your baby. The pain has subsided and you have your baby.

This was another class where I kept turning to Scott saying, "write that down!". There was a lot I didn't know about what happens after you have the baby and what your options are. I've heard of immediate skin-to-skin contact and definitely wanted that to happen. We've also talked about Scott cutting the cord. This is another thing I had no idea about. Instead of the doctor clamping the cord right away so dad can cut it, she can wait until it stops pulsating. This continues to give baby tons of oxygenated blood and nutrients for a few more minutes. At that time she can clamp and dad can cut. Now, you can have the sweet little baby up by your face loving it up. Who would ever want that to end? So, if requested there should really be no reason that baby can't stay there for the next hour while they give he/she an Apgar score once or twice and perform a couple other tests. They

don't have to whisk him/her away right away and poke and prod the sweet little peanut just yet. This will also give you the opportunity to breast feed within the first 15 or 20 minutes of life which could be one of the biggest favors you ever do for your child.

So, once that baby is born our plan is for it to come directly to my naked abdomen or chest for comforting and body temp regulation. Not having the cord clamped immediately but waiting for it to stop pulsating, breastfeeding as soon as possible and then to have some very tender first moments as a family with our brand new baby.

I talked to my doctor about all of this and she said it was possible and that the nurses were all very familiar with all of these practices. She also did not hesitate to say, if there is any trauma while the baby is being born this all may have to pushed aside so they can work on baby. We get it, but this is our ideal situation.

We also had graduation this week complete with a hospital bed cake. Barbie is on a birth ball and Ken is coaching her. They are not cake, just decoration.

Class #5 Delivery Rehearsal, OMG! by Mama to be, Abby Jordan

On the way to class tonight my husband and I remembered that we would be continuing our labor "dry" run and rehearsing the birth. To be honest, I wasn't very excited for more simulated contractions!! And what would a labor rehearsal be like?? All I can say is, I wish we were rehearsing this every week from now until the big day.

Scott and I were able to work through each situation. My controlling self was able to hear how Scott would answer the nurse when she went through the motions of trying to get things "moving" along. For the most part, he did such a great job. He kept telling her that while we are open to the procedures she was suggesting, we will be switching positions and doing our own thing for now. Great job, honey! I'm so glad we got to practice!

The other thing we really focused on in class was our birth plan. It was great to hear Kristi say that no matter what you put on your birth plan, things will most likely change. I have heard this from so many people, including my doctor. That was definitely reassuring.

After going through the first 5 classes I feel like we have a really good idea of what our ideal birth would be. We are excited to put a birth plan together and to have a guide to follow on the big day. Even with all this preparation I still really have no idea how things are going to go, how I am going to feel or what our baby is going to need through all of this. It is so important to me that my husband and I are on the same page with our vision of the perfect birth but that we might need to take some detours along the way.

Class #4 Labor Dry Run! by Mama to be, Abby Jordan

How many of you actually acted out what might happen when you went into labor for the first time? I had never heard of such of thing. Well, last night that's exactly what we did. We spent an hour and a half timing contractions, changing positions and being coached by our partners. My husband and I are still on the fence about a doula so this was a very important class for a few reasons. It gave him a chance to practice being my husband during labor and to practice being my coach. It gave me a chance to let go and to let him do the coaching. It also helped us work out some quirks, like breathing and the way he rubs my back.

Labor will be hard enough (so I've heard) as it is but I'm especially scared because I really like to be in control, of every situation. If you know me, you know it's true. I can't help it. So, labor is going to be a tough one for me. We know we really want to try and have our baby the most natural way possible. Mostly, I don't want pitocin and I don't want a c-section. I think I've mentioned this before. Therefore, we signed up for these classes to get a better understanding of the things we can do to help make this happen.

Last night we used ice to simulate the intensity of contractions. First we held onto bags of ice for the length of the contractions, next we had to put our hands in a bowl of ice and by the end we were dipping our hands in ice water. Ouch! Now, I'm sure those of you who have experienced labor thinks this probably pales in comparison to real contractions. I'm sure it does too. This was not to show us the level of pain. We used it to practice with our partners, what they should be doing and NOT doing during the different levels of intensity.

We want to stay at home and labor as long as possible. We want to be comfortable and in our own space. We practiced different positions so we could keep moving and get that baby moving in the right direction too. I really liked the lunge pose and the birth ball. Scott was there to remind me to take sips of water, change positions, rub my back and remind me to breathe. As of now, he's my couch. He really has the biggest responsibility. He has to keep me calm and focused. Eyes on the prize! Afterall, we are getting a baby out of all of this!

Class 3 = Stick it in!

That's what she said. OK, that's what I said when I was pregnant with my first baby with regard to the epidural. I sat through the childbirth classes and used it as a "moment" for the hubby and I to share in our pregnancy journey and that was it. I totally tuned out the c-section talk because there was no way that would happen to me, and we giggled as he sat behind me squeezing my ample butt in a poor attempt at the double hip squeeze...it was supposed to help me handle contractions, but there was a little secret my childbirth teacher didn't know. I didn't need all that pain management crap since I was getting the epidural the moment I felt my uterus twinge...so THERE!

Induction day arrived and I went into the hospital ready to get the pitocin and epidural package. But to my horror...that bitch nurse made me contract for HOURS without getting the pain relief!! WHY didn't anyone tell me I had to dilate at LEAST until 3 to get it?? Or had she? Who cared...it hurt like hell and all I did was lie in the bed in the fetal position and grab my husband's hand and cry and hiss for "that boy" (AKA the hot resident) who was chatting it up during my contractions (which, by the way, hurt so bad I could ignore his bedroom eyes and curly black hair...OK, I noticed it!) to get the flick out so I could writhe in my own misery without anyone looking at me.

Fast forward to last winter. I decided it was time to teach women that A. Normal Birth is GOOD. (notice I didn't say natural...although that is good, too!) B. If you want a natural and normal birth, it doesn't make you crazy, a martyr, a fool, or any of the other BS people tell you if you dare to say those words. C. You can have a healthier birth WITH an epidural...yes, you heard that right...WITH an epidural. That's what my classes are about. Teaching those that want a normal birth to have one, and those that want an epidural how to do it BETTER than I did and how most women in Omaha do...so the baby and they can have the best start possible.

Ok...that's as serious as I get. Next week we're on to labor rehearsal. OOOOOOH boy..I LOVE it! These mom's and dad's can put the info they've had so far to use!

'Till next week!
K