good, compact childbirth class?

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I've done a ton of research on natural childbirth, have chosen a supportive provider, and have taken many steps to have the best birth possible. I'm not much of a classroom learner and have severe time restraints (mainly, travel, work and my fast-approaching due-date) that preclude me from taking advantage of a longer term (Bradley style or even hypnobirthing) class. I don't feel like I'm missing out in terms of learning about interventions, how to avoid them, nutrition, etc, because these are all things I can get from a book. I do wish, however, I could participate in a truncated class that focuses more specifically on pain management strategies, stages of labor, and relaxation techniques in order to practice / supplement my self learning. Also, would like DH to participate, as his reading and research on the subject has been largely limited to what I spoonfeed him.

Can anyone recommend a one day or two day, compact naturally-oriented childbirth course that they found particularly helpful? I'm not really interested in a hospital-led course that prepares me to be a passive patient so much. I also don't want to waste time (sorry if that sounds pejorative) watching videos. I want something concise and to the point, and pinpoint focused. Anything out there for someone like me or should I just stick to the books?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

All the birthing classes I had were one-day classes given at the hospital where I planned to deliver.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't totally discount the hospital classes, especially if you're pressed for time. We took the one day class at Sibley, and I believe they offered a 2 day class specifically for folks who were planning a natural birth, where day 2 was just a lot more practice of the breathing techniques, etc.

the morning of our 1 day class was just information on the information about birth, which I already knew but was happy to sit through again since it meant DH did. And then aside from the tour we spent a couple hours on labor techniques. I actually found some of the breathing exercises helpful, and liked just actually practicing with DH to see how he could be helpful, and the class was also where we learned about the technique of having DH push a sock with a few tennis-balls against your lower sacrum. This worked quite well for me in labor, so I was very glad we had been told about it and shown 1st hand how to actually do it (we practiced in the class and the teacher came around checking on everyone like in a yoga class.) There was also a little role play on what happens in a C-section, which I was actually glad to know: I wasn't planning on a C and didn't need one, but I liked just knowing what would happen *if* an emergency arose.

Anyway, just something to look into.

[Anonymous]

Role play? How did that work? Like, you had to pretend you were in the situation? I don't think I could handle role play!!!

[Anonymous]

BTW, that may have come across rude and I didn't mean to after you wrote such a nice and helpful post. I directed the question at the role play, not at your post -- hope that came across.

[Anonymous]

I took a one-day, private, childbirth education class with Nicole Jolley of Belly Birth Services. She was really amazing (very knowledgeable and interesting) and was very flexible regarding our personal preferences - ie, with specific class content, length of class, when to have it, etc. She is an experienced doula (though I did not use her because I had two midwives) and has a ton of experience with natural childbirth, so I'm sure she could help you prepare for the birth you want. Her email address is [e-mail].

[Anonymous]

22:37 here - sorry, role play is really the wrong phrase. The teacher just had different people volunteer to be the individuals involved, starting with Mom, etc., then would position them the way they would be in the room, and explaining who they were / what they would be doing, etc. So explaining how the Mom would be positioned on the table, where Dad would be in the room, where the various Drs would be and who they all were, etc. Really I guess it would be like staging the scene of a C-section for a play or something like that, but no actual acting, just who goes where when.

[Anonymous]

Sorry - that last post was from 19:48 in response to 22:37. I should really go to bed! And definitely didn't take your question as rude! Made me realize I definitely hadn't conveyed the meaning I meant to. hope my follow up made it a bit clearer.

And FWIW, I did wind up getting an Epi when the pain got bad, but I'm hoping for an unmedicated birth for #2. Once the epi was in and they checked me I was already at 8cm so it was the pain of transition, I just didn't realize it at the time. But the breathing and relaxing really helped me through labor up until that point (mostly done on all fours - I'd sit cross legged on the bed and just rock forward for a contraction.)

[Anonymous]

thank you for clearing that up! I just had these bizarre visions of having to go through this faux dialogue where someone is the doctor and someone is the patient / husband / etc and you had to work on what you'd say / questions you'd ask in case of a c-section. Shows how you should never jump to conclusions!

I am going to research both leads -- the hospital course and the Nicole Jolley course. Thank you! I'm delivering at Sibley as well, so since you really liked their classes maybe I shouldn't have counted them out so quickly. Appreciate the leads!