Anonymous wrote:Grandparents classes are funny. Really? How to be a grandparent?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's what I did. I picked Inova Fairfax for the NICU and proximity to home & work. I really wanted to avoid a c-section but I wanted an epidural. I did plenty of research on this and knew the risks/pros/cons of this approach. I started with the 1 day combo class at Inova Fairfax of childbirth, breastfeeding and baby care. It was quick and not a lot of info, but I knew that going in. The BF and baby care was just the right amount for us. The childbirth portion was a waste of time - not enough info at all. Again, I knew this might be the case going in.

We then did the Mind the Mat childbirth class which was 2 days, 8 hours total. This was perfect for us and really helped so much in labor with positioning and breathing and taught my DH to be an awesome labor partner and advocate for me. The labor and delivery nurses and my OB praised him so much. I had really contemplated the whole unmedicated with a doula thing but I figured I would want an epidural. I also considered Hypnobabies and Bradley, but again, wanted that epidural. I ended up getting an epidural but before that labored for about 24 hours at home. The epidural got me from 4-10 cm in a few hours (and was HEAVEN), had a vaginal birth, 48 min of pushing, and didn't need a doula at all due to my DH's help to labor at home as long as possible and work through with breathing and the skills we learned at the class. I heard about the class b/c I did prenatal pilates there, which I also think really helped to prepare for labor and delivery.

INOVA Fairfax is probably were I will deliver. Who was your OB if you don't mind sharing that? I hope to find an OB who will be happy to let me labor w/o tons of interventions if I chose not to have them. Did you find L&D flexible in trying different positions?

Anonymous wrote:Here's what I did. I picked Inova Fairfax for the NICU and proximity to home & work. I really wanted to avoid a c-section but I wanted an epidural. I did plenty of research on this and knew the risks/pros/cons of this approach. I started with the 1 day combo class at Inova Fairfax of childbirth, breastfeeding and baby care. It was quick and not a lot of info, but I knew that going in. The BF and baby care was just the right amount for us. The childbirth portion was a waste of time - not enough info at all. Again, I knew this might be the case going in.

We then did the Mind the Mat childbirth class which was 2 days, 8 hours total. This was perfect for us and really helped so much in labor with positioning and breathing and taught my DH to be an awesome labor partner and advocate for me. The labor and delivery nurses and my OB praised him so much. I had really contemplated the whole unmedicated with a doula thing but I figured I would want an epidural. I also considered Hypnobabies and Bradley, but again, wanted that epidural. I ended up getting an epidural but before that labored for about 24 hours at home. The epidural got me from 4-10 cm in a few hours (and was HEAVEN), had a vaginal birth, 48 min of pushing, and didn't need a doula at all due to my DH's help to labor at home as long as possible and work through with breathing and the skills we learned at the class. I heard about the class b/c I did prenatal pilates there, which I also think really helped to prepare for labor and delivery.

Anonymous wrote:Here's what I did. I picked Inova Fairfax for the NICU and proximity to home & work. I really wanted to avoid a c-section but I wanted an epidural. I did plenty of research on this and knew the risks/pros/cons of this approach. I started with the 1 day combo class at Inova Fairfax of childbirth, breastfeeding and baby care. It was quick and not a lot of info, but I knew that going in. The BF and baby care was just the right amount for us. The childbirth portion was a waste of time - not enough info at all. Again, I knew this might be the case going in.

We then did the Mind the Mat childbirth class which was 2 days, 8 hours total. This was perfect for us and really helped so much in labor with positioning and breathing and taught my DH to be an awesome labor partner and advocate for me. The labor and delivery nurses and my OB praised him so much. I had really contemplated the whole unmedicated with a doula thing but I figured I would want an epidural. I also considered Hypnobabies and Bradley, but again, wanted that epidural. I ended up getting an epidural but before that labored for about 24 hours at home. The epidural got me from 4-10 cm in a few hours (and was HEAVEN), had a vaginal birth, 48 min of pushing, and didn't need a doula at all due to my DH's help to labor at home as long as possible and work through with breathing and the skills we learned at the class. I heard about the class b/c I did prenatal pilates there, which I also think really helped to prepare for labor and delivery.

This workshop is designed for first time couples. It will prepare participants for both medicated and unmedicated births. The class provides evidence based information on discomforts, signs of labor, stages of labor, comfort measures including proper breathing and relaxation. Medications are also discussed. In addition, the class covers newborn procedures, cesarean delivery and postpartum emotional and physical changes. The instructor is Carol Wyman RN, LCCE, FACCE, who is a registered nurse with over 25 years of experience teaching in the Maternal-Child field. She is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and is a Fellow of the American College of Childbirth Educators. Class will be offered each month. This is a Workshop. Sorry, no drop-ins or refunds. Studio account credit is possible if workshop enrollment is canceled at least 24 hours before the start of the first class in the series. Make ups available with instructor permission. $175 per couple

Anonymous wrote:Here's what I did. I picked Inova Fairfax for the NICU and proximity to home & work. I really wanted to avoid a c-section but I wanted an epidural. I did plenty of research on this and knew the risks/pros/cons of this approach. I started with the 1 day combo class at Inova Fairfax of childbirth, breastfeeding and baby care. It was quick and not a lot of info, but I knew that going in. The BF and baby care was just the right amount for us. The childbirth portion was a waste of time - not enough info at all. Again, I knew this might be the case going in.

We then did the Mind the Mat childbirth class which was 2 days, 8 hours total. This was perfect for us and really helped so much in labor with positioning and breathing and taught my DH to be an awesome labor partner and advocate for me. The labor and delivery nurses and my OB praised him so much. I had really contemplated the whole unmedicated with a doula thing but I figured I would want an epidural. I also considered Hypnobabies and Bradley, but again, wanted that epidural. I ended up getting an epidural but before that labored for about 24 hours at home. The epidural got me from 4-10 cm in a few hours (and was HEAVEN), had a vaginal birth, 48 min of pushing, and didn't need a doula at all due to my DH's help to labor at home as long as possible and work through with breathing and the skills we learned at the class. I heard about the class b/c I did prenatal pilates there, which I also think really helped to prepare for labor and delivery.

Anonymous wrote:What was the "big sibling" class? How long did it take? Do you stay with your child? If so, how many families were in your class? TIA!