Childbirth class #4

Our final childbirth class was last night. Next week is the hospital tour.

This time the handouts talked about caring for oneself post partum — from physical symptoms to post partum depression. Even though we’ve talked about it, I can imagine it’s going to be a shock to both of us — even if I don’t get the depression, I’m likely going to be very sleep-deprived, and who knows how all that will effect me, and how much more stuff Mark will have to do to pick up the slack as I’m recovering, while he’s also dealing with the stress of job searching.

The video covered diapering — helpful to see pictures of normal baby poop and how to wipe and how to pin and all that sort of thing (and for Mark, surprising to learn how many diapers a baby will go through in a week) — bathing, likewise helpful in the visuals — dealing with crying and sleeping — less helpful than the book my mom sent about colic — and common illnesses and when to call the pediatrician.

I think we’ll take the baby tub and tubside kneeler off the registry. Our kitchen sink is divided, so a baby tub won’t really fit, but a plastic dish tub will, or else a towel folded in the bottom, and that just seems easier.

On the way home we talked more about labor.

I’ve been feeling somewhat unsupported in my desire to go natural if possible. I don’t feel that I’m being adamant or close-minded about it, but if it’s possible, it just seems to me it would be best. And I want to do everything possible beforehand to make it more likely to be successful — any exercises I can be doing, for example, or knowing more about alternatives to medicine, such as counterpressure, birthing positions, and so on.

It seems I hear about meds every childbirth class and every midwife visit, but have received no coaching in the other stuff except the breathing patterns and silly guided relaxation. I understand everyone wants me to have the option of medicine, but sometimes it has felt like everyone expects me to have to use it, which makes me feel like no one thinks it’s possible to have an unmedicated birth the first time.

Mark clarified that he doesn’t expect me to use meds, but just wants me to feel okay about having that option, and that if I use them it doesn’t mean I’m a failure. That was nice to hear.

But I wish we had been able to find a class that did coaching designed to prepare for natural birth, instead of one that has been 90% information through handouts and videos.