Things I Learned in Lamaze Class

Information/Facts I Learned in Lamaze Class

 

   My husband and I attended a 6 hour Lamaze Class last week and man, there were so many things that I had no idea about that I thought I knew and things I have never even thought of from breastfeeding to labor, from c-sections to natural birth. The list goes on and on. I loved this class and what impressed me even more was James seemed interested asking questions and stuff.

Mmmhhmm, I have a hubby who cares. ;)

You could definitely tell our teacher Miss Marissa knew her stuff and I am confident in the material she taught us because she has been a doula and teaching these classes for almost 20 years! 

 Talk.about.trust.

There was a raffle, WHICH I ACTUALLY WON, she handed out free diaper and wipe samples, information cards, bracelets used as breastfeeding reminders and we even got to play games.

To say I liked this class was an understatement and I am grateful that both James and I got to take it.

 

Luckily, I get to go back December 1st for a SIDS class and then they are throwing a bunch of us a baby shower December 8th with more raffles and the prizes include playpens and strollers along with some smaller prizes.

 

Here's some of the swag I got:

Parents magazine and a ton of coupons

Newborn diaper and wipe samples

De wittle bitty newborn diaper compared to a car key. Dawwww

Free samples. (Aquaphor, nursing pads, breast milk storage bags, preparation h)

The window shade I won in the raffle

Obviously I'm excited, but I'll get back to the important stuff.

 

 

 

There's not JUST labor! 

There are 3 stages of labor. Early (latent) labor, Active labor, and Transitional (Advanced) labor.
• Early labor will last approximately 8-12 hours. Your cervix will efface and dilate to 3 cm. Contractions will last about 30-45 seconds, giving you 5-30 minutes of rest between contractions. Contractions are typically mild, somewhat irregular, but become progressively stronger and more frequent. So you'll want to stay home during this stage of labor as it can take a really long time and I don't know about you, but I'd rather be in the comfort of my own home for 8-12 hours before going to the hospital. My teacher urged and urged us NOT to go to the hospital during this time UNLESS something was seriously wrong (bleeding more than a pad). Things you can do during early labor is RELAX as much as you can. Take a warm bath, cook a few meals, SLEEP, just try to take it easy and stay calm. It can only benefit you and the baby.
• Active Labor-Your contractions will grow stronger and longer during active labor, a phase that usually lasts from 2-3 1/2 hours. You'll usually be in the hospital or birthing center by this phase (or if you're delivering at home, your midwife will be with you by now). As your cervix dilates to 7 centimeters, contractions will come every 3-4 minutes and will typically last 40 to 60 seconds (although they may not follow a regular pattern). You'll probably notice a distinct peak halfway through each contraction. This is usually the stage where if you're going to get an epidural, to ask for it now. 
• Transitional (Advanced) Labor- During transitional labor, the last, most intensive, and fortunately the shortest of the phases of labor (generally lasting from 15 minutes to an hour), your cervix will dilate from 7 to its final 10 centimeters. Contractions are very strong at this point — usually 60 to 90 seconds long, and with intense peaks. Because they're spaced only about 2-3 minutes apart, it may seem as though you barely get to relax before the next contraction begins. This is the most intense and physically demanding stage of labor so having support from whoever you allow in the room is FUTILE!!!

 

When to go to the hospital:

 

There are 2 signs that indicate labor is beginning: Progressing contractions and your water breaks.

 

Use the 411 Method:

•  Contractions 4 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, for at least 1 hour.
• Take a warm bath. This can be comforting and relaxing to you.
• Lie on your left side for 30 minutes and start timing contractions. If you have between 7 and 9 contractions in 30 minutes, you are in active labor. If not, the are what are called Braxton-Hicks contractions. Labor contractions may begin hours or even days later.
• If you are in labor, try to be in upright positions. Massages during contractions can also be helpful.
• When you feel more intense contractions, it's time to go to the hospital

Water Breaks:

 

Remember COAT if your water breaks, you OB will ask:

• C- Color of the liquid
• O- Odor, if any (if there is it may smell like a mild bleach)
• A- Amount that came out and how often
• T- Time that it happened

.

On average 80% of women go to the hospital when contractions start, 20% when their water breaks.

I'm so thankful that I've learned about the different stages of labor because I would have 100% gone to the hospital right when contractions started.

UH-OH

FIRST TIME (biological) MOM ALERT!!!

 Originally, I was full blown ready to have an epidural, but after the class I have COMPLETELY changed my mind.
I'm not knocking those of you who want one or have had one, please don't think that, labor is super personal and YOUR choice so if that's what you want or needed, rock on witcha bad self!

 Honestly, I've never done this before so I may go in there with all these expectations of all natural child birth and end up begging for one, who knows.

So far I am clear for a natural, med-free labor and my pregnancy has been problem free other than sciatica pain and extreme morning sickness, so I am confident that if I continue to be so blessed by having such an easy pregnancy, then I am totally going al naturale, YOU BETTA BELIEVE!!!

 

FUN FACT:

• You can be in stage 2 of labor, ask for an epidural, and it can completely numb you to the point that you can't push and have to have an emergency c-section. It's not even worth it if you are already on the brink of popping your baby out. Also, you can have damaged nerves for the rest of your life. Totally.not.worth.it.

 

 

We also learned about how to write a birth plan so you and your doctor are on the same page.

 Unfortunately, James and I were late to the 2nd half of class, but only by 15 minutes so it wasn't too bad. We went on our lunch break to check out a house in Pearland that we have put an application in for and FINGERS CROSSED, get.

 It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house with a BEAUTIFUL backyard and awesome 2 car garage.

We desperately need a bigger space for our growing family and since we have Reagan full time, he needs his own room (which he has now), but Annabelle needs her own as well or else Mommy is going to rip her hair out if I can't establish a sleep schedule between the two of them early on. :)

Anyways, back to the birth plan.
 We were late, but luckily she gave us a worksheet with the different information that I guess is on a basic birth plan.

 

Birth Plans Includes:

• Your health care provider's contact info
• Where you plan on having your baby
• Who your primary support person during labor is, their contact info
• Who else you want in the room, their contact info
• What KIND of support you want during labor (help breathing, help working through contractions, massage, moving around)
• Do you want to be able to move around during labor
• What position you want to be in during labor (lying down, sitting, standing, moving around, squatting)
• What kind of drugs you want, if any
• Who you want to cut the umbilical cord
• If you want to keep the cord blood (what?)
• If you want your baby with you at all times after birth or if it's ok to have your baby spend time in the nursery
• If you want to breastfeed
• If you're having a boy, whether you want them circumcised or not
• If you have any special traditions that will take place in the labor and delivery room
• If there are any complications with you or your baby, who you want to be told first, you or your main support person
• If there are other issues the hospital or birthing center staff should know about you or your baby's birth
• Baby's health care provider's contact info
 
 

 FUN FACTS:

• Did you know that you DO NOT have to be lying down during labor. You can squat, stand, lunge, slow dance, lay on your side with a ball in between your legs, semi-sit, lean on a birth ball, and bounce on a birth ball or all if you want. You've got tons of options to choose from and I was more than excited to hear that.
• You can request a lactation consultant after you give birth to aid in breastfeeding.
• You can also request an hour of skin to skin contact with your baby. That will help establish breast feeding.
• If you have sensitive nipples, you can "get them ready" by exposing them to sunlight for 1 minute a day or by rubbing an ice cube on them
• At your last ultrasound or one close to your due date, if your baby is breach, crawl on all fours for 10 minutes a day up until labor and gravity should take care of positioning the baby.
• The more you breastfeed, the more milk you will produce.
• The more liquids you drink, the more milk you will produce.
• The more you latch your baby and have skin to skin contact, the easier it will be to breastfeed.
• Whatever breast you STARTED the feeding with, even if you finished the feeding on the other, START WITH THE OPPOSITE BREAST YOU ORIGINALLY STARTED WITH. It doesn't matter which one you left off on!!!
• Breast milk is made up of 80% water.

 

The different positions you can be in during labor and the different massages you can have your support person do to you. (My favorite was the figure 8)

 

 



I know I learned more than this, but honestly, it was a lot all at once and this is as much a my pregnancy brain can muster up today. If I remember any other facts tips or tricks, I'll add them on.

Well, I hope you learned a thing or two because I know I sure did.

Stay tuned for my next update and I hope you ALL have an amazing night. 

Adios mi amigos, Buenos noches. 

 

This is the face of pregnancy acne. She must be cooking into a beautiful girl because she's sucking the beauty out of me. lol



Here is where I got some of my info for the stages of labor:

   Stages of Labor - American Pregnancy Association

americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/first-stage-of-labor

 

http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/labor-and-delivery/childbirth-stages/three-phases-of-labor.aspx