Days 69 & 68: Classes

Day 69: Childbirth Class
This day marked the midpoint in our childbirth class. We learned all about pain medications that can be used during labor and delivery. Summed up, there's lots of different options - some to make you groggy and loopy and some to make you numb. From the videos we watched, we also learned that you can be groggy, loopy, and numb all at the same time! OK, maybe not all at once, but you can combine medicines if it becomes necessary or you feel like you need a little extra pain relief. Along the way, we discussed (and got to play with) some of the other tools and monitors that might be used during labor, including forceps, a vacuum, and a monitor that is attached just under the baby's scalp during labor (ouch!). There's something about plastic and metal that is just so impersonal and unpleasant, especially when you know where it's going and what it's going to be used for. But better to know what it looks like and what it's used for now than when you're in the middle of labor and the doctor or nurse is insisting that it is a must. To help lighten the mood, we ended the class with some relaxation techniques, which means that the dads in the room were put to work by doing some different massages that are helpful during labor. I think I speak for all the moms in the room when I say that this was the best part of the evening.

Day 68: Breastfeeding Class
This was, by far, the best class we have taken. The nurse who led the class has over 30 years of experience and clearly knows what she is talking about. Also, she's the only lactation consultant at the hospital right now, and she'll be the one we go to for help after Little Ted is born. In two hours, we got lots of good information, learned lots of things we had no idea about, and we now feel more prepared for the baby's arrival.