Not your Ma's Lamaze

We have begun our classes at the hospital that teach us all about the childbirth process and much more. Last night was our first night, and we are one of about ten or twelve couples in the class. We have signed up for a once per week 6-week series that covers a very broad range of topics. The hospital brochure lists them as:

6 week series covers: integrated information on pregnancy, preparation for and coping with labor, birth, hospital practices, induction/augmentation, medications, epidurals, cesarean birth, baby care, breastfeeding and postpartum. Our hands-on approach to teaching Lamaze techniques will enhance your learning experience as you practice relaxation and massage skills during each class. The class includes a hospital tour, books and written materials.

Our instructor made a point to inform us that Lamaze is no longer about learning a particular breathing technique like was taught a few decades ago. Their experience found that couples (especially the mommies of course) got too stressed out about doing it right or wrong and made the delivery more complicated and difficult than it already was. Now, they allow a more personalized approach and encourage couples to find their own distractions, routines and relaxation techniques. The main point is to eliminate fear by educating, that will eliminate tension that makes the birth more painful and difficult.

It seems like it will be a fun class because the teacher and a few other couples seem to crack a lot of jokes and take it all lightly. I know we'll learn some things that will help us when the time comes. Tiffany is very interested in some of the pain coping techniques (obviously), and I'm interested to tour the hospital and learn the hospital practices so that I know what to expect and where I need to be and what I need to do!

We got treated right off the bat to the video of actual childbirths! No matter how much you know about it or have seen them before, that is still an awkward event sitting in a room with a bunch of pregnant women! Seriously, how many videos do we watch of other medical procedures before we have them done? I wouldn't watch a dentist do a root canal before going in for one, and there's no comparison. Just a random thought I had, but it was still educational to see it happen so I guess it's a good thing.

That's the latest...

Brad