Childbirth Preparation Class #2

Tonight we attended our 2nd class for Childbirth preparation. In class we reviewed the first stage of labor and the process of dilation and effacement. Ummmm 10cm is really big especially when it's your body having to do the stretching! Ouchhhhhhiiieeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

We also watched a real birth video, John was a little nervous of how'd he handle it and suprisingly he did very well. I have to say that the freakiest part of the whole video was seeing how much the body has to stretch to get that little baby out. Okay and the delivery of the placenta was pretty gross too! I think we'll do just fine though.

I'm debating right now as to whether I want an epidural. Going into class I had the attitude that I'd get an epidural the minute I was allowed to. After obtaining some information from class, I'm starting to think that I may try to go as long as I can, all the way if possible, without an epidural. I still have a few weeks to decide what I'd like to do but then again that all could change when I'm in the moment. It's funny because people really have their opinions and comments about whether I should or shouldn't get an epidural, as if I asked them! I'm not putting a lot of pressure on this and am just assuming that in the moment I will know what's right for me!

Finally, we got to practice a few relaxation techniques that hopefully we are able to use during labor. HOPEFULLY! It would be great if we were able to integrate these techniques into our experience.