Childbirthing Classes: 3

7/14

This class covered an issue that I had been thinking about for a while now - Cesarean birth. We learned about the medical reasons for one, which include breached position, the baby's head being too large to fit through the pelvis and placental previa (when the placenta would be delivered before the baby). The reasons for inducing labor were also discussed - mainly gestational diabetes, high blood-pressure and fetal distress (mainly caused by the baby being overdue). Even though the subject matter was fairly serious, there was plenty of laughing and light-hearted discussion. Matt and I and another couple/friends of ours, Greg and Sandra kept being jokers.
At the end, we got on the floor again and reviewed our patterned breathing to get through the peak of the contraction. This time, the patterns were changed and our partners gave us signals as to what the pattern would be. This will mainly help in keeping focused on our breathing rather than the pain. After the breathing, we all laid down and did a guided relaxation. Aside from the cheesy music that played before and after the actual relaxation portion, it was very soothing.