Childbirthing Classes: 5 and 6

These were the last two Prepared Childbirth classes that we took. They really rounded out the course. During the fifth one, we talked firstly about postpartum and what we should need and do. The physical aspects were covered - mainly discomfort, fatigue and pain for the new mother- and also the emotional ones - including depression and ocd (which I didn't know could be a postpartum problem). I'm worried about both postpartum factors equally, but am relying on preparation, prayer and people. During the second half of this class, we took a tour of the hospital (or at least the pertinent portions). Level four of the Memorial Campus is Labor and Delivery and we got to see where family and friends can wait, the normal birthing rooms, the garden tub birthing rooms and the Cesarean birth rooms. I really liked how comfortable everything was made - soft colors and adjustable lighting, gliders in every room, nice bathrooms and most of the supplies and medical equipment was hidden behind cabinets. Level five is for after labor recovery. The recovery rooms were just as pleasant and lots of measures for privacy are in place. The mothers, fathers and babies usually aren't separated during or after the birth and all go together from the fourth floor to the fifth. Also, during recovery, lactation specialists meet with the mother to make sure breastfeeding can start while they're in the hospital. I really like Mission's approach to birthing - they try to make it less like a medical procedure and more like a life experience.
The last class summarized what we had learned about going into labor, practicing positions during labor and what will go on afterwards. We also talked about childcare basics and touched on issues like discipline and nurturing. Our teacher really emphasized that we should focus on our new baby and a happy family during the difficult portions of labor. Also, she reminded us that parenting is a joy, even though there will be a lot of tired and frustrating moments.