"This is better than a hotel!!" .. yeah but a lot less relaxing..

Last night we had our second baby class. Here are some of the techniques we learned for labor...

Create a Calm Environment

Dim lights, peaceful surroundings, privacy, warmth.

Increase Physical Comfort

Walking, slow dancing with partner, pelvic rocking, positioning pillows for comfort, sitting and swaying on birth ball (a large physiotherapy ball), lifting up the abdomen, rocking in a rocking chair

Then we watched a natural birth video. The lady did it without any drugs and it was pretty interesting to see all the techniques she used. She got herself into a lot of different positions and played music, got massaged, and even had a mirror at the end to see the baby come out for encouragement that she was almost done giving birth.

One of the other mothers in the class left in the middle of the video. She said she cried in the bathroom because she was so overcome. I felt good because though it was hard to watch I wanted to see that it could be done and done without drugs.

Then we got a tour of the maternity wing.

I must say that CMC University has a really nice Maternity wing. They have 28 rooms and every other room has a tub for mothers to relax in if they haven't had their water broken. The rooms look like hotel rooms.

Family-Friendly SuitesLabor, delivery, recovery and postpartum all take place in one thoughtfully designed suite. These private, spacious suites are built around the needs of your family. The Maternity Center at CMC-University offers family-centered care, allowing mothers and babies to remain in the same room throughout their stay.
Through our newly adopted Progressive Level of Care, infants with increased needs can remain with you to receive special care instead of going to a progressive nursery or the Special Care Neonatal Nursery. This encourages immediate bonding for the entire family - mother, father, siblings and other family members.
Each suite has a TV/DVD and CD player to help you relax or pass the time, a rocking chair and a large, private bathroom. We have included a daybed for dad or a guest and an Internet connection so you can see and share those first precious moments.
Our staff provides a warm, supportive atmosphere in which you and your family can gently bond and learn to care for your new baby. While your baby may stay with you the entire time, our caring and experienced nursing staff will be close by to answer your questions and give you the support and help you need.

It really hit me when they took us in the rooms to see the facilities that I am going to come back there for birth.. Matthew was so excited about the room and for me it was like a smack in the face of reality.  He said "wow this is better than a hotel" to which I replied.. yeah but a lot less relaxing for me! I got emotional being in the rooms because I realized “I will be on that bed!”.  I don't like hospitals but I am happy that this place doesn't feel the way my dads hospital wing felt. I also like the fact that it has such high security. All baby's have a GPS on their legs and an alarm will sound if they are taken off the floor. So I guess we will see in a few months...

We also did pre-registration at the hospital via the Internet. This way when I do go into labor they have all the paper work done and out of the way. There will still be forms for me to sign but not as many now that I am pre-registered.

Next class we will learn about giving birth with help from epidurals and pain management drugs. I really hope to not use them but it will be good to learn about more options if I need them. We will also learn about C-sections and that will be a lot harder to watch on video then the birth. I just pray I don't have to have a C-Section..really pray for me on that one people! ugh!