Miami Valley Hospital and Child Birth Classes

Well, we have successfully finished our Child Birth Classes. Wasn't as bad as I thought. There really wasn't as much 'participation' as I thought there would be. We did practice the breathing part - and that was a bit weird (Tim couldn't coach without laughing - which made me start laughing). I seriously don't think I will be 'panting' during the labor. Whenever I have pain, or anything where I start stressing - I take deep calming breaths. 'Panting' makes me have panic attacks - so that will probably be out. We didn't practice the different 'positions' just pretty much talked about them, which was fine I guess. I think my body will tell me the best way to be - as it usually does for any other pains I tend to have. Not to mention - I am all about an epidural when the pain gets too much.

However, I do have to take a moment and give Hubby the gold star for the weekend. He really did pay attention, and learn a lot. Now - whether he remembers it when the time comes, that is a different story. On Sunday (we took the weekend class) they had a review first thing - and even though he didn't answer in front of the class - he would answer to me, and he was spot on for most of it. Then, in the afternoon, we had a 'Labor Rehearsal' where there were 12 different cards with different parts of labor and delivery on them, and it asked you questions like....where would you be right now, what should you do, what is happening, etc. Again, Tim was pretty much on target for it. It made me feel better knowing that he really did pay attention during the class. Lord knows I probably won't remember most of it when the contractions start!

Not only did we have the class, but we learned a lot about the hospital, their processes, and the different rooms. We took a tour to see the different rooms, and talk about what goes on, what you can do, etc. I think we definitely made a good choice to stick with Miami Valley. I probably wouldn't have picked somewhere else - since my Dr. only delivers at MVH, but I feel that this is the best in the area - with the NICU, PICU, and nursing staff - overall I was impressed.

Something I am extremely happy about is the way they handle delivery, and the important first few hours after. Miami Vally has done some studies - along with other hospitals- and found that treating the new mothers, babies, and dads as a whole, and not just patients makes things work much better. Also, they try to do everything there in the delivery room and not separate mom and baby more than needed. The told us that the first 2 hours after delivery is very important for regulating babies body temperature, breastfeeding, starting the 'healing process' with mom, and just general bonding time for the new family. They said that a majority of that first two hours are done 'skin to skin' which means the baby is pretty much in a diaper and hat - on mom's chest, and they are both covered in blankets. The nurse said that Mom's body adjusts to whatever temperature the baby needs to regulate its temperature. Plus, the baby will smell the milk, and help latch on better when you start to breastfeed.

The only downside I see in the whole delivery process at MVH is for our family. With the important time right after delivery, this means it will be about 2 hours after delivery before our family will be able to see us. The nurse did kind of explain it in a good way. The mom and dad just got running a marathon (labor) and they aren't able to enjoy there prize (baby) with it being passed around the room. If the family were to come into the room right after delivery - once they take their pictures, take turns holding, and fawn over the baby - he will be tired, fussy, and it would be harder to feed. Breastfeeding is very important to us, so we want to do everything we can to try to make the whole thing easier. I hope our family will understand, and give us that needed time together, and then they can visit once we are settled in the 'after' room. Not to mention that I will pretty much be naked anyway - so that would not be a good time to have extended family in the room.

We decided that my mom, and Tim's mom are going to be in the delivery room for the birth. My mom - because she is my mom, and Tim's mom because she has been there for him through the whole thing. They have always had a close relationship, and she was the only one he could really talk to when we were doing all the fertility treatments. I could tell that Tim wanted his mom there - but didn't want me to be uncomfortable so I thought it would be good to have her there as support for Tim.. Not to mention - both of them are nurses, so they know medical stuff, and would 'blend into the background' if things get a bit out of hand, or to just let Tim and I do what we need to do to get through everything. My cousin will be there also - she is like a little sister to me and Tim - and she is on camera detail. However, once the baby is born, my mom and Tim's mom will #1 want to take a break and #2 want to celebrate with the rest of the family in the waiting room or on the phones. Tim's mom always has her camera, so she will be able to share some pictures with the waiting room until we are settled and ready to have guests come visit.

So, that was a very full weekend, and Monday came WAY too soon. Now we are working on Christmas lists, Thanksgiving, and our Caring for your New Born class in December. It is now 9:45 pm, and I am pooped. Gotta get up early in the morning and get Tim off to his 5K run, and go get my Thanksgiving Day ads to prepare for our shopping trip on Friday.