Birthing Class #4

Not much to say about the last birthing class. I was all about breast feeding, and we watched an incredibly awkward video on the 14 steps to successful breast feeding. I never wanted to see a close up slow motion real life shot of a baby latching. No one's boobs should be shown from that close up on a large projection screen. Weird.

At the end of the class our nurse had an activity to help you work on your birth plan. She gave you 32 statements that are common to birth plans. Then asked you to pick the 16 most important. Then asked you to pick the 8 most important. Then 4. She said that people who come in with long detailed birth plans are less likely to get everything they want. The nurses can not possibly remember and follow a 3 page list. But 4-8 statements are totally doable. It was also really good to talk it through with Andrew. Apparently her has opinions on all this. Who knew?
Our top 8:
~I want to be told about every procedure, given a chance to ask questions and participate in decision making
~Being able to rock, walk, and move about in labor, and not be confined to the bed
~To have the continuous physical, emotional, and caring presence of my chosen partner/coach
~Establishing breastfeeding within the first hour of life
~We see the nursing staff as part of our team and we'd like them to offer ideas and suggestions
~Using the shower, bath, or jacuzzi for comfort
~We have chosen certain family/friends we'd like to share our birth with
~We want to hold the baby as soon as possible.

It was good to do this as the last thing in the class because so many of the statements are already common practice within the hospital and are unnecessary to include in the plan.