Childbirth Classes Things You Didnt Learn in Class but Wished You Did

I second Ellen P's #4. It was probably the single most valuable piece of information I did not receive before the birth of my first child. It's a bit of an awkward discussion point but oh so helpful. :)

1) Remember Gravity is your friend - when you can't walk anymore, rock.

2) Do your best to use visualizations that involve hills and valleys, like, being on a roller coaster or roller skating up or down a hill, skiing, etc...If you are great at visualizing (and rocking in a chair), this could get you far, fast.

3) If you can Forgo the meds, great! If you can't, you are no less of a mom.

4) And last... I wish I really learned, sooner, how to push the right way! A Delivery Room Nurse, whispered in my ear, with my second child, "Use the muscles that you would use for a bowel movement.... HUH???? Sounds sick, but very effective! 3 pushes later and I was done!

I was able to breastfeed, but I wished I knew more about the logistics. You will start leaking milk, most likely before you even go home from the hospital. Get used to everyone seeing you breastfeed. Buy good nursing pads, even if you bottle feed.

You don't have to feel guilty if your baby stays in the hospital nursery at night. You need your sleep, especially after just delivering. The bond will form with your baby. The chance for sleep may not come again for awhile.

If you are going to try breastfeeding:

1) If you have a small foot-stool, bring it to the hospital with you. If you don't have one, knock and empty garbage can over in the hospital room and use it as your foot-stool.

2) Call for a lactation consultant as many times as you want. Don't be shy about asking them to come for each feeding if you need the help. This is what they are there for.

My advice for moms to be would be:

1.There are no medals given out for going "naturally". I've had three kids, and EVERY time I waited to get an epidural to see if I could handle the pain. Why - I don't know. For some reason "going naturally" seemed like some sort of challenge (that I thought I could do with each subsequent child - like it would be "easier").

2. To have a birth plan, be prepared to chuck it. It's more important to know all your options.

3. Know your pain med options. And GET YOUR BLOOD WORK DONE upon admission (so you don't have to wait for it to be done later). Know if the anesthesiologist is in the hospital and/or how long it will take for him/her to get there. Then don't wait to get an epidural.

4. Trust your instincts - if you think something is wrong, too painful, etc. ASK immediately. Your are not being stupid or putting someone out. You will not forgive yourself later if something goes wrong.

5. Have help lined up afterwards. Yes, you can do most everything. Should you, no. It will just take longer for you to heal and get back to your old self. Freeze some meals now.

6. For feedings - either sign up for a breastfeeding class now and/or sign up online with every formula group you can so you get coupons now. (Same goes for diapers.) Educate yourself on the benefits of breastfeeding.

7. Learn about the coupon swapping groups out there on yahoo and such. They are an easy, free way to save TONS of money on diapers, formula and other baby coupons.

hope this helps!

I love the response from AM. She is right about everything. Also, bring your boppy pillow to the hospital!
The thing that was most important/valuable to me in the hospital was a blank journal. I actually give them as gifts now for new moms. I was able to write down everything. What time baby ate, which side, for how long. Questions for the doctor and nurse. What medicine I was given and at what time. Who came to visit. Everything I needed to know and remember I wrote in the journal. Plus it's kind of cool to look back at the journal now and see the things I wrote down.

1. Don't carry too much stuff to the hospital. You're not going to use it. Your toothbrush, a change of clothes is all you need. Use all their stuff.
2. Be prepared for the uterus contraction pains while the baby is nursing (if that's the route you are going)
3. Don't hesitate to call the nurses for anything - that's what they are there for! To help you and the baby - and they are GREAT!!!
4. If you don't want to give your baby a bottle - make sure you tell the nurses in advance - NO BOTTLES OR PACIS!!! Let the baby get used to nursing and then you can give the other stuff a try!
5. Write down every question you can think of! Before you go to the hospital and while you are there - so that when the nurse/doctor/pediatrician comes to your room, you have it all there and can get it answered! I could never remember anything when they were there :)
6. If your husband snores, tell him to go home and get some rest at night! That way you can sleep too ;) You need more rest at that time.
7. If you deliver naturally, and esp. if you have an episiotomy - ask for those plastic inflatable donuts to sit on and to take home with you! I was never without it for a few weeks after delivery.
8. If you didn't get a laxative before delivery, ask for one or at least a stool softener after! You don't want to find out what happens without it.

Sorry if all this is TMI !!

Good luck!!

I wish someone would have told me my breasts would get as hard as rocks when your milk comes in. I honestly thought something was wrong! Don't get to caught up in plans and determined that your labor will go a certain way. Believe me your baby and body will change those plans. My epidural didn't work for my first and I had decided not to use one the second time, but the pain was so bad I agreed to try one. It was the best decision ever! I had immediate pain relief and didn't have any pain until I was fully dilated an actually it just felt like pressure. Good Luck!

My advice - stay in the hospital as long as you can unless you have a full staff waiting for you at home - most don't! I was in such a hurry to get home and regretted it after. I wished I would have stayed longer in a place that would wait on me hand and foot and take the baby whenever I needed rest!

Also - be ready for a lot of people to see you naked, or close to it! I also was not prepared for how painful it would be to walk right after childbirth, or how it would take 2 nurses holding me for me to go to the bathroom for the first time! Definitely no room to be shy.

Best wishes - what a wonderful time having a baby is!

One that WAS covered & I thanked God they did was to bring a ROLLING PIN! They help better than anything else for back labor. They're also great if your hubby isn't paying attention. Just kidding!

Good luck!
D.

Bring a boppy to the hospital!