I'm SO SO SO glad we got on this class. It was fab, so informative for both DH & myself. It's helped me feel better about the whole labour & birth process, but I think it;s made DH more nervous. He's scared about seeing me in pain, bless him!

So question of the night.... the midwife asked "has anyone heard of episiotimy?"

DH.... "yes!" Very enthusiastic!!

M/w: "Care to explain it to the group?"

DH: "aye, it's a dinosaur"....

He's a character!! lol!! But yes, the class was great, she mainly talked about the stages of labour, dilation of cervix, pain relief and delivery. I feel more confident and comfortable about it all now. DH asked if I was getting an epi, I said well I feel more put off it than I was before altho I'm not saying I wouldn't take it if I couldn't cope. He said "Why would you NOT take it if it takes away all the pain?".

But the m/w explained the pros and cons, i.e. it can slow your labour, you may not feel the urges to push when the time comes, you can't walk, therefore confined to bed, it takes 4 hours to wear off but she said they don't allow you to get out of bed til the day after, there's the risk of spinal headache after, etc. Which DH realised ahhh ok I gotcha now. As I say, I'm not against it but I'd love to go without if I can. I'm desperate for a waterbirth though, and she confirmed there are plenty birthing balls so I don't need to take mine in. However, she said it's not suitable for use by all labouring women altho she didn't explain why and we ran out of time.

[Mars]

Sounds like a great class!!!! Your DH is too cute! LOL!!!

I had mine on Monday and it was great too. We were to have 4 couples but we only ended up with two and both of us are using the Birthing Center so it was great. We covered a lot of the same things but with more emphasis on ways to cope with natural birth and techniques the midwives found that worked. We also learned some stretching techniques and exercises to help widen the pelvis, etc.

Sorry if it's too much info - are you doing any perineal massage at all? The m/w tonight said it's a fab thing to do. I'd like to try it, if it helps then yey! She said to use olive oil as a massage oil... but what if it goes in *there* which it def will do via massage... do you think that makes us open to infection?!

[greeneyes]

Sorry if it's too much info - are you doing any perineal massage at all? The m/w tonight said it's a fab thing to do. I'd like to try it, if it helps then yey! She said to use olive oil as a massage oil... but what if it goes in *there* which it def will do via massage... do you think that makes us open to infection?![/b]

Yes, the olive oil is going to enter your vagina as a result of the perineal massage. Keep in mind that your mucus plug is an excellent barrier for infection and it does its job well. Be sure to wash your hands first and you should be just fine.

Oh, also! Here is a GREAT perineal massage handout that talks in depth about how to do it and why, and also includes an illustration: http://www.midwife.org/siteFiles/new...hwomen50_1.pdf

[Mars]

I'm not sure. I've been contemplating doing it but haven't quite decided on it yet. It's supposed to be great from all I've heard.

I don't think that it should cause an infection since the mucus plug still has things sealed off.

Kate thanks so much for the link!!!

Have either of you been doing your pelvic floor exercises regularly as well? I keep forgetting but have done a "set" of them before bed each night, so I've done them almost daily for a few weeks. A girl at my work today said "DO THEM!!!", her wee boy is 2 and half and she still leaks at times when she coughs or sneezes. That was enough to spur me into trying much harder to remember to do a few sets per day!!

[Frozendesire]

I'm so glad it was such a good experience for you! It makes you feel powerful and more able to do things when you have information behind ya!

I too would like to go with no epi, but geeze if I have to.. I will! haha. You never know what happens right?

I'm not doing any messages but I think it would be a great idea!

[Mars]

I have a set of them to do with the exercises and stretches given at the birthing classes so I started doing them from Tuesday. Well, Monday if we count being taught how to do them in class.

[Resi]

I tried to do the perineal massage thing once while pregnant. I could barley reach down there because of my belly. That was the end of that! lol..

[greeneyes]

I tried to do the perineal massage thing once while pregnant. I could barley reach down there because of my belly. That was the end of that! lol..[/b]

Yeah, it can get difficult towards the end! I get Lee to help me.

[soImarriedAnerd]

I do plan on doing massages, I would stay away from massage oil downthere-many have sents/warming and other stuff that could give your a yeast infection, stick will the olive oil or vitamin E (this will also help with healing if you do tear!) or just make sure its Personal massage ok'd (like ky jelly)
I do my kegals every time I peed I make a game out of how many times I can start and stop my urine. Its getting harder to do though!

[Frozendesire]

So like personal lubricant would work? But you don't recommend the heating stuff, what about the personal lube that heats on contact?

I'm thinking I should maybe do this as well, well get James too.. There is no way I can reach down there comfortably haha.

[niknok]

One of my midwives recommended something called Arnica Oil....I found it at a healthfood store in the vitamin and supplement section. I didn't use it for perineal massage, because my crazy self never recognized when I was in early labor. (That was my intention for it) But it did go to the hospital with me, and the midwife used it to stretch my perineum and support me while I was pushing. I only had a small first degree tear, that didnt even need a stitch, so I think it helped. Of course the 5 pound 8 oz baby didn't hurt matters either.....

I tried last night and OMG it burns to do it at first lol definately need some type of oil though. and yes, it's not easy to reach

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

LOL "aye, it's a dinosaur" bwahahahahaaaa!!!!!!!! I'm glad you liked the class!!!

[petalfuzz]

Sounds like you got some good info! Time is fast approaching, eh!?