Childbirth Preparation

WEEK ONE: 2 hour class

v     Introductions

v     “What do you want to get out of this class?”

v     Styles of Learning

v     Childbirth: an overview, stages of labor

v     Anatomy: Uterus, cervix, placenta, umbilical cord, amnion (bag of water), bladder fundus, perineum.

v     Kegals

v     Nutrition & Rest

v     Birth Plans

v     Doulas

v     Birth Place Options

v     Braxton Hicks Contractions

v     “False Labor” vs real labor

v     Definitions- effacement, dilation, position, presenting, station.

WEEK TWO: 2 hour class

v     Early Labor

                                    -   Timing Contractions

-   Mucus Plug

-   “bloody show”

-   Ruptured membranes – TACO

-   Cervical changes

-   Physical signs

-   Emotional signposts

-   Comfort Techniques

-   What is baby doing?

-   Go potty every hour!

v     Active Labor

-   Emotional signposts

-   Cervical changes

-   Timing contractions

-  “back labor”

-  What is baby doing?

-   Go potty every hour!

v     Pain Relief Options

-   Doulas

-   Water

-   Massage

-   Positional changes

-   Breathing

-   Analgesic (Stadol, Demerol, Morphine, Demerol, etc)

-   Anesthesia (Epidural, Spinal/Intrathecal)

WEEK THREE: 2 hour class

v     Transition

            -   Cervical changes

            -   Emotional signposts

            -   Common reactions  

            -   What is baby doing?

            -   Pain relief options

v     The “rest and be thankful” stage

v     Second Stage: Pushing

-   Self-directed vs. purple pushing

-   Positions

-   Crowning

-   Episiotomies/tears

-   Forceps/vacuum extractions

-   What is baby doing?

v     BIRTH

-   Catching the baby

                                    -   Cutting the cord

                                    -   Where does the baby go after the birth?

                                    -   APGAR scores

                                    -   Looks/behavior of a new baby

                                    -   Vernex

v     Third Stage:

-   Cord Traction

                                    -   Pitocin

                                    -   The placenta

                                    -   Cord blood banking

                                    -   Fundal massage

WEEK FOUR 2 hour class

v     Interventions

-   IV’s

-   Inductions: non-medical

            * Intercourse

            * Orgasim

            * Caster oil

            * Nipple Stimulation

            * Herbals/nutritional supplements

            * Walking/stair climbing

            * Jumping on a trampoline (Warning: this is a JOKE!)

-  Inductions: Medical

            * “Stripping membranes”

            *Cytotec/Cervidil- differences

            * Pitocin

            *AROM (Artificial Rupture of Membranes)

-   Amnioinfusion

-External fetal monitoring

-Internal fetal monitoring

v     Breastfeeding

v     Post partum

-   Postpartum depression

-   Lochia

-   Activity

v     Cesarean Surgery

                  -   When it is necessary/emergency

                  -   What Happens?

                  -   Options during cesarean

                  -   Recovery

                  -   VBAC

v     PRACTICE LABOR/DELIVERY POSITIONS

WEEK FIVE: 2 hour class

v      Music Therapy and Birthing Imagery

WEEK SIX: 2 hour class

v     Taking Care of Baby

                        -   Breastfeeding – Why, how, nipple care, etc.

                        -   Bottle feeding

                        -   Swaddling

                        -   Diapering

                        -   Bathing

                        -   Cord care

                        -   Burping

                        -   Sleeping positions

IN SOME OF THE CLASSES THERE WILL BE BIRTHING VIDEOS, WATCHING THEM IS ENCOURAGED.