This was technically our second time going to the cours de preparation, but it is the third class in the series. We missed our first class due to a misunderstanding of location.
The first class we went to made me feel comfortable and positive about what is in store for us on the big day, yet this recent class did quite the opposite! Now I am more nervous and anxious than ever before.
The purpose of this third class was to show us the different positions we could choose from to deliver. When we first toured the hospital with a sage-femme in June, I was told that I could use a birthing chair or even stand up. I want a natural birth by having the freedom of choosing a position that feels the most comfortable on the big day, whether it is standing, squatting or sitting. I do not want to be laying on my back in stirrups.
During our class, the sage-femme took one of the other mammas to be and had her demonstrate to us our options – two different positions. We are allowed to lay on our backs with our feet in the stirrups or lay on our sides. When it came my turn to lay on the bed, she positioned me in the stirrups and I got a rumbling feeling in my stomach. This was not where I wanted to be. My husband tried to be supportive and translated my questions to her.
He asked her about the birthing chair that we were told about in June. The sage-femme said that they have a chair, but they do not like to use it. They would let me use it for during the labor, but not delivery. Towards the end of labor, they will hook me up to the IV and I will be required to stay on the bed. After noticing my dissatisfaction and nervousness, she did add that I could turn over on the bed and kneel with my hands up on the headrest. I guess this would be the closest I could get to allowing gravity to be on my side.
I also got a strange sensation when she said that all women are required to have the IV and that they will be administering oxytocin after the delivery. They do this to reduce the chance of excessive blood loss. Only 20 percent of women lose the level of blood where oxytocin would be helpful, and research shows that administering oxytocin during blood loss is effective immediately. I told my doctor that he may give it to me if I start experiencing excessive blood lost, but not as a preventative. I do not want faux hormones inside my body unless absolutely necessary.
I was also informed that if the placenta does not come out within 20 minutes, they will wheel me down to the operating room to remove it. The sage-femme said that in most cases the woman does extract the placenta by the time of arriving to the operating room, which is good. But I do not like the fact that I could be separated from my baby right after birth to go down to an operating room if it is not needed.
I really had high hopes that this hospital will provide me with a natural birth, but it looks like the closer we are getting to my delivery date, the more I am finding out that it just may not happen. I wish we could have found a sage-femme that delivers at the home, but the nearest one is 50 minutes away and she only takes clients within 45 minutes.
We did not stay for the second hour of class – the relaxation segment. Since I cannot understand most of what she says in the visualization, I end up doing nothing more than laying down with my eyes clothes – which I can do enough of at home. My husband was anxious to go, so he bribed me by saying he would take me to the bakery for a gateau (cake)… how could I refuse? We said our good-byes to the sage-femme and left with me trying to remain positive.
Our last class is this Friday and I am not sure what the topic of discussion is since we had left early. I just hope it relieves me of some of this nervousness and gives me hope that giving birth there will be a positive experience.
Image Credit: Vladimir Mucibabic on Fotolia
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