We attended the 4th and final cours de preparation pour naissance (birth preparation class) with a sage-femme (midwife). I left this class feeling much more relaxed than I did with the last session. This time we discussed different positions for laboring and what to expect during my 4 or 5 day stay at the hospital.
The sage-femme had us practice different positions for easing the pain of going through labor with a birthing ball and boppy. The positions were comfortable and I enjoyed one where my husband sat on the ball while I sat in front with my back to him and my arms stretched up and around his neck. The hospital keeps a birthing ball and boppy on hand for us when going through labor, which was very comforting to know. I use my exercise ball at home to relieve contraction pain, so I feel very comfortable with using this method at the hospital as well.
The duration of the stay at the hospital sounds relaxing. I already knew about most of the things she discussed from previous discussions with other sage-femmes. I will need to fill out a chart each day to show how many times my baby has been feed and went to the bathroom. We will be visited each evening by a puéricultrice (pediatrician) for a checkup and make sure everything is normal. The first checkup will be within 24 hours after she is born.
After 48 hours of our baby’s birth, my husband will be taken by a sage-femme to the nursery. He will give our baby her first bath with the guidance of the sage-femme, which I think is wonderful. I love the idea of him giving her the first bath instead of her being taken away from us (like is often done in the US).
I will be served meals in my room three times a day, but my husband can bring me food as well. He is able to join me to eat, but of course, if he eats the hospital food then he will be charged for it. I am a bit nervous about the hospital food, but I will give it a chance. There is an excellent bakery nearby that we went to after this course… I hope he brings me something from there at least once! (Hint hint, if you are reading this!).
After going through 3 of the 4 courses, I think I have a good idea of what to expect during and after giving birth at this hospital. It was definitely useful and I highly recommend you attend all four sessions if you plan on giving birth in France. The courses are completely free if you are in the public health system. Also, if you are in the public health system then it is required that you attend these sessions in order to obtain the rest of your maternity benefits.
Now that I am done with these courses, all I can do is wait for our little princess to arrive. I hope I will feel just as prepared after her birth as I do now!
Image Credit: Beelerspace on Flickr.com
chickster says
Glad you feel prepared and comfortable with the hospital!