Oct 5, 2011

Final Cours de Preparation Pour Naissance with a Sage-Femme

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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 … [Read more...]

Sep 21, 2011

Our Second/Third Cours de Préparation Pour Naissance with a Sage-Femme

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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 … [Read more...]

Sep 12, 2011

Our First Cours de Préparation Pour Naissance with a Sage-Femme

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This past Thursday was our first cours de préparation pour naissance (birth preparation course) with a sage femme (midwife). It was actually the second class out of four, but we missed the first class due to confusion of its location. We thought it would be at the hospital in the same room as the cours de préparation with the puéricultrice, but apparently, it was at a location about 3 minutes away from the hospital.We ended up having the same sage-femme as I had for my first monthly appointment at this hospital in June. She remembered me, so she spoke very clearly and slow throughout … [Read more...]

Aug 31, 2011

Our First Cours de Preparation Pour Naissance with the Puéricultrice

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Today we went to our first cours de preparation pour naissance (birth preparation course) with one of our hospital's puéricultrices (children's doctor). This is an optional class that is covered by social security and I definitely recommend you taking advantage of it! We ended up being a group of about 8 women and 2 men - nice that my husband was not the only man in there.The puéricultrice began by discussing what we should expect when arriving at the hospital on the big day. I knew most of the information already from discussions with our hospital's sage-femmes (midwives), but picked up … [Read more...]

Aug 5, 2011

Preparing for Your First French Cours de Préparation à la Naissance

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Yesterday I went to my complimentary cours de préparation à la naissance (birth preparation class). It was a one-on-one hour session with a midwife to discuss any concerns that I may have and provide her with my birth plan. This session and the remaining 6 courses are completely free - they are covered by the French Social Security. Of the remaining 6 courses, 2 of those are optional.I was not prepared for this inital cours de préparation à la naissance because I thought it was a chance for the midwife to tell me what I should expect on the day of delivery. Even though I was not … [Read more...]