Antenatal Class #5

The last and final class.  This class was focused on how a baby would behave and how to take care of the postpartum mother.  The key highlights:

• The instructor is a big advocate of dividing and conquering.  The mom’s only responsibility is to breastfeed, sleep and eat (the latter to produce more milk) and dad takes care of everything else including but not limited to burping, changing diapers, soothing, putting baby back to sleep, and everything else under the sun.  somehow I feel sorry for the dad because dad usually will have to go back to work after the first week.
• don’t take the baby out for a car ride at 3am — this is somewhat logical since being a sleepy/tired driver is never a good idea
• there would be plenty of bleeding after delivery but if there is any stitching down there, it’s better to use maternity pads that is breatheable (ie. no plastic backing).  I’m not sure if this exist and it doesn’t sound very leak proof to me. 
• If there was any stitching or general discomfort, take the thicker maternity pads and freeze them with some sprinkles of water — it’s makes a good ice pad.
• It’s ok to bathe a baby from day one.  No need to worry about umbilical stumps.

I can’t exactly remember the rest of the class since it was just ok.  Overall, I think we’ve learnt a few things but most of the information was reaffirming things we already knew.  It was more of a good chance to ask questions we always had — but the answers we get are sometimes a bit strange or answered in a manner we plainly disagree (not like we know any better but 26C temperature seems to hot for a baby).

Anyhow, what made the session truely worthwhile for us was the maternity ward tour at the end of the session.  There was only 2 couples on the tour and we basically got a personal tour of the delivery room (good to know that there isn’t a  standing shower), NICU (where we saw a tiny tiny baby), maternity ward double room renovated, maternity ward fancy single suite renovated, and maternity ward single room – not yet renovated.  

It was helpful for us to narrow down the type of room we wanted since we knew our dealbreaker: if DH can stay with me or not for the days while we are in the hopital.  Only single rooms allow lodgers.  For us,  it feels so important to have the opportunity to bond with and marvel at our little one and I just can’t imagine not doing this together as our new expanded family.  Typical hospital stay here is 2 days for vaginal delivery and 3 days for c-sections.

Now we just need to get our act together and pre-register so we don’t be bogged down by paperwork on labor day.  Counting down the days (less than 60) and wondering when we need to pack our hospital bags.

Antenatal class #3 and #4

Antenatal Class #3: Breastfeeding

The lactation consultant for the hospital conducted the class.  Overall, it wasn’t the most useful class since a lot of the questions were answered by “we’ll show you once you’ve delivered” or “we’ll take care of it”.  I don’t think it eases the stress of trying to breastfeed and hearing how hard it can be.

I did have a few take-aways though:

• The baby’s stomach is the size of a marble when born – so not much is needed per feeding but a lot of feeding is necessary (upto 8x in 24 hours)
• Colostrum can be collected ahead of delivery — being careful not to cause contractions while extracting.  Apparently this is recommended in Australia.  Usually it’s only a few drops.
• Babies should have full cheeks and no dimples when breastfeeding.  Dimples = sore nipples.
• Recommended pump is Medela pumps. She also recommended Ameda (check)
• 2 weeks after delivery is a good time to start pumping – both to stock up and also to keep up supply

I think the rest was stuff I could read from books.  The best moment of the class was having a close-up video when they showed the difference between a proper latch and a nipple latch.  It was great to have milk squirting at us.

Antenatal class #4: Labor day

Definitely a lot more useful.  Signs of impending labor are lightening (baby positioning downwards) and thinning of the cervix.  The one thing most books failed to mentioned is the color of the water.  Although the water only breaks 10% of the time, if the color is a light golden or pink color, there is no need to rush to the hospital as long as you’re there within the hour.  However, if the color of the water is dark yellow or green or have green chunks (meconium), you need to go to the hospital immediately as the baby could be distressed.

Other good tips – if the water breaks and you feel pulsing in your parts, there is a chance the cord has prolapsed (ie. cord coming out first).  You’ll need to either go on all fours with your buttock tilted high and head down or lay on your back with 4 pillows under you.  You’ll need to be transported to the hospital by an ambulance and can only deliver through c-section.

Also, the water bag not breaking could be a good thing.  It doesn’t happen very often but the easiest delivery is if the water bag comes out whole with the baby inside!  It doesn’t cause the baby any stress and because it’s not oddly shaped, the delivery is very smooth.  Of course, this has only happened once in the lecturer’s 30 years experience as a nurse.

Finally, if one must have a c-section, then its best to have a partial anesthesia so your partner can be in the room with you.  Also, your DH has the option to cut the cord, as long as the dr is aware from the beginning of the surgery and he’s given sterile surgical gloves.  Your DH has to make sure he doesn’t panic with you lying opened up and then drop the scissors into your uterus.  I’m more worried that we could have a “daddy is down” situation.

Antenatal class #2

This class was about different pain management techniques.  About half the class was going for epidural – which surprised the lecturer since she claimed that only 30% of patients use epidural.  I think her number is a tad bit low.

For sure, she was anti-epidural.  She showed us the epidural needle, how it goes in and everything in its gory details.

Anyhow, we also went through some breathing techniques and received a nice massage with tennis balls on the back from DH. 

Looking forward to next class: breastfeeding techniques

Antenatal class #1

DH and I went to our first of five antenatal classes last night. 

It was one of the standard classes held at one of the private hospitals here.   Considering how many pregnancy and childcare books we have read so far (book review another day), we found the class quite educational.

First off, the instructor was quite entertaining and she wasn’t shy using specific words and pointing/grabbing/rubbing/whatever-else with her different body parts to demonstrate. 

Second, we learned some prenatal exercises that we can start practicing from here on out.  I’m glad that we are actually attending the Dec and not Jan session suggested by the hospital – this means that we are able to get 4 more weeks of exercise in.  I seriously can’t imagine trying to do the exercises at 37 weeks (one of the ladies in the class is at 37 weeks) — since delivery could be any day.  There was a series of exercises to tone the labour muscles and for the life of me, I can’t squat with my feet flat on the floor without tipping over. I blame it on the shift in center of gravity (yeah right).  I guess I’ll be working hard on these exercises in the hopes that I can reduce down the number of hours in labor.

Third, it was quite interesting to hear what we can do to induce labour if due date rolls around and it’s time to send the eviction notice.  Apparently, the placenta has an expiration date – of around 40 weeks.  After that, the placenta starts to deteriorate and isn’t effective in providing nourishment to the baby – hence the need to induce the baby.  Well, her tips to avoid induction were (1) sex; (2) walk a lot; (3) rubbing the nipples.  Yep – sex!  Can you imagine trying to bump around at 40 weeks!   Apparently, one of the pills they stick up there to induce labor is this testosterone pill at S$100 (US$75) a pop and possibly upto 4 pills.  Semen has the same male hormones.  Good to know.

Last, buying expensive belly cream may not help on the stretch mark department (consistent with the books).  Just ask your mother.  Guess who I’ll be calling soon?  Otherwise, if you still feel the need to moisturize, cheaper oil by the oz like olive oil, vegetable oil, etc. might work just as well (ie. not work if you’re pre-disposed)

I’m looking forward to the next session — daddy in labor — where you get to train your husband to be your slave for labor day.