childbirth education class #2...

We went to our 2nd childbirth education class last night.  Everyone that was there last week came back so that was good.  We only scared off the sister-in-law that I mentioned in this post.  :)

Again, there was a lot of information covered in this class.  We talked about things to pack for our stay in the hospital, both for before & during delivery, as well as after delivery.  There were lists in the books that we got last week, but Jackie sited specific things that she thought were really helpful.  I made a special note of those.  Especially the one about the "hair tie for long hair".  :)

We also talked about different tools that we may or may not see during the process.  AND it was show-and-tell.  Yes, Jackie brought out things like an IV tube/syringe, an IUPC (internal uterine pressure catheter), a vacuum, a fetal scalp electrode...

It was not a real upbeat time in the class.  And then we went through some of the reasons for induction.

Kind of a downer -- even Jackie said that -- but still, it's a part of being informed and prepared and I'm glad to have the knowledge we learned last night.  Even if it's not all *rainbows & butterflies*.

Jackie did cover pediatricians in the area, too, and had nothing but good, positive things to say about each of them.  I think we've decided on our pediatrician -- one in the Hampstead area so it will be relatively close for us.  That, and we know other kids (and their parents) who are patients there.

epidural...

I think I mentioned in one of my posts that once we got our official due date, I'd signed up to get emails from babycenter.com and whattoexpect.com.  And I've been getting them.  Lots of them!  But then again, there's lots of information to learn before our little one gets here, huh?

So I got one yesterday from babycenter.com and in the subject line it said, "Should you get an epidural?"  Some of my girlfriends may have heard me express my feelings on this subject.  For those reading here, I will reiterate.  I feel like I HAVE A VERY LOW TOLERANCE FOR PAIN.  Therefore, I am under no illusions that I will be "trying to do this naturally".  No.  Not this girl.  I'm thinking they can just go ahead and hook me up to the pain meds as soon as I come in the door, right?

Of course, I know that's not how it works, but you get the urgency of my feelings on this subject.  So when I got this email yesterday, I was a little hesitant to read it.  I know that "knowledge is power" but in certain cases, knowledge is scary.  But, my curiosity won out -- it probably is wise to be knowledgeable on this particular subject, yes?

So I read through it.

It gave information on how an epidural works, what the advantages and disadvantages were (note to self: list of disadvantages was a lot longer than list of advantages...) and then it gave information on those who wouldn't have the option of an epidural (those with blood disorders, etc.) -- thankfully, I don't fall into any of those categories.  Epidural is a go.  If I can keep my nerve up.  :)

After the article, there was a link that said, "Watch an epidural needle being inserted".  Seriously?

I sat there for a few minutes really considering whether or not I should watch that video.  Some of my friends have heard me express my feelings on THIS subject, too.  For you guys, I will reiterate.  I.HATE.NEEDLES.  SERIOUSLY.HATE.THEM.  And I don't EVER do them voluntarily.

I really thought I didn't need to watch the video because when I get mine (yes, when, not if), it's not as if I'm going to see any of that happening back there.  However, my curiosity won out again and, against my better judgment, I watched it.

And almost passed out.

I'm not sure if it was the iodine to sterilize that they swabbed all over the girl's back (thought it was blood at first, I promise you) or the GI.GANTIC needle they put in her back to insert the catheter, but whatever it was, I didn't do so well with all of that.  I had already heard stories about how big this needle was and surprisingly, this video showed it being a little smaller than I thought it would be but STILL.  It was a HUGE needle.  And what did I say about needles before?

Anyways, I was fine, almost to the end of the video -- the thing was in and everything -- and then all of a sudden my stomach did a type of flip-flop and I started to get real hot and then to see spots/stars.  Yeah.  Had to put my head between my knees and the whole thing.  Kind of embarrassing but it is what it is.

Despite that, I'm glad I watched it.  It cleared up some questions I had.

And I think I'm still gettin' one.