Childbirth Preparation Class

Tonight was our last childbirth class. This evening we learned and discussed:

Breathing Techniques (w/massage, labor positions, and counter pressure)
Family Birth Center Details
Newborn Procedures
Postpartum
Birth Plans

Most of the evening was learning the three levels of breathing. Level one is done during the first phase of labor with slow, deep, abdominal breathing. Level two is for the active phase of labor when contractions get more intense. The breath is twice normal rate, is more shallow (chest level), and it sounds like "ha-who". Level three is for the transition phase of labor and the breath is now more in the throat and sounds like "ah-hee, ah-hee, ah-hee, ah-who". We practiced all the levels of breathing with different labor positions. Damien and I agreed we need to compile all the notes I took in class and create a "cheat sheet" for when we go into labor. We learned a lot of information over the last four weeks and are very happy we signed up for the class.