We've started our Lamaze classes.
So far, I'm 75% convinced we didn't waste our money.
We've only had two classes so far, so in all fairness I should say that most of what we're covering still lies ahead of us. However, the first week was spent watching women in all the stages of labor and talking about true labor versus false labor....which I read all about months ago. Last night, we actually got to some breathing and relaxation exercises, which I was excited about. That's why I'm paying for the class, after all.
Obviously, I'm not going to know what works for me until I'm in that situation, but Mr. ABC123 and I did make up a list of "comfort items" to bring for me during labor. The teacher actually had some pretty helpful suggestions in that area. We may end up bringing much more than we need, but when it comes to staying (as) calm (as possible) during labor, I'd rather have too much than not enough.
I honestly expected to walk into the class and hear why you should be sent straight to Mommy Hades if you use an epidural (although it seems like everyone in the class plants to get one!). Someone in the family told me they thought that "women who get an epidural take the easy way out."
I think that is crap. And since this is my blog, I will explain why.
Personally, after doing my reading, I DO believe that med-free is the best situation for the baby IN MOST CASES. I plan to go as long as I can in labor with no medication. Hence Lamaze. Our bodies are designed for this. Epidurals can slow labor and make pushing more difficult because you can't feel what's going on. You're pretty much confined to the bed, limiting the positions you can use to help get the baby down.
HOWEVER. The baby is not the only party involved in labor. Mom has to be able to get through it as well, and there are so many reasons why she may feel she can't do it on her own. Maybe she was induced (a whole seperate issue, so I'm not touching that one)--all I've heard is how much more intense Pitocin makes the pain. Maybe her labor has been going very slowly, or her blood pressure is rising and her heart rate is going pretty high. In many of those cases, many moms are asked about epidurals. If I was in their place, I would be concerned for the baby's welfare if I didn't get one. And hey, I am not saying that there aren't other ways around those things, ok? I'm saying from what I've read and stories I've heard, in a traditional hospital setting, most women are going to be asked about an epidural. Some will even be TOLD, "The anesthesiologist isn't going to be back for another hour. You should go ahead and get your epidural if you don't think you can take it for another hour." (I know it, because it happened to someone I'm close to). Maybe the mom is getting really fatigued and the doctor recommends that she get one so that she has enough energy left to push at the end (again, happened to someone I know).
I can't say that none of those scenarios will happen to me, so I'm not going to go around broadcasting that I'm going med-free--because I don't know what situations I'll find myself in. I am in NO position to judge how another woman chooses to bring her child into this world, because everyone's level of anxiety, stress, and pain tolerance is different. What I'm trying to say is, while I do believe that med-free is the most beneficial way to the baby (again, in MOST cases), I believe that there are MANY women who do not choose epidurals because they're trying to take "the easy way out"--instead, they're making the choice based on their body at the moment and what they feel is the safest way for them to get the baby out. I can say that if I choose an epidural, it's not going to be because I'm tired of being in pain--it's going to be because I feel the anesthesia can either bring me the rest or the calm that I need to do a better job of delivering my baby.
I have total respect for women who go all natural. Both my mom and mother-in-law did it naturally (five times, between the two of them). But I think it's such a personal decision....and I think it is so hurtful and mean to tell a mother who chose an epidural that she took "the easy way out."
Well, there it is. The diatribe of a woman who has never been in labor or given birth. Let the stone-throwing commence.
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