Childbirth preparation class..check!

Daddy Jarbs and I just completed a 6-hr childbirth preparation class. Originally, we signed up for a course recommended to us by our doctor. After doing some research, I read not so good reviews about it so I looked around for other good childbirth preparation classes. I tried to stay away from classes offered by hospitals. I read that those classes are geared towards making sure that you will be a good patient  and making things easier for the hospital. After reading different message boards and asking around, I finally came across the class offered by Susan Messina who is a Birth Works instructor. Susan's classes had rave reviews from previous couples who took her class.  She offers an 8-week class and a weekend intensive class. All her classes until October were already full but I took my chance and emailed her.  I asked her if we can be put on the wait list in case somebody backs out. Well, she emailed me last week to say that because of the demand, she will offer a 3-hr/2 session class this week. I immediately emailed her back and told her we are available!

The sessions took place at Susan's home at Palisades in Northwest, DC. There were only 3 couples so the sessions were very personal, hands-on and interactive. A lot of things were covered during the 2 sessions. We learned about the different positions we can do to help Baby Jarbs turn into an optimal position and ready for birth. We also practiced some positions that we can do to relieve pain during labor. Susan also went through the hospital procedures so we'll know what to expect when we arrive in the hospital.  The sessions were  very helpful and informative. Basically, the class was centered around the Birth Works philosophy:

"Birth Works is a process...not a method. We believe that each woman will labor and birth in her own way. There is no one right way to give birth.  Our childbirth classes honor each woman's wholeness and individuality and encourage integration of the mind, body, and spirit through the practice of human values.

Birth Works is intuitive... in our childbirth classes, we encourage women to listen to their bodies by following their instincts, moving and eating as needed, breathing slowly and deeply to promote relaxation and facilitate labor, and choosing labor positions that keep the birth passageway open."

Daddy Jarbs and I liked the class. We thought being 28 weeks along was too early to take childbirth classes. We were worried that we may forget what we'll learn since we still have about 12 weeks to go before my due date. However, after finishing the class, I am glad that we took it early. It gives us enough time to really think about the type of birth process that we want and more importantly, prepare ourselves both mentally and physically for labor and delivery. I know we can never be 100% ready for Baby Jarbs' arrival and we can never plan ahead how my labor and deliver would go. I am such a planner so I can never go through L&D without having any knowledge of what to expect. Having gone through the childbirth class, Daddy Jarbs and I feel more prepared, knowledgeable and confident with the decisions that we'll make to have a safe labor and delivery.