Childbirth Class at Andaluz

Last Saturday, Michael and I attended a four-hour childbirth class at the Portland Andaluz location.  I feel very lucky that we were able to make the class, because if we had missed it, I don't think we would have been able to attend another one there before our baby makes his arrival in April.

I think it was last Tuesday or Wednesday I had the thought that I should check their class calendar and get us signed up (SO many things I feel like I need to do now with only about three months left before Baby), and when I looked I was excited to see that they had a six-week class beginning on January 19th from 7-9 in the evening.  The cost was only about $65 for both mom and partner.  It sounded very reasonable.  The only problem was that Michael has been really busy at work lately with a very big project and he said he didn't think he could guarantee that he would be able to attend the class with me each Thursday evening--most of the time he never knows just when he will be able to leave work.  It's not the first time that our particular line of work has interfered with things we would like to do, but that's the way it is for now.  There was always the option of the Saturday class, and luckily, there was still space for us.  Phew. 

We were one of five other couples in attendance when the class began, but were later joined by two more couples, so it was a good turnout, really.  The class was held in an upstairs room at Andaluz decorated with plush couches and beautiful paintings of women with babies and children. 

The instructor, Dana, is one of the midwives there.  She began by lighting a candle for the unborn babies in attendance, saying that it is something she always does, as they are able to hear her voice and may very well be able to sense what is going on.  I thought it was a very sweet and respectful thing to do. 

We talked about the anatomy of birth (just what has to happen where for the baby to make his / her appearance vaginally), and I learned a few interesting facts.  One is that the space the baby's head goes through in the pelvis is pretty much the same no matter how big one's hips might be.  Two is that every minute, one gallon of blood is pumped by my body to the baby's placenta.  Dang!  No wonder I am so tired all the time.  :) 

Much time was spent on trying out labor positions.  I tried draping myself over a birth ball (not my favorite although I did like sitting on it), sitting on a type of metal stool that was half-moon shaped (really comfortable even though it didn't look like it would be), and climbing into one of the lovely, huge tubs with the tallest and widest sides I have ever seen.  Michael climbed in behind me as instructed (both of us fully clothed), and there was still plenty of room between us and the sides of the tub.  I knew I would love, love, love to relax in that tub while in labor. 

We learned a Lamaze breathing exercise (which I didn't really take to, but at least have tried), and did a guided relaxation / visualization exercise that was very soothing.  Moms and birth partners both participated in a labor exercise involving holding bags of ice for one minute "contractions."  I think it was designed to show you if you would rather have someone talking to you to distract you while experiencing something uncomfortable or painful, if you would rather be left alone and to your own devices, or whether you would rather be moving around.  Michael and I both chose the latter as our favorite, although the being left alone option was also appealing.  Dana said we will likely shift through all three when dealing with the sensations of labor.  I was glad to know there are so many things I can try . . . I'm sure I'll find something that will feel just right when I am in labor.

We ended the class by watching a Russian waterbirth video which was both beautiful and interesting.  There is a place in Russia where people go to give birth to their children in the ocean.  I'm not sure it would be what I would choose, but it was neat to see families welcoming their babies smack dab in the middle of Mother Nature.  I joked with Michael that even if we wanted to, that would not work here as the Pacific is much too freezing cold to allow for anything like that.  :)

All in all, it was a lovely class and I am very glad we were able to attend.  Being at Andaluz reminded me again of just how much I like it there--how safe and supported I feel, how much it resonates with me and with how I feel about birth as it pertains to me.