We're signed up.......

.... for a weekend intensive "Childbirth Education & Lamaze" class at our hospital the weekend after my shower (3/29 & 3/30)

My concern is this. I have absolutely NO desire to do this thing naturally. I want an epidural asap. In the doorway if possible. Are the Lamaze fanatics running this course going to try to dissuade me from trying to get my blessed epidural?

Re: We're signed up.......

I am not taking any classes so I expect that you will receive much more educated replies than mine, but I think you can't get the heavenly epi until yu reach a certain point so the breathing would be necessary to get you through the painful contractions leading up to said point.

Message edited 2/15/2008 2:04:06 PM.

Re: We're signed up.......

Re: We're signed up.......

Hells no- my lamaze class is this weekend and she mentioned that they cover all pain management options.
Sweet delicious epidural here I come.

Re: We're signed up.......

Posted by Bluepixie

But my ingenious plan involves baking enough chocolate chip cookes to buy off the entire Anesthesia department and convince them that I don't NEED to wait that long.... Think it'll work???

Re: We're signed up.......

Re: We're signed up.......

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Re: We're signed up.......

We just finished our Lamaze at the hospital - its not all about doing it natural - in fact I felt like they recommended the EPI. Its more of a review of what happens during childbirth - most of which you probably have read about in What to expect.... but it was good to lear what my hospital's standard procedures were for before, during and after the birth.

They did breathing exercises - which were good to learn, b/c as the nurse said - you do have to get to the hospital before you can get the EPI - so the breathing will help while you are enroute. Also - you might have to wait for your Doc to arrive to get the EPI - he needs to be there to approve it.

Last night was the best class, b/c they went over all the medications and how they work, side effects and how they are administered. There is a drug that they can give you before the EPI if its too soon for the EPI to help with pain.

At first, I thought we wasted our time, but after last night, I was so glad we took the class.

Re: We're signed up.......

Posted by Preguntas

Posted by Bluepixie

Posted by Preguntas

Hells no- my lamaze class is this weekend and she mentioned that they cover all pain management options.
Sweet delicious epidural here I come.

I can't wait for you to deliver! Your birth story is the one I'm most looking forward to. Hurry up and bake Max Power- his fan club awaits.

If you make me cookies, I will come and give you an epi.

Re: We're signed up.......

Posted by stephanief


just wanted to point out one thing....if you wind up getting induced, you can get the epi whenever you want

I got mine when I was only a fingertip dilated

Re: We're signed up.......

One thing to consider, or ask about, is your insurance coverage. You can get an epi right away (from what I understand they'll give it to you at any point b/c it makes them $$) but if you will need additional "hits" of it throughout labor. So, you might want to find out what your insurance will pay for (it might force you to hold out a little longer, or you may not care what it costs ).

Also, we learned in class that once you get it you are bedridden. So, some women try to endure a little pain in the beginning b/c you have it in the early hours of labor you could be forced to stay in bed for MANY hours to come.

Re: We're signed up.......

Posted by JChia

Posted by stephanief


just wanted to point out one thing....if you wind up getting induced, you can get the epi whenever you want

I got mine when I was only a fingertip dilated

Last night they said this is because the drugs they use to induce (pitocin and cervidell (sp?)) make your contractions extrordinarily painful and it would be cruel not to offer you an epi while being induced.

Message edited 2/15/2008 2:41:23 PM.

Re: We're signed up.......

I had a childbirth class with a nurse from Winthrop and she encouraged the use of epidural - she admitted to having one when she was giving birth.

I mean, isn't technology great? Science has invited this injection to help ease the pain of labor and contractions - I see no reason to not to advantage of this fine piece of medical technology!