Prenatal classes? [Archive] - Okinawa Japan Forum

Courtney

03-11-2008, 10:45 AM

A good friend of mine would like me to be her "labor coach" if you can call me that...lol... I guess my expierence counts =)
She is also intrested in ANY prenatal classes. She is about 27 weeks along w/ her first!!!
Any tips on where we can find classes would be GREAT!
Thanks
(BTW- we are on Kadena)

DocTurtle

03-11-2008, 10:47 AM

I would try to call the family center and see if they have anything.
Maybe even the hospital might have something?

Trail

03-11-2008, 10:53 AM

Court, has she been to the OB clinic on Lester yet? They will provide her with all the info. There are birthing classes coming up and I recommend a breastfeeding class. I have all the numbers if you are interested.

Courtney

03-11-2008, 10:55 AM

I would LOVE the numbers! thank you!

Trail

03-11-2008, 10:56 AM

I'll PM them to you and see what I have wrote down class-wise from my last appt.

DocTurtle

03-11-2008, 10:57 AM

113 :p hehe. Could you PM me as well? My wife is 4.5 months along. Thanks in advance!! :thumbup:

socalheart

03-11-2008, 10:58 AM

Personally, the only class we benefited from was Bundles 4 Babies, but only because they give you baby stuff. If military, she needs to go through Lester Naval hospital for all her baby doings. The classes are mostly informative not instructional. You're better off with buying DVDs online about that stuff.

Trail

03-11-2008, 11:02 AM

BTW Court- kudos to you for being a birth coach. We are trying to start up a support group here on Kadena for single expecting mothers and even first timers.

Shinobi

03-11-2008, 11:14 AM

A must class for first timers is "The happiest baby on the block" they were doing this class a year ago...it should still be offered.

Good luck :w00t:

Asshat

03-11-2008, 11:17 AM

Trail

03-11-2008, 11:33 AM

This is all weird to me. I can understand wanting to be as prepared and informed as possible, but haven't we been having babies since the dawn of time?

Has the new age of educated motherhood increased the infant mortality rate? Reduced the crime rate?

I am curious to hear of the benefits of this besides just wanting to know what it's like to have a baby.

I am unsure what you are trying to get at here Umi. Please clarify.

Most birthing techniques (Lamaze, Bradley method) are founded on the concept that fear causes pain. The more informed and the more knowledgeable you are about something, the less you fear it. What is wrong with women being informed about what is going on with themselves and their baby?

RODSCALIP5

03-11-2008, 11:38 AM

DoctorP

03-11-2008, 11:39 AM

I am unsure what you are trying to get at here Umi. Please clarify.

Most birthing techniques (Lamaze, Bradley method) are founded on the concept that fear causes pain. The more informed and the more knowledgeable you are about something, the less you fear it. What is wrong with women being informed about what is going on with themselves and their baby?

Fear doesn't cause the pain...it's the ripping and tearing and that huge head coming out of a small space!:rolleyes:

Trail

03-11-2008, 11:43 AM

Fear doesn't cause the pain...it's the ripping and tearing and that huge head coming out of a small space!:rolleyes:

Nice, I wish men could get pregnant and give birth. :thumbdown::rolleyes:

DocP, you'd be the first on my list to impregnate, artificially so there is no chance of any type of pleasure being in it.

Asshat

03-11-2008, 12:02 PM

I am unsure what you are trying to get at here Umi. Please clarify.

Most birthing techniques (Lamaze, Bradley method) are founded on the concept that fear causes pain. The more informed and the more knowledgeable you are about something, the less you fear it. What is wrong with women being informed about what is going on with themselves and their baby?

Sheesh, I only wrote three sentances.

I am curious to hear of the benefits of this besides just wanting to know what it's like to have a baby.

Did I say anything was wrong?

DoctorP

03-11-2008, 12:04 PM

socalheart

03-11-2008, 12:05 PM

Lesson 1 on giving birth vaginally: IT HURTS!!! It doesn't matter how many drugs they give you. It hurts before, during and after. Sure, you'll forget how much it hurt after ten years or so, but it still hurt. Yes, your precious angel is worth every bit of the extreme, intense pain of birthing him/her, but it still hurts.

Asshat

03-11-2008, 12:08 PM

Nice, I wish men could get pregnant and give birth. :thumbdown::rolleyes:

DocP, you'd be the first on my list to impregnate, artificially so there is no chance of any type of pleasure being in it.

No one is forcing you to do it right? You can adopt, or just chose to not bring children into the world.

And why do you wish men could have babies? Do you have a problem with men? I am having a hard time understanding your vehemence towards me when I asked the question earlier, and now this comment.

wenjam

03-11-2008, 02:13 PM

Ill tell you, my first baby did not hurt until after....thank goodness for epidurals, but when they wear off...OUCH...you feel it alright....My second one the epi did not work at all...by the way, that was here at Lester almost 4 year ago, and i felt everything....felt like my body was going to split into two.

SPMF#1

03-11-2008, 02:37 PM

'DocP, you'd be the first on my list to impregnate, artificially so there is no chance of any type of pleasure being in it.'

Now that was a funny one.

Asshat

03-11-2008, 02:42 PM

'DocP, you'd be the first on my list to impregnate, artificially so there is no chance of any type of pleasure being in it.'

Now that was a funny one.

Someone has issues...or has experienced some male repression in the past. A good Dr. Phil candidate.

Personally, I am going to chop of my penis in agreement.

Trail

03-11-2008, 02:58 PM

No one is forcing you to do it right? You can adopt, or just chose to not bring children into the world.

And why do you wish men could have babies? Do you have a problem with men? I am having a hard time understanding your vehemence towards me when I asked the question earlier, and now this comment.

You can't construe sarcasm through a typeface. That is my main dilemma and why I am being misunderstood.

No I was not forced and yes adoption has always been an option for my husband and I. We are actually discussing if we were wanting to adopt here or not. Then, nature happened, quickly. Previously tried to get pregnant for over a year and then gave up. Tried again this time and I was pregnant in 2 months. It was unexpected to happen so fast.

My comment about men becoming pregnant was in playful banter directed towards DocP's stark rendition of what women go through.

Asshat

03-11-2008, 03:09 PM

You can't construe sarcasm through a typeface. That is my main dilemma and why I am being misunderstood.

No I was not forced and yes adoption has always been an option for my husband and I. We are actually discussing if we were wanting to adopt here or not. Then, nature happened, quickly. Previously tried to get pregnant for over a year and then gave up. Tried again this time and I was pregnant in 2 months. It was unexpected to happen so fast.

My comment about men becoming pregnant was in playful banter directed towards DocP's stark rendition of what women go through.

I was merely asking why go to the classes. Seemed like you were all in my koolaid for it. But anyway, I am happy it worked out for you. :)

I heard long ago that child birth was the most painful human experience, followed by a heart attack. I am not sure why nature worked this out like it did, but if it makes you feel any better, I feel for women who endure that pain, yet live thier lives as nurturing humans...something else women do well.

Trail

03-11-2008, 07:23 PM

I was merely asking why go to the classes. Seemed like you were all in my koolaid for it. But anyway, I am happy it worked out for you. :)

I heard long ago that child birth was the most painful human experience, followed by a heart attack. I am not sure why nature worked this out like it did, but if it makes you feel any better, I feel for women who endure that pain, yet live thier lives as nurturing humans...something else women do well.

I'm sorry I jumped in your Koolaide. I happen to like Koolaide, especially strawberry the most. :o

All in all, I am not looking forward to labor and it irks me when people remind me on how painful it will be. I realize it will be the worst pain I have yet to encounter. Again, not looking forward to it none the less.

Classes I suppose are somewhat of a support structure on top of being informative. Birthing classes get "mates" or "coaches" involved and informed about the process. When you know you are going to go through hell, it be nice to have company and a sympathetic shoulder. Classes also help those who have absolutely no clue what they are doing.

Asshat

03-11-2008, 07:28 PM

Thanks Trail. I sure as hell wouldn't want to do it. As a male, it does me no good to empathize, but I can certainly understand fear....

okisteve

03-11-2008, 07:37 PM

[quote=Trailryder61403;79524

Classes I suppose are somewhat of a support structure on top of being informative. Birthing classes get "mates" or "coaches" involved and informed about the process. When you know you are going to go through hell, it be nice to have company and a sympathetic shoulder. Classes also help those who have absolutely no clue what they are doing.[/quote]

You might want to check out this site:
http://www.dona.org/mothers/index.php

My daughter (in the US now) is a certified doula (birth coach). I think when she was visiting us here a few years ago she found someone on the island who was also.

Trail

03-11-2008, 07:45 PM

Okisteve-
Thank you for the info on doulas. Hopefully I make a few more female friends that can offer a bit of support and info. I also hubby is getting invovled and that makes a huge difference. I will definitely write this website down so I can give it out to first time mom/single mom support here in Kadena. Again, Thank You!

Courtney

03-11-2008, 09:01 PM

Thanks for the responce about "Happiest baby on the block". I just loaned my friend my copy of the book. I sware it SAVED me when my hubby was gone doing his year tour and i was alone w/ a 5 and 6 y.o. and a newborn!
I SWARE by this book and its teachings!

jml99

03-12-2008, 09:16 AM

Courtney (and whoever else might be interested)...

Another great way to find out info on ob care and birth classes available at Lester is to visit their website at http://www.oki.med.navy.mil/. From the homepage, click on "Info for Patients and Community," then click on "Specialty Clinics" on the left side of the screen. Then click on the ob/gyn clinic. The site has some good info, including their hours, phone numbers, lists of doctors and specialists available (there is a certified nurse midwife but I haven't heard of a doula available - the midwife is very nice, saw her when I had some complications), a link to detailed descriptions of the classes, and flight and typhoon restrictions. I had my first baby there back in October, and took as many classes as possible. I found them to be very helpful, especially the Prepared Childbirth class. When I took it, in addition to all the info on pain management during birth and what happens during the different stages, they took us on a tour of the delivery and couplet care areas, which I found reassuring to see ahead of time. They also told us the procedures for checking in. But then again, I'm pretty neurotic about being as prepared as possible ahead of time. If anyone has any questions about the process, I'd be happy to help however I can!

BTW - I loved the Happiest Baby on the Block book, too, and was all ready to get her wrapped up like a burrito, but after trying several times to keep my little girl's arms pinned to her sides in those blankets just to have her wiggle her arms out and up above her head, I gave up. Some babies just don't like that feeling, I guess, hahaha! But it worked great for a friend of mine!