I am half way through observing my second set of antenatal classes. Today's class featured 1st stage labour positions and massage.
It was a really vibrant class - with lots of interactivity and the class are really starting to bond now.
1st atage positions was taught the usual way - cards with diagrams on, and the teacher getting them to take up those positions, the premise being that if you practice the positions you are much more likely to use them in labour. The teacher conducted the discussions in a very holistic manner asking the class when in first stage they might use the positions, bringing how tired or much in pain they may be. She incorporated discussion around what equipment you might have available and how this may differ if you are at home versus in hospital. She discussed with them how some of the positions might be used even if you are being monitored or induced, and the effect pain relief might have on positioning.
I really liked the holistic approach and might explore this more to see what areas I can come up with and how I might do something similar. I made a note in the margins about the possibility of doing the positions in time order, but in discussion with the teacher afterwards she explained that this would remove the ability to get the class to recognise when they might be used and wht might happen to them as labour progresses. She also mentioned that not everyone is comfortable with this exercise early on thus giving an order might make someone feel pressured. Felt the visual aids had seen better days but then she has been using them for 14 years!!! Might be worth putting together my visual aids for this topic now as it's always going to be used.
The massage session also included contraction demonstration. This was illustrated using the white noise tape and the teacher timed the length of time it was on. 1st time through the couples just listened, 2nd time, they massaged in position and sure enough nearly all percieved the latter set as being shorter even though it was longer. The 3rd set illusttrated the longest time of contraction that they could expect (90 seconds). During the end part of the massage session the teacher showed the class some basic strokes and explained a little about using oil and how this can be used. It would be useful to speak to my mum about masage/oils as she is an aromatherapist!!!
All in all a good session - some great ideas! The results of the homework (a mood board about thier perception of thier birth) was really interesting. One of the couples, who I thought had resigned themselves to a highly interventive birth actually announced they were toying with the idea of attending a local birth centre instead of the region's main hospital! Another couple (who are not together, although he does intend to attend the birth) were less positive about thier birth expectations (but possibly mre realistic!). But the nice thing was they seem to be getting closer eeach week that they attend. There was one done solely by the male of the couple - which was interesting! I can't believe that you can set the class homework and they would actually do it! and to a good standard as well. It was a real eye-opener.