We took the class on working with labor pain at Northwest Hospital, and the better birth refresher course on Rainier. Both courses were informative and tailored to the needs and questions of participants. The labor pain class gave us many tools for managing pain without medication, and gave both my wife and I the confidence that we would be able to handle childbirth without pain meds this time around. We learned pain management and distraction techniques that worked for each of us, and were able to put together a list of techniques to try during labor.
The better birth refresher course began with each family reviewing what the previous childbirth had been like, and then addressed concerns we each had about our upcoming birth. We were able to ask questions about the likelihood that challenges from our previous birth would impact this birth, and to hear from other second-time parents about what had gone well for their birth experiences before.
I especially appreciated the handouts we received from each class. I was able to review what we had learned as the due date approached (and passed), and to plan what I wanted to bring to the hospital and try in labor. These classes helped me choose what to take in the hospital bag, and suggested some new items to add. Our experience with birth this second time around was wonderful, and I attribute that to these courses, and how they prepared us so well. read more
