My First Antenatal Class

Well, it's actually 2nd Lesson... I signed up for classes starting on 30 November, but last week the instructor called and ask me why I didn't go for the first class on the 19 Oct!

Apparently the stupid people signed me up for the wrong date! I wanted to join the Nov class, but the instructor said that due to the holiday seasons, the delay may push the last few classes to dates that are uncomfortably close to my due date, so she recommends that I start with lessons 2 onwards, and attend lesson 1 on 30 Nov.

-_- OK loh~

So on 26 Oct 2008, we went for our very first Antenatal class! The class is located at a childcare centre at the new Ang Mo Kio Hub. There were about 15-20 couples there, all sitting on mats and pillows provided. We arrived just in time before the class started, so we had to sit right under the nose of the instructor.

At first I sat upright and didn't want to lie down on the pillow (dunno got alot of germs or not). But after awhile of sitting on the floor with no back rest, I gave up and lay down as I listen to the instructor. So weird, 1st time attending a class lying on the floor! Haha.. quite shiok lah...

The instructor is a retired nurse, very auntie but motherly type. Her presentation slides showing the different anatomy of the body were quite boring really, but her verbal advices on real life experiences were great.

Lesson 2 - Pain Relief

• Video on different pain relief methods
1. Breathing and Relaxation techniques
2. Entonox (oxygen and nitrous oxide(laughing gas))
3. Pethidine (anaesthetic via injection)
4. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS)machine (like a U-zap placed on your lower back to block out the pain)
5. Water bath
6. Epidural

• Physiological Approach to Breathing Relaxation
Learnt breathing techniques to curb initial stages of labour pain.
"Breath in.. 2..3..4.. Breath out..2..3..4"

• Changes in Pregnancy Leading to Signs & Symptoms of Labour
1. "Show" - spotting or bleeding: wear a sanitary pad
2. Water bag leak / burst
3. Contractions: Period between contractions would shorten. When reach around 7 mins, time to check into hospital. If opting for Epidural, can check in earlier and get yourself comfortable - no need to wait.

If 2 or 3 happen, can proceed to hospital liao...

• Antenatal Exercise
Erm... actually I find this part quite silly.
The exercise was:
1. turning your head (left, right, up, down)
2. twirling your feet
3. twisting your upper body left and right
4. stretching my triceps
5. lifting your legs up while seated on the floor

Lame loh... I can get a better work out doing chores at home! Ok lah, maybe it's more appropriate for those mummies with giant tummies. I find it a waste of time really.

Overall it was quite an educational class. Many facts were uncovered as the instructor went side-tracked on her lessons. It was also a great 2 hours for Cobby to really get involved in this pregnancy and we had a good bonding time.

Next week, we have to come up with a list of things we were planning to bring in our hospital bag! Looking forward to it!