Birthing Classes- some funny commentary :)

So Nick and I have been going to some birthing classes offered by our hospital every Monday night. We have attended 3 thus far and have discussed things like pain medication options, the layout of the hospital, what to expect when you check in, breathing techniques, stages of labor, etc. They have been quite informative, sometimes too informative :)

I thought I would share some funny commentary from the class last night. We were doing some exercises, similar to role playing, though our teacher refuses to use the word role play. Each couple was given a card with a scenario on it (time of day, contraction length & strength, feelings, etc) and we had to put the cards in order of the stages of labor. When it came time for your card, you had to say what positions and breathing techniques were best used during this stage, as well as what the husband's role should be at that time. Nick and I had one of the final stages, so we got off fairly easy, but some other couples had some funny reactions.

A couple that had an early stage of labor had a funny answer. When our instructor asked the dad-to-be what he would be saying to his wife who was having mild contractions that were getting closer together, he replied, very casually, "How's it going?" The instructor shot him a look and told him that is never something you want to say/ask. She then asked him what he would be doing for her at this time and he replied "grab a rag and give it to her?" Wow! Our teacher quickly explained what some correct answers would be and quickly moved to the next couple. I think that guy is now in the doghouse, not only with his expecting wife, but with our instructor.

The next funny response came from a dad-to-be that had a card that was the transition phase of labor- the longest and most painful stage. When asked what he would be saying to his wife, he replied "Something positive, since I will be the sane one, I mean one of us has to be." Yikes! That didn't get such a good reaction from anyone... ha! This same guy later asked the instructor how clean the birthing room would be- were we not in one of the top birthing hospitals in the state? Guess he is a complete germ-a-phobe!

Anyway, thought these were funny enough to pass along b/c we got quite a kick out of them. I do have to say Nick was one of the best dad's in the class- he will be a great coach whether we are going with Plan A or B. I was proud! :)