Warning: This post is all about breastfeeding. If the topic makes you woozy or uncomfortable, don’t read this post.

I went to a La Leche League meeting this morning to get some more info on breastfeeding. Besides me, there were four other moms (plus the leader). Three of us were pregnant (all boys!) with due dates ranging from next Thursday, to mid-Dec., to my date of the end of the year.

It was pretty informal. The leader discussed nighttime parenting tips and we were able to ask all sorts of questions.

The leader wasn’t a certified lactation consultant, but I still wanted her opinion on a few things.

I wanted to know what she suggested in terms of nursing wear. She said she found it easiest to get tank tops with built-in shelf bras and layer them under other shirts. Nursing bras were helpful, too, and she said Target had some for a decent price. She told me that when she nursed with a regular bra and pulled it up, it eventually led to a clogged milk duct which was painful.

Who knew?

She suggested I get some after my baby is born so I can have a better idea of what size to get. I don’t know how practical that will be. One mom there suggested getting one or two a few weeks before my due date to get me started. I think that’s what I’ll do.

Next, I wanted to know her opinion on the need for a breast pump to help with engorgement. She said that simply nursing the baby is the best way to relieve that, though some moms find pumps helpful. She said it was an optional thing, and I could probably wait until after the baby was born to decide on whether I need one.

I also received a folder full of handouts, which I’ll read later.

I don’t think I need to attend another meeting, but maybe I’ll change my mind after Baby is born.

It was nice to meet other moms in a similar stage of life, but I think it might be more beneficial to simply speak with a lactation consultant. I know I’ll do that before I leave the hospital, and I’ll make sure I can get one to come to my apartment if I’m having any trouble.

Stacy reminded me that I forgot to blog about eating and drinking during labor. At our Bradley childbirth class a few weeks ago, I gave a short presentation about the pros and cons of it.

From my research, I learned that when you’re in labor, your body will probably try to clear your gastrointestional tract. Yes, we can look forward to vomiting and diarrhea during the early stages of labor. This is thought to make more room for the baby to pass through, and prevents food from sitting in the body for too long, as your digestion might slow down. Cuz hey, your body is busy doing other things.

It’s possible that we won’t feel hungry at this time. Kinda hard to have an appetite if you’re in the bathroom ralphing.

In the 1940s, a doctor did a small study on animals. I don’t know much about the study, but I know that he concluded that it would be better for a woman not to eat or drink while she was in labor, in case she needed general anesthesia.

If she needed to be knocked out, there was a small chance that she could vomit and asphixiate.

That was pretty much the only “study” on the topic, even though actual laboring women and their nutritional needs during labor haven’t been fully studied.

Back then, it was more common for a woman to be unconscious while delivering her baby. So, the risk of asphixiation was slightly greater.

But today? Highly unlikely. Here’s why I think the “need” to fast during labor is a bunch of bunk:

1. Even if you don’t eat, there’s no guarantee that your stomach will be empty. There’s usually a small amount on your stomach at all times. And, you’ll have stomach acids there anyway.

2. It’s much more dangerous to vomit pure stomach acids than it is to vomit food mixed with acid. You’ll burn your throat and if it gets into the lungs, it’ll be more harmful that way.

3. The likelihood that you’ll need general anesthesia is incredibly small.

4. With modern improvements to anesthesia, your doctor will be more able to monitor your barfing and help you if you do.

5. There aren’t any documented cases of a woman asphyxiating while in labor.

6. If you’re hungry but denied nourishment, your labor could stall. But, if your nutritional needs are met, you might actually have a quicker labor and a baby with a higher APGAR score!

7. Ever try to run a race or take a difficult exam on an empty stomach? Good luck! Childbirth is the ultimate physical and mental exertion (I’m guessing). You need your strength. If labor lasts for a long time, you could get dehydrated or start to starve.

8. Being hooked up to an IV of fluids and glucose isn’t necessarily a safe alternative to actually eating or drinking. For one thing, it’s not a natural way for the body to eat. Two, you’re increasing your risk for infection. You’ll be less mobile, which can slow your labor or cause unnecessary pain. It can cause other problems for the mom and baby.

Some hospitals have a policy stating you can only have ice chips while in active labor. Excuse me? What? The logic of ice chips vs. water makes no sense to me. Ice melts. It becomes water in your belly anyway.

I asked my former OB what she thought. She told me that food will be the last thing on my mind, but I could only have ice chips. Why? “Risk” of asphixiation. Kthxbai, lady.

As long as everything is normal, the midwives I’m seeing do allow you to eat or drink as you please.

I’m greatly affected by what I eat and drink. I get out of sorts if I go too long without a meal. I’m not pleasant to be around. If I think of it, I’ll eat a light meal before heading into the hospital. And, while there, I’ll have snacks that will be easy to digest.

Possibilities include yogurt, applesauce, scrambled eggs, toast, honey, broth, Jell-o — ya know, mushy stuff.

Back during my cross-country days, I would carry a pack of M&Ms with me on long runs. I just needed those extra few calories to get me through it. I think this’ll be a similar thing for me.

For more info on the topic, check out this info sheet.

Oh my goodness, I am such a fan of the exercise ball!

Some people call them “birthing balls,” but they’re the same thing.

I bought this thing a few days ago for about $12 at Target, and it’s already worth every cent.

Not only are they a good aid for exercise, but simply sitting on them does great things for your posture. Also, it takes pressure off your sitting bones.

It’s no longer comfortable for me to recline in a chair. Even if I’m leaning back just a little, all that extra weight in my belly presses on my back and it hurts.

So, I’ve been sitting on an exercise ball instead, and it feels much better! My spine can lengthen, my back is straighter, and my belly isn’t putting pressure on anything. And when I’m not sitting on the ball, I can feel a difference.

My childbirth instructor told me that sitting on these balls (and sitting cross-legged on the floor) can help the baby get in the proper position for delivery. Right on.

After my baby is born, I can continue to sit on it, use it to get back in shape, and hey, since it’s a giant ball, it’ll be a fun toy to amuse the baby.

Shane and I went on a tour of the hospital’s maternity ward, and it was definitely worth our time. We saw where we needed to go when we show up in labor, and saw the labor & delivery rooms and the recovery rooms. Oh, and the nursery, where one baby was hanging out.

There’s jacuzzi tubs in some rooms (I’ve heard that laboring moms who are attended by the midwives get first dibs on these rooms!) and there are showers with benches. So that might feel nice.

The rooms were ok, but still really hospital-like. I don’t imagine I’ll sleep so well. The mattress is thin, but it looks more comfortable than the “couch” in the room for Shane’s use. I hope we remember to bring our own pillows! It’s not easy for me to sleep in unfamiliar settings anyway. At least they’re all private rooms.

I’m sure I’ll be plenty exhausted, so maybe that’ll help me sleep.

The woman giving the tour said the average stay is 48 hours for normal births and healthy babies. Sounds kinda long, but I have no idea how I’ll be feeling. Depending on things though, we might just want to get the heck out of there as soon as I’m cleared by my midwife and Baby is OK’ed by his pediatrician. Or maybe not.

As far as “freebies” go, we’ll get a little comb, thermometer, some sort of diaper bag (I’m not expecting this to be anything exciting) and some wipes & dipes. We’ll have long-sleeve t-shirts and hats for him to wear while he’s in the hospital, but they aren’t ours to keep. The hat, maybe.

At my Bradley childbirth class earlier this week, our instructor talked about the first stage of labor.

There are distinct things that happen during the first stage, second stage, transition, and pushing stage.

During one of the stages, a preggo mama might lose her sense of modesty. She’s so focused on other things that she just doesn’t care. Or, being covered might be extremely uncomfortable — maybe she feels too hot, too itchy or weighed down.

Our instructor related one story to us:

A mom-to-be was in labor and jumped in the shower at home so the warm water would soothe her. Her husband helped her for awhile, but recognized that her labor was progressing and that they needed to head over to the hospital.

He fetched her robe, but she didn’t want to put it on.

He tried a towel. Nope, that felt terrible around her.

How ’bout a bedsheet? No thanks!

The mama walked out of her house, fresh from the shower, and got into her car. Naked.

Her husband drove her to the hospital, as she sat there in labor — naked.

She got out, and walked her hugely pregnant, naked body straight into the hospital.

The triage nurse took one look at her and said, “Oh honey, you’re gunna have that baby now!”

And she had her baby within 20 minutes of arrival.

OH MY GOSH!!!!!

OK — so we can learn a few things.

First, if the pregnant lady just wants to be buck naked, she might be in a later stage of labor than you thought. I don’t think all of ‘em want to be without clothes, but who knows?

Second, if you walk into triage without wearing any clothes, you’re going to get immediate attention. No “wait here while we prepare your room” or any of that nonsense. No ma’am — you’re going to get plenty of people over to your side right away.

And third, you just can’t know how labor will treat ya. I’m sure this woman had absolutely no intention of being naked in front of so many people. But, when you’re in that state, who knows what could happen?

I made Shane promise me he wouldn’t let me walk outside or into a hospital without being at least somewhat decently covered. I think it helps that it’ll be WINTER and for pete’s sake, I don’t think my crazy laboring self would want me to get frostbite, no matter how out of it I might be.