How to give birth

Rhonda Simmons / Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: May 9, 2007

Let's face it today's schedules are busier than ever.
That's why Culpeper Regional Hospital is offering childbirth preparation classes over the weekend.

"For some it's really hard to come to class five nights," said Cindy Curtis, family birth center director at CRH. "It's easier for significant others to attend these classes, too."

The two-day class is geared toward helping parents become more knowledgeable about the physical process and emotions of birth, said Curtis.

It also reduces the anxiety surrounding labor and teaches parents various techniques to cope with labor and delivery.
Classroom Instructor Barbara Hierholzer, RN, says working as a couple is nice for the expectant mother.

"It's actually very helpful for learning what not to do because you could get hurt if you go in talking to her at the wrong time," joked Hierholzer, directing that comment to the men in the room.

For those who can make it during the week, CRH still offers a night class on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m.

Classroom experiment
Hierholzer, a nine-year veteran, gave the class a hands-on assignment. After passing out Lifesaver mints, she asked the group to suck on the flavorful candy until it became extremely thin.

Holding a Lifesaver in her left hand, she said it represented a closed cervix.

"During an exam, we call it a one," she explained. "Most of you are closed right now."

In her right hand, Hierholzer held up a plain bagel.
"This is a 10. This class will help you get from here to here." she said, with both of her arms raised above her head. "It's a huge change. If you think you're not going to feel it, guess what, you are."

The interactive class allows parents to ask questions at  any time. The classroom of nine first-time parents asked questions such as how long does labor usually take and what types of foods they should be eating-

Hierholzer also uses an online presentation to show parents what to expect during and after pregnancy.

The tour
Hierholzer took the class on a 15-minute tour of the family birth center, which is located in a secured portion of the hospital.

"This is very nice because we can control who comes in and who doesn't' she said. "If you want to sleep you get sleep. You can even put a note up in the window if you don't want any visitors."

CRH is a rooming-in hospital where babies stay in the room with mothers. Hierholzer said doctors can do assessments in the mother's room, however, if an infant is having some transition issues then that child is monitored by a physician in the nursery.

CRH has a total of three birthing rooms.
The regular rooms are equipped with resuscitation rooms - a small area just a few feet away from the labor bed where the baby goes immediately after birth.

"So mom can see that we are measuring the baby and that we're doing all of the normal stuff," she said. "Everything's done right here."

Parental expectations
Tamberlyn and Andy Befumo want to be well prepared before going into the delivery room.

"Just so you don't go into it blind," Tamberlyn said, who is due to deliver her child July 6. "It's very, very scary. I think just having some knowledge is helpful."

Tamberlyn said her mom warned her that they call it labor for a reason.

Andy said he's taking the class to support his wife.

"And to know what to expect," he said. "I think there's a decent amount of information in there for fathers which I didn't expect."

After a few hours of class, Andy realized he has a huge job to take on in the delivery room.

"I thought it was going to be like the movies where I was going to be in the waiting room pacing," he joked. "I liked the idea of that."

Tabitha and Eric Donaldson wanted to know about breastfeeding and its benefits.

"I've done a lot of reading so far but I also thought this class would help a lot more," said Tabitha, who is due to deliver a girl on July 22.

Tabitha is looking forward to the class making her delivery easier. Her husband, Eric, said he's looking forward to being in the delivery room with her.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .