Feature


Birthing Center


Support for Natural Childbirth


Classes help expectant couple learn labor pain management


First-time mom Krista Traucht wanted to deliver her baby without pain medication, if possible. So she and her husband took a class at Community Memorial to learn techniques for labor pain management. Only hours later, the couple called on the tools they learned.


“I


wanted to give birth naturally,” said Krista Traucht, a first-time mother who teaches kindergarten in Menomonee Falls. “Tat’s what piqued my interest


in finding a class. I wanted to be more informed.”


Traucht and her husband, Benjamin, took Advanced Comfort Measures for Childbirth, a single-session class that shows expecting couples how to use a variety of techniques to manage labor pain. Te Trauchts attended the class at Froedtert Health Community Memorial Hospital last February. Teir baby was not due for another two and a half weeks.


“I found out how to use the birthing ball, and my husband learned techniques for massage,” Traucht said. “Te class was very thorough, and our instructor gave us an honest feel for the labor process.”


VARIETY OF TOOLS


Community Memorial offers a variety of prenatal and infant care courses, including an online course geared toward mothers on bed rest and a refresher childbirth course for experienced parents.


“Te nurses were all very encouraging … It gives you the extra adrenaline you need to say, OK, I can do this.” – Krista Traucht


Later that evening, Traucht began the early stages of labor.


“I didn’t know we would be applying what we learned so soon,” she said.


“Our regular childbirth classes include information on natural pain management techniques, but some people are looking for more in-depth education, so we offer the Advanced Comfort Measures class,” said Sally Slusser, RN, class instructor and coordinator of prenatal education at Community Memorial. Te goal of the class is to provide a variety of tools to couples. Te labor supporters learn several massage techniques, including the double hip squeeze for relieving pain during difficult back labor. Mothers learn useful breathing patterns and


visualization exercises that can help women feel secure and relaxed.


“Everyone practices with an exercise ball to relieve back pressure,” Slusser said. “Walking, rocking, standing, lunging and other movements can all help the pelvis open up and help labor progress.”


10 FEELING FINE SPRING 2012


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