Alhamdulillah, we got to attend the class as planned last Saturday (12 Oct). The course costed us RM300, which if you ask me, was totally worth it for the whole experience - venue, speakers, food (ok, don't go expect Chili's or Ayam Penyet because this IS hospital food we're talking about) and the labour room tour.
We reached there just in time for breakfast (they served 2 types of sandwiches, mineral & Milo - so thoughtful , but of course, it's a hospital!) at the foyer. We were then ushered into an auditorium just near the cafe. I never noticed that hall before, despite monthly (and before that, yearly) visits to PCMC!
Registration was smooth, as there wasn't too many couples attending.. and we were given a bag of goodies.
*pause* I wish i can upload the pictures here, but my phone is currently having issues.. sigh.
Anyway, the auditorium was quite big. It had 4 regular screens and 1 big in the middle. The screens shows presentation packs and the speakers alternately.. so every move the speaker makes will be visible to us, no matter where we sit! The facility reminded me of Convec's and Permata training centre.. Well, they all are owned by PETRONAS pun kan.. The seats were comfy and each came with a side sliding board, for us to take notes. So let's see if I can still remember what I learnt last weekend :)
First - Eating Right Throughout Pregnancy (or something like that) by in house dietician.
As we're approaching the last weeks of pregnancy, I consider the info was a bit too late. Nevertheless, I took notes because I surely will need them for #2 later. (Eh?) She gave us the breakdown of additional calories needed by trimester, and what is the exact portion.
Second - Baby care & bath, by a CN.
I know most of us mommies get by without this lesson just fine, but it surely doesn't hurt learning from the expert, no? Especially the ones doing it day in day out, year in year out. Because we moms do it up to certain number of years, and differently as our children grows. But these wonderful nurses? It is their job, looking after the babies. So, obviously each step of the procedure has its own objective.
Previously I asked around whether a newborn needs cotton wool to clean their eyes area.. As most friends said they didn't, I KIV'ed the item and decided to wait for this class. Well, I can now say with confidence, yes, we need those small balls! In fact, we had bought this yesterday during our weekly grocery shopping. See, the class is beneficial! Few points worth capturing here:
- Although the hospital provides everything we can think of, the baby is only swaddled and diapered. Yes. So it's recommended to bring the outfits.
- It's understandable that a newborn generates thrill and excitement to families, relatives and friends.. but you'll want take a day to recover before you can receive visitors. Labour is no joke, man. Personally, I would always ask friends when should I visit them, because I understand they need rest.
And of course, I'd want to savour these first moments with just the three of us - me, baby & husband :)
Plus, let the baby rest comfortably.. because EVERY visitor would want to carry and gently rock the baby. She then demonstrated how a baby is passed from one visitor to another, causing unnecessary headache for baby. "Then, everyone goes home happy, and you're left with a crying baby"
HOW TRUE! Definitely will caution them!!
- CN told us mommies to dress up on the second day! "Go put some nice clothes on, some make up.. it'll make you feel good.. why on earth do you want to wear hospital gowns?" Ok noted, definitely bringing more front button shirts then :)
- Mittens and booties are best used up til 6 weeks only!
She taught the proper way to bathe a baby, with doll demos, basin with water and all. I definitely am thankful for this information because I've never had any experience handling newborn.. And things (specifically procedures) have changed since I was born.
Third - Breastfeeding
I personally felt this topic, no matter how much you think you're prepared for, should best be learnt at a talk like these. Books, friends' stories & tips, blogs, journals.. they wouldn't do so much justice as listening to a real Lactation Counsellor speak. One of the many, many things I love about this class is that the speakers encouraged us to ask questions.
I also discovered that PCMC offers breastfeeding classes every Monday and Thursday as well.. Although I'm not sure about the price, it sure sounds good to us first time mothers who are still figuring things out kan?
Oh yeah, before I forget, there will be a nurse checking up on us and baby's well being for as long as we're in the hospital. Isn't that nice?
Okay, I should stop here.. will continue in the next post!
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