Childbirth Class at NYU Medical Center 3
The instructor spoke about the different tools that can assist in delivering babies. The main tools are the forceps and vacuum extractor. The forceps tool is like a salad tong. You can use it to help extract the baby or use it to toss salad. Two tools in one. It’s mainly used when the baby is not moving down the birth canal, a.k.a the vagina. It’s also used when the mom or baby is in distress during labor.
The vacuum tool was very different from what I had in mind. I was thinking more the likes of Hoover or Oreck machines stationed in the labor room somewhere. And when they need to, they’ll stick the vacuuming piece up the birth canal and suck the baby out. I thought that’s how it went. When the instructor showed us the tool I was surprised. It’s a tiny little hand pump thing that attach to the baby’s head. It’s to keep the baby from going up the canal during contractions and to assist the mom when she’s pushing.
The only thing else I remember from the class was that my wife kept saying how I smell like fart. I was farting in the car on the way to the class, but it should have cleared up by then. I think the smell was from the egg sandwich she brought to class.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Something I’d like to mention, knowledge of these techniques is important but they’ll always scare the crap out of you especially when you see the vacuum device in the birthing room. After having four kids these devices were never needed but were on my mind for our first. Now, with regards to the farts… well, my dog got skunked Sunday morning. I’ve got gas. Somehow smell of the skunk is in me and now is permeating through the office. Pretty bad!