Laugh and Learn About Childbirth

This DVD set far exceeded my expectations. My husband and I live overseas, and childbirth class options are limited (and in another language), leading us to seek additional avenues of learning about the process and our options. We are aiming for a natural childbirth, but are using a common-sense approach, so we also want to be informed about all our options related to pain relief. This DVD set provided exactly that. Sheri (the host) does not conceal the fact that in low-risk pregnancies, she favors unmedicated childbirth, but nor does she try to shove it down your throat. She addresses the epidural and its potential risks / side effects, and then advises that for those who do choose to get the epidural, there is a "right time" to get it. She presents the information in an organized, list-like fashion, which allowed me to boil down all the salient points to a few 3x5 index cards, which I plan to take with me to the hospital, and have referred to constantly in the final months of my pregnancy. For example, here's how a couple of my index cards read:PRE-LABOR:1. Pelvic Station: baby's descent (at 37 weeks, ask doc about baby's station)2. Effacement: thinning of cervix, measured by % (the thinner it is, the faster it opens). First-timers efface, then dilate; second-timers dilate then efface.3. Dilation: how wide cervix is open.6 Preliminary Signs of Labor:1. Braxton-Hicks Contractions2. Weight Stabilization - 2 weeks before labor3. Burst of energy for 48 hours - 2 weeks before labor4. Baby drops - pee all the time, breathe again (after 36 weeks)5. Increased discharge.6. Diarrhea - night before going into labor.3 Actual Signs of Labor (must have TWO of THREE for it to be labor):1. Loss of mucous plug.2. Breaking water. (When this happens, sit down, note time, call doctor, green means go to the hospital right away.)3. Contractions. (Measured from start to start.)CONTRACTIONS:Call doc: when 5 minutes apart for one hour (for first-timers). Every 5 minutes = cervix dilated 1-3 cm.Go to hospital: when can't talk through contractions. ENJOY down time.She also reviews in detail the three stages of labor, the three phases of stage one labor, the progression of contractions, breathing and pushing techniques, comfort measures for mom, pain medication options, emergency delivery, and much more. I highly recommend this DVD set, particularly for those who are unable to or opt not to attend a childbirth class. From what we've found, this DVD set really is the next best thing.

let me start off by saying...if you looking for a labor DVD that uses breathing techniques and ISNT judgmental if you will be having an epidural or not...THIS IS THE DVD!!!I am 37 weeks pregnant and I definitely plan on having an epidural but I also wanted some sort of direction and help with breathing techniques and helping cope with labor pains because being that this is my first baby, I had no idea what to expect, what to do and what everything should feel like when the baby actually decided on coming. My husband works alot and there was no way he could make it to weekly meetings at the Lamaze class or (lets be honest) the sighs of having to go to a boring class. He wasn't going to be pushing this baby into the world, I was. So I decided we needed SOMETHING to help me out and I wanted him to know what was going to happen and what he could do to help. This DVD is great. It goes through the stages and everything. It includes 2 DVD's. The setting takes place in a living room with several different couples that are pregnant. One couple has had a baby before, but want to go the natural, at home birth route, so if that's what you are looking for, they have some relevant question you might nedd answered if you plan on doing the same. Its great also because you dont have to watch them all the way through. You can fast forward to parts you want to see or rewind and stop if your taking notes, like I am because believe me, you won't remember everything. Although my husband uses the fact that you don't have to watch everything through and zone out at parts he's seen before and I want to take notes on, he uses this as an excuse and falls asleep. Maybe its not such a good idea when your husband fall asleep so easily but I def recommend it. So happy with this DVD. The only CON if you could call it that, was that the instructor is always making little side jokes, which weren't very funny sometimes but tolerable.Overall, if you are looking for a great DVD that really explains the different stages of birth and any questions the (paid) couples have, you should get the DVD. It answered all my questions and any questions that I did have, I asked my doctor or my sister.Don't worry mama, you can do it! Congrats on your fast coming arrival. :)

even being our second pregnancy we learned so much outta this dvd SO worth it! way better than any class you could attend plus sitting comfortably in your home (or snuggled up in bed! lol)! Dont let other reviews change your mind about her jokes and attitude bc they almost changed mine, glad i decided to buy! She does have a silly sense of humor and can get a lil cheesy per say but shes talking about child birth and all the 'fun' entails it has and that go along with it so what do you expect eh?!? very informative, worth the buy! were gonna watch it again before our due date and then donate it to the library for others to use!

This dvd is very informative with a lot of helpful topics that one needs to know about childbirth. The only problem I had with the host/teacher (Sheri Bayles) is that she's a bit obnoxious with her jokes, and she also talks really fast. Her jokes/stories are funny, but they did start to annoy me after a while. Regardless, the dvd is very helpful overall containing wide variety of topics involving childbirth. There are also suggestions on if this is one's first childbirth or second. My husband and I didn't take sit in childbirth classes so this dvd was a great substitute. In addition, I watched some topics over again so I could get a better understanding on them and having a dvd helped. Overall its a good dvd if you can get past the jokes.

Great way to learn the basics without spending hundresds of dollars in birthing classes

Helped me through my labour. Amazing !

I didn't go for a child birth class so instead I got this DVD to watch with my husband in the house! For us it worked perfect because we didn't need to leave the house and we had a good time laughing watching the DVD! Good information for first time moms and dads with a bit of humor on it, what is great for some very scary subject!