as I’m entering my final four months of pregnancy, I’ve been advised by books, doctors, etc that this is the time to sign up for childbirth preparation classes.  I’ve briefly looked into the options at the hospital I’m planning on delivering the baby at, and not only are the courses pretty expensive but they also span 4 to 6 weeks!  {not sure if that’s normal, but it seems like one class would be enough.}

so, this might be a silly question, but are childbirth prep classes really necessary?  I can understand them being extremely helpful especially since I really don’t know what to expect from childbirth, but I have a feeling that when it comes right down to it, and I’m in labor and focusing on trying to get through each contraction, that all I’ve learned and focused on might just end up going out the window.  I’m planning on a natural vaginal birth with no pain medication or unnecessary interventions and Levi and I have discussed hiring a doula.  seems like with the {significantly hirer} amount of money that I’m paying for a doula that I don’t really need the 4 week prep class.  plus, I’ve been reading through my stack of pregnancy books and feel like I’m as prepared as I’m going to be, at least at this point.  part of me thinks any additional preparation will be helpful, but the other part of me thinks spending that money on one of the other thousand things I still need to purchase for this baby might be the wiser choice, but I’d love to hear your thoughts.

let me start off by saying that this long post will be 2 parts complaining and 1 part searching for advice.

so, from about 12 weeks or so into my pregnancy, I’ve been experiencing what I’ve determined to be sciatica – an annoying pins and needles sensation that varies anywhere from minor to sharp pain around my hip and upper buttocks.  in the beginning, my doctor simply left it that she thought it was too early for me to be feeling sciatic pain which left me to google for relief and deal with it on my own.  fast forward 10 weeks, it’s brutal and she’s finally decided it’s sciatica.  there are times when my butt hurts so badly that I have a hard time walking.  and not to mention, the sharp pains / pins and needles are twice as bad in my left hip than in my right.  meaning, when I lay on my left side, the preferred pregnant mama sleeping position, it hurts and bothers me ALL NIGHT LONG.

in my prenatal yoga class last weekend, I asked my instructor for some advice.  she said don’t sit in the same position for more than 30 mins {hello, I’m a graphic designer and work at a computer 8 hours a day} and she said don’t bend over forward to relieve the pain {um… my lower back is now starting to hurt too and that feels SO good on it!}.  I’ve been trying to sit cross legged at my desk, tried many yoga poses to contradict the all day sitting, and have ultimately felt no relief.

if you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading!!!  has anyone experienced this during pregnancy or have any wonderful advice?  it’d be much appreciated.