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Last November, when I was 5 months pregnant, I looked for a Lamaze class or a birthing class in Manila. The two teachers in Manila that I saw were Rome Kanapi and Chiqui Brosas. Based on the feedback and the reviews and the ‘kwentos’ of mommies, both are actually good, but I inquired about Rome’s class since my cousins studied under her. I called her up to sign up. She sent me a sign up sheet via email that I submitted back.

Her classes are composed of 6 meetings. Our classes started on January 6, 2013. We took the Sunday morning classes that ran from 9 in the morning to 12 o’ clock noon. The venue was at Room 2 Walter Hogan Conference Center also called Institute of Social Order Complex or ISO, Father Arrupe Road, Ateneo University, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. The six classes were packaged at Php 4,500 per couple. The cost was very reasonable for the amount of learning and knowledge that you will get.

Here are the things to bring to class:
1. One mat – either a local mat/banig, exercise mat with foam, yoga mat, sleeping bag or big towel
2. One small throw pillow
3. A list of your food & drink intake a week before classes begin

For the attire, be sure to wear anything comfortable like pants, shorts or leggings since you and your husband will be doing a few exercises.

There were a lot of things that I learned from Rome’s Birthing Classes. These are the things that I remember and I find very useful:

1. Stretching exercises: In your last weeks of pregnancy, the weight of your baby can give you aches and pains all over. I started feeling the weight during my 35th week. You will truly appreciate this.

2. Progressive Relaxation: The idea of being a mom soon can be quite rattling for some. I love these relaxation technique that Rome taught. I love that I can do this anytime!

3. Info on the stages of labor: Can be quite scary to listen to the details, but knowing is half the battle! (haha!)

4. Diapering: I haven’t attended any diapering classes before this one so this was a great way to learn. Ej and I were early during the day that this was taught so both of us got to practice a lot of times. I think EJ is now an expert on this.

5. Etc. Etc. Etc.: What I liked about Rome’s class is that she could cite a lot of examples from previous students, or based on experience or based on research on how it is.

The best part for me, too, was that you get to meet other couples who will have the same EDD (expected date of delivery) as you. Our batch formed a facebook group where we share with each other our experiences during labor, delivery, breastfeeding, etc. It’s like a little support group.

I also asked some of my classmates about their experiences. Here is what Mommy Hann has to say:

1. What is the most important lesson that you learned during class?
The breathing methods used during the different phases of labor. it really helped me a lot when I started with the contractions. Also, it really helps to know those medical terminologies, especially the medications used during delivery as we were able to discussed it with our OB without being clueless, hehe.

2. Would you recommend Rome’s class and why?
Yes! The truth is, we’re not really the well-off couple but I would still suggest taking it (pag-ipunan!), because it really pays to be well-informed with these kind of things. Because of this class, we knew what to expect during the whole process and how to prepare for it.

3. What did you like best about the class?
What I liked best is that I met couples whom I can relate to because we’re all going the same thing!

Here is what Mommy Kat had to say:
The most important lesson that I have learned is to keep calm in everything that would happen. I would recommend this class to every expectant mom and dad, and what I liked best was when there was participation from the dads’ to be, for them to be ready and for them to be part of the pregnancy especially giving birth and after…for them to be aware of their role.

Here is what Mommy Gem had to say:

1. What is the most important lesson that you learned during class?
The most important lesson I learned in class was that every pregnancy is different. I have read a couple of preggy books, the usual ‘what to expect when youre expecting’ books and other books passed on from various friends to ease my worries about the whole pregnancy (since I never felt I was ready). And what I have realized that although these books tried to answer as much general questions as it could, not all of them happened to me, or will happen to every pregnancy. Information about my own pregnancy, general concerns and lesson plan from Rome’s class helped ease my mind about what to really expect while being in the situation.

2. Would you recommend Rome’s class and why?
Yes, I would recommend Rome’s class. I feel that with the information that she gave, I was more prepared with what I was going to go through. The various tips was invaluable… the cheat sheet, birth plan, things to ask the doctor, the general up to date information that she had. These really helped prepare me and Jason (hubby) with budget concerns, what to do, what to ask, what to say and where to go. I stepped into class so clueless, and when we finished I was confident that Jason would be able to swaddle, diaper change and burp the baby without too much booboos. I am happy to share tips to other mommy friends on things we learned that they never thought of, just like recently when I directed a friend of mine to go directly to the labor room (instead of the emergency room), since if they go to the ER, they will be told to go to the labor room — little things like that.

3. What did you like best about the class?
What I liked best about the class was that although Rome has been doing this for some time, her information is not outdated. The brochure she gave us was merely a guide for the class, and I appreciate that she wasn’t just reading off from it. She had other things to share, and other things to make us practice and do. I also liked having a group of other preggy mommies who had the same concerns and now we’re friends supporting each other, even if our pregnancies are different. I also liked the candid atmosphere, the short talks from baby related companies and freebies!

And Mommy Marj says…

I have super low tolerance for pain and my baby’s birth always scared me. I thought the moment I had my contractions, no matter how mild it was, I was going to ask to be sedated, but I lasted until 8cm without epidural. Thanks to the breathing exercises, stretching and pelvic exercises I learned from the class. Note: I was still doing my pelvic exercises til 6cm.

Thank you to my mommy classmates for your insights! 🙂

I highly recommend attending this class. I’m not sure on when the schedule of the next birthing class of Rome will be, but you can call her up at landline number: 436-1757 or mobile number: 0917-541-5114.

Enjoy your pregnancy!

Love lots,