Childbirth Preparation Classes

We had our 2nd Childbirth prep class last night. Isn't it silly, I'm so excited to be done with classes that I sign myself up for more?!? I guess in some ways I will be an eternal student, always looking for conferences and trainings that I can learn from.




Class was great. I was in a good, goofy mood, so I enjoyed just spending that time with my hubby. It was a very informative class, going deeper into contractions and the process of labor. Last week, the teacher told us that we've probably been having contractions without realizing it. This week, I've started realizing it. At first I thought it was just Hudson growing and taking up more room and trying new movements. But then I noticed that I could feel him tighter within the tightness of my tummy, I realized that I am indeed experiencing light contractions, which is perfectly normal and healthy at this stage. My body is preparing for the main event. And as long as they stay light, not painful and irregular, I am fine. It is crazy to know that I am really that close to giving birth. WOW. But as scary as labor seemed before, after last night, I am actually thinking I can do it. We watched videos of real ladies in real labor and, while it didn't look pleasant by any means, I realized that it's natural. Our bodies are made for this experience. While I am 100% for the epidural, watching these ladies experience natural childbirth almost made me envious. But I love my husband too much not to do epidural. ;) Plus, I'm kind of a sissy girl. But I do hope to be able to experience some of the first phases without the aid of anesthesia. I like the idea of being able to move about some. I know how important that is to me even at this stage. I am constantly changing positions. The videos showed 2 actual births and I wasn't at all sure that I could stomach it, but I did and it was amazing. Beautiful, really. (cliche, I know, but true) It honestly made me cry to think that that will be me in just weeks. The blood, the gore, the messy placenta, everything just seemed so natural. I'm still in disbelieve that my little body can stretch to those dimensions, which still doesn't seem quite big enough for a baby to fit through, but I've now seen it happen and know that it is not only possible but natural.

Childbirth Preparation Classes

We started our Childbirth Prep classes last night. It was good. Our instructor is actually the nurse that attended to me after my car accident, so we were happy about that. There are only two other couples in the class, both are a few weeks behind me and having boys. Lots of boys this year! It was nice to know that they are both planning on epidurals as well. It's hard to talk to some ladies about pregnancy, childbirth and raising a child because some of them are so adamant that there is only one way to do it, and that is their way, usually all natural, from natural childbirth, to exclusive breastfeeding on demand, to not circumcizing, to cloth diapers and organic foods and stay-at-home moms. Well, my way is somewhere in the middle, with an epidural, breastfeeding and pumping, circumcision, disposable diapers, working mom. And it's what's best for me and my boy.

Anyways, in class last night, we talked about the symptoms of pregnancy, which was kind of nice for me, knowing that Royce was hearing it from someone other than me, especially an expert. It's normal to be have a sore back, pee often, have swollen feet, be unable to sleep or sit still, and be fatigued all the time. I'm not just 'pretending' to be tired. Royce even got to wear the belly! I didn't get a picture, dangit, but he was the only fella who volunteered to do it. The other guys will have to at some point, but they just weren't man enough last night. We also learned about signs of pre-term labor and labor and/or distress. Then we did some floor exercises that might help with some of the discomfort we are experiencing and did a relaxation technique and talked about having music in the delivery room. We have 3 more weeks of class and I think they will be fun and informative.