Oh yes--birthing classes! We started today!
I feel way more equipped to birth this little nugget. It was eye-opening. The more I learn the more at peace I feel about labor, and I even get excited about the experience. We are planning to go 100% natural, so we're praying there aren't any complications or challenges that would prevent that from happening.
So far everything is going well. I loved hearing the doctor say, "her little but is up there"--meaning she's head down and hopefully will stay that way.
We practiced breathing techniques, relaxation methods, massages, and positions. I am all about the birthing ball and the big tub (I LOVE water!). We are also thinking of using the birthing bar--which allows you to deliver squatting. Whaaaat? Way cool. The hospital bed does amazing things and goes into tons of positions, so apparently there are lots more options than there used to be. You can even deliver laying on your side--this shocks me more than squatting. Squatting makes sense to me...laying on your side doesn't--anyone want to explain the benefits of that?
What's really helping encourage us with natural birthing is that my sister-in-law has already done it and had a good experience, plus my best friend is going natural in December, and I have another sister-in-law planning to go natural in just about 4 weeks! I feel more motivated to stick with it since there are a bunch of people I know and love sticking with it.
I really want to experience the high of those birth hormones after delivery too!
Today while we were practicing our breathing through a "contraction" and practicing using massage at the same time with our coaches, B was counting for my breathing and massaging my jaw. I had my eyes closed and was focused and relaxed....and then he stuck his thumbs in my nostrils. I laughed so hard that I think I distracted half of the class--what a goober. I don't know if him doing that during an actual contraction will be funny or not, but it was a great distraction, and apparently all of our techniques are just distraction methods. "Smoke and mirrors" to dilute our acknowledgement of the pain. If distractions work, then we're set. He definitely made me laugh at other things when I was focused--I hope that's what I need when it comes!
We're going to start packing up that bag-o-goodies for the labor room soon. Apparently we need to include "5 or 6 pair of socks" incase they get "soiled"....ew. I'll leave the rest of the details to your imagination since you may not want to know.
Yay Pam! I'm super excited to start reading your blog (I just read all your old posts too). As one of your fellow gifted peers I feel you on how different we can be. That's exciting that Central High will have a gifted program now too. Did you know that my husband Erik was in gifted as well? Us weird ones find each other I guess. Can't wait to meet baby Camille :)
ReplyDeleteHaha--you're right--we do find each other! That's so neat that Erik's gifted! Brian's gifted as well. We are hoping Camille comes out as sweet and loving as Addison is!
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