Hand Massage to the Rescue!

Last day of birthing classes today (yes, these were short).  We got to watch some pretty graphic natural births.  The first one was so easy that the lady was just "oooh." and done--and there was some seriously graphic ...fluids there.  Ew.  There wasn't much emotion afterwards and the mom was kissing on the dad, not much focus on the baby...which I thought was odd. 
In the second video the lady was in some serious pain and it lasted a good while, but the dad was doing some great things to help:
1. Massage techniques
2. Cold compress on face (which she batted away during one contraction--hilarious--I can see me doing that)
3. Using warm water in the shower
4. Singing "She'll be comin' round the mountain when she comes" to the mom. 
   **** Birth Coaches Everywhere:  Please do not do this unless the mom has requested it or it is a special song to you and your partner. ****
  I would have had to slap this man.

Anyway--the whole class was a great experience, and I feel empowered enough to give natural birth a serious shot.  I feel like we have a great idea of what to expect (although I'm prepared for the unexpected to happen--everyone's different) and I have some really good tools to use to combat pain and distract myself from it.  However--the most important tool I've got is Brian.  Yes, it sounds like I just called him a tool--but I mean that in a great way. 

B is going to be an awesome birth coach--he teared up with me during the second birth video.  When the mom and dad saw that baby they both started crying (the Dad was sobbing) and we were both immediately teary-eyed and both agreed that that'd probably be us.  He's also very flexible with what needs to be done, willing to try many things, isn't a quitter, and keeps me laughing when I need to be and focused and encouraged when that's what I need.  He's going to do an awesome job, and we are both going to be so overwhelmed with love when our little girl comes out that we'll probably be sobbing with joy.  Good thing there will be no cameras--it'll just be Mom, Dad, and Camille...awww.  Maybe one photo (with lots of editing).

We learned about back labor this afternoon and tried out some back massage methods:  they hurt!  Not my thing.  I recommend a hand massage technique referred to as "break the popsicle". 

 You just hold onto the sides of the hand and use your thumbs--start them in the center and slowly press and drag to the outsides of the hand as though you're splitting a pair of popsicles.  LOVE THIS! 

The other technique was a little more complex, but it basically did the same thing--spread the hand (palm side up) while your thumbs massage right around the wrist and inside of the palm.  You have to interlock your pink and ring fingers with their fingers (leaving their middle finger out) and then use your thumbs to massage the palm--hard to explain).  It is amazing how great this feels and how much tension it releases.  I couldn't find pictures, and B's busy so he couldn't demonstrate.

B's got a big job interview tomorrow in another state--we're hoping it works out for him!  Keep him in your thoughts and prayers--safe trip and smooth interview/presentation/interaction!  He's going to be practicing his presentation all night, so I'm going to do some more pregnancy pilates and stretches.  More on that tomorrow (I'll have all day to blog since B will be traveling all day)!