The Birthing Class

Today Jeff and I attended a one-day birthing class at the hospital that was supposed to prepare us for delivery. Neither one of us was quite sure of what to expect at the class but we thought it would be a good idea to explore the unknown. The class began promptly at 9am. We walked in and there were about 9 other couples in the class. The instructor was bubbly and started us off with the dreaded introductions. She wanted to know our name, due date, biggest fear, what we hope to learn, and best thing about being pregnant. I HATE stuff like this. Not only do I not enjoy speaking in front of strangers but I also don’t like thinking on the fly of what to quickly say so that we can move on from focusing on me.

Honestly speaking it would have gone something like this:

Name: Tera

Due date: 3/20

Biggest fear: Jeff pissing me off in the delivery room

Hoping to learn: The quickest and least painful route of getting this baby out of me

Best thing about being pregnant: Knowing that in approximately 7 weeks 6 days from now that I will no longer be pregnant

Instead it went something like this:

Name: Tera

Due date: 3/20

Biggest fear: Labor

Hoping to learn: What to do during labor

Best thing about being pregnant: Watching her grow

Short and sweet...now let's move on.

After introductions, we watched a video, The Stages of Labor. Where not only did we get to witness several mothers experiencing the pains of labor but we also got to see an up close and personal vaginal birth take place. Something that I NEVER need to witness first hand again and I'm 99.99% sure that Jeff never wants to witness again.

Following the festivities, we got to ‘practice’ contractions with ice cubes. Both Jeff and I got to hold cold ice cubes for 90 seconds while we practiced breathing techniques and alternate ways to channel your energy away from the pain. The instructor called it "Building our Tool Box”. I call it “a little weird”. I’m full on aware that I’m going to be in pain and I’m not certain that smelling lavender or listening to music is going to make any of it go away. Nor do I think I’ll be actually thinking about my tool box when the time comes to have this baby.

The fun continued with us getting into positions while our partners coached us and provided support while we pretended to be in labor. It felt a little silly that I was on all fours pretending to be experiencing back labor while Jeff was next to me massaging my tailbone to alleviate the pressure. Then we got to switch to another position and try another one of her tools and then get into another position and try another one of the tools.


(Here's a visual of us practicing our positions and tools)


Finally it was time for lunch (aka time to ditch this class). The instructors sent us on for an hour break and let us know that we would be practicing some more of the tools after lunch. We’d also be discussing options for pain medication (ie epidural), c-sections, and writing an effective birth plan. All of which I already have answers to without sitting through 4 more hours of this class.

Epidural…yes please, as soon as I arrive.

C-section…if the doctor thinks it’s necessary.

Birth plan…pack my bag, bring the car seat, go to hospital.

On our way out to lunch, Jeff asked me if I wanted a ‘madoula’ thingy (one of the expectant moms in the class didn’t bring her husband but brought her doula instead). I explained to him that she was not a madoula but a doula and that he would do just fine.

We were back home by 1:30pm, just in time for Jeff to watch the Huskies beat UCLA and for me to take a little nap.

I’m SO not looking forward to this labor thing.

So long 30 Weeks....

...hello 31!

I’m approaching 31 weeks of being pregnant and can not wait for her to be here. Jeff and I finally got our car seat, bed, and stroller which I’m anxiously awaiting for him to put together. Our condo is pretty small so he wants to wait until the last possible second to start cluttering the place up but I say enough already I want to see what we got!

Things are still going pretty strong. I’ve noticed that I get very tired from normal activities like cleaning, cooking, and working out. I’ve also noticed that I’m definitely not as graceful as I once was but then again, I was never really all that graceful. :)

I’m planning on continuing to go into the office until the first week of March and then I’m going to start working from home until the baby arrives (due 3/20). I’m working on my transition plan for work while I am out for 12-15 weeks and it’s making me a little nervous thinking about how much my life is about to change.

I hope everyone is enjoying 2009!