Birthing Class

So, last night was the first of two birthing classes Terry and I are signed up for. It was quite an experience!

We learned a lot about the stages of labor, and approximately how long each lasts. We learned about how to watch for signs of early labor, and how to tell the difference between braxton-hicks contractions and the real thing.

Then, we, of course, watched THE video. It wasn't so bad, actually. But, I did notice several men get up and head for the restrooms right before the predictable money shot.

Then came the odd part. We had to get these mats from a closet and spread out across the room. We'd been told to bring two pillows with us. The instructor told us we were going to practice relaxing and breathing through contractions. Terry and I were the only ones, as far as we could tell, who looked worried.

She dimmed the lights, turned on some classical music, and told all of the husbands to massage us until we were relaxed. At first, I just sat rigidly and let Terry do my shoulders, (He kept saying, "I can't believe I'm paying to give you a massage!") but as the rest of the women took full advantage of their own massages, I got comfortable, too, eventually lying down on my own mat, just like many of the other full-bellied ladies. Once we were relaxed, she had us lie in laboring positions and practice two different kinds of breathing, while focusing on a visual aid. Both of these techniques are supposed to ease the pain of contractions.

I felt uncomfortable doing this, too. And barely paid any attention to the breathing, until I saw the instructor give me a scrutinizing look. Then, out of sheer terror that she'd call me out in front of everyone, I actually focused on my little rock, and practiced breathing. Once we had our breathing down, our husbands were instructed to pinch us, either in the fleshy part between our thumb and forefinger, or under our arms, to simulate the pain of a contraction. So, they pinched, and we breathed. It was all very odd!

After learning more about the laboring and birthing process, like how an episiotomy (where they cut your perineum to allow more room for the baby to exit) really won't hurt because the perineum will already be so numb from the baby's head pushing against it, (She beat her fist against her other hand several times to demonstrate this) and how at some point in the last month I will almost assuredly wet myself, we were off for a hospital tour.

This was the part I benefited from the most. They showed us which doors to come in, which elevators to take, and then we got to see an LDR (labor, delivery, and recovery room). Terry and I were very happy to see that the rooms came equipped with dvd players. FRIENDS, anyone?

We also saw the nursery and the precious infants. When Terry and I had the opportunity to scoot up to the window and check the babes out ourselves, he said "He's so small," and the exact moment that I said, "He's so big!" Of course, I was thinking more about him living in me (not to mention coming out of me)!

All in all, it was an unusual experience, but a good one, I suppose. I have a better understanding of what the hospital procedures will be like. And that was the part I was worried most about. Honestly, I'm just not that worried about the labor part.

Either, I have a tremendous amount of faith in my visual aid and fancy breathing, or else, I'm just in denial.