In the second class on June 26th, we watched a few vaginal birth videos and talked about early labor and relaxation techniques. We practiced a few of them and then did a really interesting exercise. The women had to sit with ice cubes in each hand for 1 minute. It seemed really easy and silly in theory, but was actually a bit uncomfortable and the minute felt a little long. Then we had to hold the ice cubes for 5 minutes, but this time we were allowed to use the relaxation techniques we had learned. I already knew my favorite way of dealing with pain is distractions, but this just confirmed it. Nic and I talked, joked and laughed the entire time and the 5 minutes flew by. I'm sure the other couples practicing visualization and massage were not impressed with our giggling, but it sure was fun for us.
In the third class on July 3rd, we talked about active labor, transition, pushing, and epidurals. We watched a really easy picture perfect birth video. The whole thing was textbook and the lady delivered this adorable 6 pound baby that was amazing at breast feeding right off the bat. It was actually kind of annoying how perfect everything went.
In the 4th class on July 10th, we talked about all the things that could go wrong with births and c-sections. We watched a c-section video, which was pretty interesting. There was the strangest couple in class that night! The husband asked a question almost every 5 minutes and most of them had nothing to do with what we were talking about. First he asked what we were all doing to get our daily nutritional intake. He asked if we all shop at Whole Foods and if we drink naked juice. Most of us just stared at him blankly and said we take our pre-natal vitamins and try to eat a balanced diet. Then he asked if he and his wife could still fly (she is 36 weeks pregnant) because apparently everyone in his family is born in Florida. He also blurted out that we should all put a pack of water in our car just in case something happens (we are assuming he was referring to the discussion earlier in the class about quick births that happen at home or in the car), then proceeded to tell us that they live 5 minutes from the hospital. He also said he wants his wife to have a c-section because it seems way easier right after the teacher spent 20 minutes explaining that c-sections are obviously necessary in certain situations, but it is still a major surgery and usually entails a longer recovery. The guy literally had something to say about everything. It was as if he thought he and the teacher were having a one on one discussion. I thought Nic was going to kill the guy by the time the class ended, but we have been laughing about it ever since so we obviously found it somewhat entertaining. At the end of the class, the husband's learned how to change diapers and swaddle. We held baby dolls the entire class as practice and then used the dolls to practice on. Nic was an amazing swaddler, so I think that will be one of his jobs once our little man arrives!!
So I have now been on bed rest for a month. The first few days of bed rest I was feeling extremely stressed out and guilty that I wasn't at work. Once I realized I didn't have a choice in the matter I enjoyed it a lot more. I caught up on tv shows and read baby books that I hadn't had time to read before because of our busy schedule. It actually felt good to relax a little. I have to admit though, the construction sort of put a damper in the relaxing aspect of bed rest. I was stuck in bed all day listening to pounding right outside my window while the whole house shook. I also started to stress about the fact that we were completely unprepared for our little man's arrival. While Susan was here, she, my mom and Nic helped get a few of the essentials ready. Once we had the bare necessities taken care of I felt a lot better. I also started working from home and spending hours on-line researching all the things we needed for our house. We had to order a new microwave, a new sink, a hood, backsplash tiles, granite, lighting, flooring, etc. So hours of my days (as well as hours of Nic's days) have been spent researching. In fact, in the last couple of weeks, I have barely found time to watch a show or two let alone read a book because Nic and I have been so busy making decisions for our remodel project. I always laugh when people feel bad for me and think I must be bored out of my mind on bed rest. Actually, I have been far from bored. In fact, I think I could use a little boredom. Waking up and not having anything to do for just one day actually sounds really enjoyable, but I highly doubt it will happen before the baby arrives and it definitely won't happen once he is here, so I guess I will have to wait and experience boredom someday when I'm old and retired. Until then, it's back to work.
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