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February 22, 2006

Preparing for "B-Day"

The latest Republican Journal column is online, and it's about the childbirth class experience.

Childbirth seems to be one of those things humans have figured out pretty well. Women have been giving birth to children for millions of years, and judging by the current population of the planet, people all around the world have no trouble delivering children and starting families. It's a relatively straightforward process.

So why do we in the United States insist on taking classes dedicated to learning about it?

My wife and I are expecting our first child in early April. These last few weeks before her due date have been something of a blur as we prepare for the arrival of the little guy - or girl. We've decided to keep that part a surprise, but that hasn't stopped the guessing. Everyone seems to have their own theory, based on the size and shape of my wife's abdomen. There's an odd and incomprehensible science to their proclamations. They'll stare at her for a few seconds, and then say something like “You're carrying in the front. It's a boy,” or “You're all belly. It's a girl,” or “When I sacrificed a goat and sprinkled its blood on the brow of a shaman this morning, it showed me the baby was a boy.” Stuff like that.

We attended the classes over a single weekend. The hospital now offers them in two five-hour sessions. It was convenient, so we went with that option. The woman teaching the class was pleasant, the atmosphere was relaxed and we were in a room of friendly, funny people.

It was horrifying.

Read the whole thing.

Posted by Peter at 07:13 PM | Comments (0)

Thirty-Four Weeks

Posted by Peter at 07:12 PM | Comments (1)

February 20, 2006

Thirty Four Weeks and Counting...

Well, we're really in the home stretch now...and I do mean "stretch" :) of my belly that is. I now have a numb strip where my ribs meet my stomach as baby tests the perimeter of his confines :) Another new experience...my belly now touches my thighs when I sit down. I'm still measuring a little ahead in my appointments which are now 2 weeks apart, so Peter and I are a bit curious to see whether our due date will change. So time to get that closet done!! tee hee

Speaking of that wonderful man--he stole us away to the Samoset resort in Rockland this weekend. Had a great time being totally lazy except for a very frigid walk along the ocean shore. Our last weekend away before baby and a nice time to reconnect but also look forward to our future.

Peter also took a new photo of the eight-month belly over the weekend which he should be posting tonight.

Had a great first baby shower a few weekends ago hosted by my very special mom-in-law. Got a lot of sweet things, and the baby's room is beginning to look like it can house a baby :)
I've been making preparations at work for my coming leave and getting patients transferred.

Well, I think that's everything in my fuzzy "baby brain" :) I'm off to bed. Picture pending...

love to all!!

Posted by Shannon at 09:11 PM | Comments (0)

February 06, 2006

Grab a Rosary, the Transition's Starting!

My wife and I attended childbirth classes this weekend. The hospital now offers them via two five-hour sessions. It was convenient, so we went with that option. The woman teaching the class was pleasant, the atmosphere was relaxed and we were in a room of friendly, funny people.

Overall, it was a good class. And yet so horrifying.

As a sort of shock therapy for parents-to-be, they show you a film of a labor and delivery. Actually, over the weekend, they show you a few films. The first was a normal labor and delivery and showed a few women going through the experience. As the women on-screen worked to bring a new life into the world, the women in the room were all staring at the screen, enraptured by the moment.

The guys? We were all giving one another nervous glances, wondering what on earth we had gotten ourselves into. A good portion of the class was spent showing the wives how to breathe and focus to minimize the amount of pain that childbirth would bring.

There were lots of instructions for the guys - give lots of encouraging words, back rubs and offers of support. Most importantly, we were told, do not focus on the heartbeat/contraction monitor. The focus should be on the wife, who does not want to hear about what's going to happen.

One guy raised his hand. "So, does this mean we shouldn't say 'holy sh** honey! Here comes a good one?'" We were assured that no matter how tempting it is to do so, warnings would not be welcomed. Anticipation does does heighten the experience, it seems.

We received a nice tour of the labor and delivery room, and even got a chance to hear the cries of a woman in active labor in the room next to the one we were touring. This time, it was the women in the room giving each other uncertain looks.

On the second day, there was another video. This one was just a collection of clips from home movies - all of women in the transitional stage of labor who chose not to use epidural medication. There was a lot of noise in this video, as you can imagine, but my wife came away from it more encouraged than nervous - because the video did show that breathing and focus could get a woman through the experience.

There was one woman on that video, however, who was making some seriously odd noises. These were grab Father Merrin and start chanting 'the power of Christ compels you' noises. That, and the video of a delivery of the 'afterbirth' were the most disturbing aspects to the weekend.

What came through more than anything, though, was how great an equalizer childbirth really is. There were people in that room who were from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, yet we were all brought together by the life change we were all about to undergo.

Now I've got to go start thinking about what to pack in the labor and delivery bag...

Posted by Peter at 09:54 PM | Comments (0)

childbirth class...mommy's perspective

So Peter and I attended marathon childbirth classes this weekend, Saturday and Sunday 12 to 5. This made for some long days but worked really well for our busy schedules. As a nurse I was going into it with the medical knowledge of the process but it's different when your body's going to be going through that process very soon :) We spent a lot of time talking about techniques to help with pain and ways that Peter can help. I think he found it helpful but it also makes him nervous to think about me being uncomfortable and not able to take that away. I came away feeling positive about my ability to have a good experience but also reminding myself that I need to put it in God's hands and let go of my expectations of myself, putting Him in control of the process. Besides, He's known this kid since before the beginning of time and can help us bring the little one safely into the world.

Stay tuned for Peter's side of the weekend to be posted soon. Videos shown were a bit horrifying to the men in the room, but other couples had a great sense of humor that helped to ease the nerves. And despite what Peter may share, I know he'll be an awesome coach :)

Posted by Shannon at 09:27 PM | Comments (0)