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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.Read the whole thing.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.
Posted by at February 22, 2006 07:13 PM