Classes

So, yesterday was our first prenatal class. I am so glad we are going to these. We are only going on two days as it's difficult to predict evenings and if Chuck will be able to go due to harvesting season and all. Anyway, they are from 9am-3:30pm... and while we thought that would be a long day, it actually went really quick.

My favorite part of the class was going on the hospital tour. I plan to deliver at the local hospital, and I have to say the facilities there are really nice! You can have your own room, in each room is a mini fridge for snacks and juice you bring (or the extra juices they bring you for meals). There is a chair there that folds into a cot for your partner to get some rest too. Each room has it's own large shower, and there is a special whirlpool tub room you can choose to labor in if you wish. The colors on the walls are soothing and not "hospital" like to me. The baby can stay in the room with you. Everything reminds me so much more of a hotel with a hospital bed instead of a hospital room. And apparently they have most everything there for you already... diapers, wipes, certain things for the mother, as many pillows as you wish to use, hot blankets (now I'm thinking of those old movies... smile)... it seems quite nice. Not what I was expecting. There is even an area you can go to for a change in scenery where your partner can make themselves toast or something, there's a TV, large windows, and so on. The fact that you can choose to walk around during labor if you wish is a relief. I found walking helped immensely with speeding up the "contractions" I had during my miscarriage... and making them more bearable. I'm very impressed.

I wasn't sure I'd like watching the birth stories... we saw three. I had to turn away for some parts as I'm squeamish around blood, but it wasn't bad at all. Chuck was glad they showed them as it helped him visualize what he should do to help, what he could do to help. I cried at the end of each one... when they got to hold their baby. I think I'm not as scared anymore... I still have some resistance to the idea of the labor itself, but this time I can hold my baby when it's over. It will all be worth it this time. And God will be there with me the whole time too... now I'm crying again.

The class was great as it helped me with so many of the things I was unsure of. I've now finished my birth plan. I don't plan on using any drugs unless necessary... sounds weird I know... especially for someone who is afraid of pain. However, I feel like it is necessary for me to feel the contractions... I don't know why. That... and needles still scare me...

Of course, the birth may not go exactly according to "plan", but I'm OK with that.

I still can't believe how close we are... and how much I still have left to do! I'm getting farther on the baby room... we got the stuff we need for the basics for putting up the closet, and the ceiling casings are now up (Dad came over to help me with that yesterday evening). We are hoping to get a car seat tomorrow... and I'm thinking I'll pack a backpack for now until I find the diaper bag I want (I already made a list of things to pack). I'm hearing about so many women who are going into labour at 36 or 37 weeks... and I'm 35! I still feel like I won't deliver till 41 weeks... but we'll see. I still have many things left to check off my to-do list.

Thanks for reading this... lengthy post. I will say that everything is going really well. The baby moves... a lot, I don't have many "symptoms" except for heartburn which I remedy by drinking a little milk, and having some difficulty sleeping. I'm finally seeming to gain 1lb a week... which is good. I've gained a total of 15 lbs as of last week Wednesday. Baby is "small", but considered real healthy and all developmental stages are on track according to the last ultrasound 3 weeks ago. And... I know baby is healthy. I can SEE it when he/she decides to kick! There are still many people who think this is a boy. I'd say you have a 50/50 chance of being right. I've got 100% chance of being correct... I'm having a BABY! (smile) It's cute to see what people think. Even Chuck thinks it's a boy. Me... I'm not telling... (wink)