Richard and I had our first birthing class Tuesday night. We were both pretty excited and unsure of what to expect. The start of these classes feels like it brings us one step closer to bringing Lil Pea home with us. Plus, we are both avid learners. We were looking forward to being taught anything that might help us feel more relaxed (especially for me) and understand the process (particularly for him). Richard donned his “New Dad – March 2012” shirt, we packed up our pillows and blanket, and off we went.
(On a side note, my mother-in-law had given me a few bucks to get a couple of the novelty maternity t-shirts I’d found online. I was super excited and got two for myself and the New Dad shirt for Richard. I was thoroughly disappointed to find that the two I ordered for myself didn’t fit – like at all. It looked like it was made for an overweight munchkin. They didn’t even come down far enough to hit my belly button. For reals!?!? Isn’t this supposed to be a MATERNITY top??? I was super disappointed and will be returning them pronto. Ah well… Richard got a cute shirt out of the deal – and his fits fine, the punk. Lol!)
We chatted on our way down to Winchester about what the classes might be like and wondered if we’d meet any cool couples. We were the first to arrive since I wanted to leave a few minutes early as we weren’t 100% sure where we were going. The teacher of the class seemed cheerful and fairly laid back. She has two kids of her own and worked as a doula for a while. We chatted for a few minutes while the class trickled in. There are only four other couples in our class and they all seemed to be about in the same age group. No one was particularly older or younger than us.
She had us do a fun little ice breaker and we discovered that two couples are having boys and the other two are intentional surprises. All of us are first timers. None of the Dads-to-be have ever changed a diaper or held an infant. I must say that I am still a little amazed at the lack of excitement from the other parents… Perhaps it’s just really naïve of me to think that baby equals excitement for all. Or maybe Richard and I are just a little over the top (not a far stretch, lol), thus skewing my perspective. Either way, I was hoping for a little more cheerfulness from the other couples.
Nonetheless, it was a good class. She started out going over some of the basics, baby’s positioning, and how our anatomy changes. We did learn a few things we didn’t already know from reading our books. I will admit there is a big difference in KNOWING that a woman’s body can dilate to 10 centimeters and actually SEEING what 10 centimeters looks like… Yikes! We did a few easy breathing techniques and she gave us homework to do before next week’s class. We’ll get to tour the new Labor and Delivery area later in the classes, which we’re really excited about. I didn’t even know it was new. But apparently they’re doing an Open House this weekend. Richard and I will wait for the tour with the class since he’s got to work on Saturday (and it’s my Baby Shower!!!!!).
So next week’s class we are going to get into labor and learn some more breathing and relaxation techniques. I’m looking forward to it, especially since we’re planning on doing some baby shopping before class!
We’re at 30 weeks as of yesterday. I’m feeling fantastic! I’ve had a fair amount of energy (though nothing like my pre-pregnancy self). I’ve still been having a lot of weird dreams. There have been a few nights of heartburn, but nothing too horrendous. My hips and shoulders are sore most of the time, but I think that has to do with sleeping on my side almost exclusively. All in all, I still love this whole pregnancy experience!
Lil Pea is a wiggle worm and I feel her moving all the time. Yesterday, she was going pretty much non-stop. I love watching my belly move as she flips around in there. And, sappy as it may be, I love it when we go to bed at night and Richard will talk to her and “play” with her (by tapping his fingers against my belly where she kicks – sometimes she even kicks back at him). And I’m totally overwhelmed by how lucky I am and how much I love him and can’t wait to meet her. It’s amazing and a little surreal. It’s just so hard to articulate how my feelings toward Richard have changed and grown in response to Lil Pea. I totally “get it” now, though… I understand why it’s “supposed” to be this way. I am ever grateful that certain events in my life didn’t come to pass… this is the way it was always meant to be.
I am so in love with our little budding family!!
