Birth and Beginnings week 4

So this week was infant/baby care. We got to learn all about swaddling and bathing, diapering and feeding (breast and formula), baby proofing and safety, de-boogering and burping. Lots of fun and information. The way we introduced each new topic was by passing out cards with a scenario on it (i.e. "feeding baby" or "taking baby's temperature") and having the daddies choose from a variety of baby products laid out on a table that fit with their given topics. Jordan had "bathing your baby" and "childproofing for baby". He did very well with the child-proofing, very thorough. He also did well the bathing; he got the washcloth, towel, new outfit and diaper, baby soap, and a tiny little washbasin (as opposed to the huge baby bathtub thing, sitting right in front of us...). I'm talking LITTLE, like a 12 x 12 plastic bin. I took one look at that and died laughing. I asked if he was planning on washing the baby in that considering that she's probably been too big for that since, what, week 30? So as we sat through class waiting on Jordan's turn to share what supplies he got for his scenario, I have to look at this teeny tiny bin and picture someone trying to wash a baby in it. I was giggling the whole time!!


I have to say, though, that I am very glad that the daddies had to display their baby care knowledge (or in more cases than not, their lack of baby care knowledge) in front of the whole class instead of us mommies. I for one do not know much more about babies than Jordan does, and it would be very embarrassing for me (the mommy) to have to admit that I have no clue what to do when. It seems to be much more acceptable for the daddies to be clueless, than the mommies (although we are BOTH first time parents here! Just because I'm carrying the baby doesn't mean that I am also carrying all of this knowledge about babies!!) I can see myself up there displaying some off-the-wall item that seemed to be pertinent to whatever situation I was supposed to be describing and everyone laughing because I have a breast pump that I'm trying to use as a nasal aspirator. Yes, that is a bit extreme (I do know the difference between the two!) but that's how I feel at times. I know this class is supposed to me making me feel better and more prepared for baby, but, as I whispered to Jordan in class last week, I am only feeling more and more inadequate as a mother. Instead of thinking that I am learning all of these ways to care for baby, I feel like someone is just pointing a huge finger at me, telling me that I don't already know all of it. And this class isn't like some all-inclusive, learn-everything-you-need-to-know-about-infant-care class. We only touched on the basics. So what do I do when I get home?!? Okay, so can you tell I'm a bit nervous?? I know that everything will be alright and that God has already placed very able hands around to help me, but right now I wish that I had done a lot more babysitting when I was a teenager, so that I would feel more comfortable.

Dear God, PLEASE provide me with the knowledge and patience I need to care for and raise my baby! Amen.

Birth and Beginnings weeks 2 and 3

The past few classes have been quite interesting. Much more so than the first class. We ended up having an absolutely WONDERFUL nurse with 20 years experience as a labor/delivery nurse. (OK, so I just accidentally hit the "Publish Post" button, so for anyone who only saw my 3 sentence post, here is the rest...) This teacher was so much better than the spacey teacher from our first class. Her name was Amanda and she was completely honest with us about the reasons for hospital policies (a lot are completely unnecessary, but must be done for legal reasons) and truths about labor and delivery (yes, it might be scary, but I'd rather know all of the circumstances and be prepared than clueless in the delivery room). She had a great personality and was extremely knowledgeable and open to our questions. Unfortunately we only got Amanda for 2 weeks and next week and the tour we're back with loony lady...

Week 2 was about reviewing the phases of labor, going over massage techniques, pain management techniques and different positions to help move labor along. We had to bring pillows with us (Which I planned to not bring pillows from home, but to buy new pillows before class because I needed some new pillows at home. So we showed up to class with brand new pillows in the plastic wrapping and everything.). At the beginning of class, after introductions, Amanda said we would be learning a few different massage techniques and asked for a "mommy" volunteer. Everyone was quiet as I looked around, thinking, why is no one volunteering, she's going to massage you. Then it dawns on me that I can be the massage demonstratee, so I volunteered. I have to say that Amanda is a very good masseuse and that was a wonderful experience. After she demonstrated the four different techniques the daddies massaged the mommies and then vice versa (so the daddies don't feel left out). This was going to be the highlight of the class for me (because I love massages, but with Jordan, they are few and far between) but at the end of class I had a new favorite moment. After watching some videos, Amanda again asked for a volunteer, this time a daddy (to-be). Before anyone can offer to help she points at Jordan and says "I've already pre-picked you, is that okay?" Since Jordan is a great sport and he couldn't have cared less about be made to volunteer, he walked up to the front of the room. First Amanda had him hold up a poster that showed a profile of the female anatomy, pre-pregnancy, then she gave him one of a very pregnant female anatomy. There, of course, were very obvious differences between the two and she started talking about how a pregnant woman's body changes and goes through A LOT while pregnant. Now to the best part.... She looked at Jordan and asked him if he would like to experience what it might feel like to be pregnant. At this moment I realized what was going to happen and started grinning. Jordan had to model the pregnant belly!!! And not only did he have to model it, he had to sit then stand, bend over and try to tie his shoe, lie down and get comfortable (yeah right) then get right back up to "pee". It was very funny to watch and I am so glad that he had to feel exactly how heavy 35 extra pounds is on your body. Of course, he only had the belly on for 5 minutes so he didn't exactly get the full effect of the back and joint pains that accompany the weight gain. Here's a picture of Jordan and the pregnant belly (it was taken with my cell phone, so it's not the best quality): ***no picture for now, but I'll get it up soon!! :)***



Just to demonstrate the, um..., challenges of having to put two ADHD boys together in one car, I'll tell you about after class. It worked out somehow that between the four of us (LeeAnn, Chuck, Jordan and I) we only had one car to have to drive back to Mocksville. It was a pretty unanimous decision to go by McDonald's for some hot fudge sundaes. I really wasn't feeling too well (i.e. extremely sleepy and uncomfortable, headache and belly ache) but couldn't resist the urge to have some ice cream. These days when I don't feel well I tend to get a bit grumpy (this may be an understatement). So I was definitely grumpy and stuck in a car with two hyper boys. Jordan had the wonderful idea to bring up a story about someone we knew going through a drive-thru in reverse. Chuck was driving and decided that he should see how well he could go through a drive-thru backwards. I was helplessly stuck in the backseat (where I would have had to order) objecting to this as he indeed backs into the drive-thru lane. We got far enough into this process that I was asked what we would like to order from the McDonald's employee. At this point I was very upset (to near tears due to my frustration) and told Chuck that I was getting out of the car and going inside if he didn't move and do it the right way (there were other cars trying to go through the drive-thru and I big truck unloading food in the parking lot very near to where we were and it seemed dangerous to me. I just wasn't in the mood for stupid boy entertainment at the time.) So after I pitched my little tantrum he turned around and went through the right way. Looking back, I probably should have just gone with it (It wasn't my car that he was bound to scrape against the side of the McDonald's building) but it was very big deal to me and I was being very demanding, stubborn, pregnant woman at the time. boys.... and to think these two are going to be daddies very shortly... very scary thought! :)


Week 3 we learned all about epidurals vs natural (no pain medication) techniques and C-sections. Amanda was our teacher this week as well and asked us how many had already made up their minds to have an epidural during labor. I couldn't believe that out of the 9(?) couples I was the only one to raise my hand. I think that there were some liars in there because according to research 85 % of woman have epidurals during labor and delivery and 1 out 0f 9 is certainly no 85%. Of course they could still be undecided or just not planning on having one, but shoot, why not. I don't plan on getting one as soon as I get to the hospital and maybe I'll try the whole natural thing for a little while but if I'm in a lot of pain and feel like I can't handle it, then you better believe I'm going to be begging for an epidural. We had to watch a video on how the epidural is administered and what positions are possible with an epidural to help labor progress. Then we discussed different reasons for having a C-section and that if you have to have one it is not the end of the world. Then came the video on C-sections. Jordan didn't get nearly as worked up with these videos as I thought he would (they are slightly graphic, but still not too bad). Poor Chuck was having a very hard time with them. He couldn't stand to watch lot of the scenes.

After class we were standing around talking and I was very shocked to discover that Jordan actually wants to cut the umbilical cord. I didn't care either way and I really thought he would have been completely grossed out but he says he really wants to. Of course, Chuck told LeeAnn that he could not handle that. I will be surprised if one of them doesn't end up passing out at one point or another during the whole birthing process, but they might surprise me. I think that is everything I was going to write about with the classes (I'm sure I'll think of something I've left out...). More to come for class #4 which happens tomorrow night.

Birth and Beginnings - Week 1

Last night was the first of our Birthing Classes, "Birth and Beginnings", offered by Forsyth Medical Center. I really (and I mean REALLY) didn't want to take a class in the beginning of my pregnancy, hated the thought of it (all the stupid breathing techniques and how epidurals are the from the devil) but it grew on me and by my second trimester I had convinced myself that taking a birthing class was a good idea and that it would be fun. I probably would not have come to this conclusion by myself but my good friend LeeAnn (who is pregnant and due a week after I am) took the initiative that I lack to find the class, schedule and how to sign up for it; all the necessities. We decided to take the same class, which was a relief to Jordan because he would have another guy (Chuck) in the class to goof off with. If you knew them both, then you would know how scary this thought is. They tend to distract each other and get each other in trouble. Putting two boys with ADHD together is always an iffy thing. Also in the class is LeeAnn's Coworker Anna and her husband James, who are very sweet and fun people.

So last night was the first of the 5 week classes. We parked across from the hospital at LeeAnn's work and walked over so that we wouldn't have to pay for parking (we would have been more inclined to pay for parking with the impending rain clouds overhead if we had had some cash, but we didn't...). We got into the room where the class takes place and went over to the information table to take care all of the necessities (sign-in form, name tags, information packets, etc.). I was picking up one of each form and got to the one labeled "Prenatal Yoga." Hmmm.... As you all very well know, I am NOT an exercising girl. My exercise regiment includes walking from my teller window to the bathroom and back again one million times a day. So I quietly put the paper back down on the stack, I mean let's be realistic.

We went over to the tables and sat down and talked until the teacher came into the room. I kept trying to look at her (Jordan's big head was in the way) and when I finally got a good look, I quickly turned away. I was thinking the very worst. See, I know this lady. She is one of my members at work and I was thinking that there is no way I was going to learn anything with her. She is very spacey and I really can't see her in this profession. I looked at LeeAnn with a slightly pathetic face as I explained that I thought I knew the teacher (I probably completely freaked her out about how horrible this class was going to be). But I knew that I had to face the facts, so I slowed turned around to face her again, knowing she would recognize me. This time she spotted me and grinned really big and waved. I feel bad now for thinking such horrible things because she is a really nice lady, but I really didn't think she had the capability to teach a class of any kind.

The class started and teacher lady is really not a bad teacher. Her voice is slightly annoying to me but I was able to overlook that for the most part. We went over the 3 stages of labor, certain breathing techniques, what to remember to tell the doctor if our water breaks, certain hospital procedures (like the fact that if we were to have parked in the hospital parking lot, she could have just stamped our receipt and we wouldn't have had to pay for it...would've been nice to know before we got to the class...), and a lot of stuff that I know I am forgetting (baby brain). Then we watched a video on the three stages of labor which thoroughly scared most of the people in the room (most of all Jordan) even though it was very tame compared to the horrific labor and delivery scenes I was conjuring up in my head. It was still enough to remind why I should be scared of this process. Maybe this class was a bad idea...ignorance is bliss right? I wasn't nearly as scared before the class as I am now, but that could be because I wouldn't let myself think about it. But even now with all of my fretting over giving birth and the horror delivery stories floating around in my head, I can still look at a tiny, little baby and feel peaceful and smile (this is obviously not a screaming, tiny, little baby, because that triggers a whole new round of terrors in my mind.) I just have to remember what this journey will result in and my whole world is fine. I cannot wait to hold this little girl in my arms and sing lullabies to her and stare into her beautiful eyes and hold her tiny little hands and feet.

ANYWAY, the class went well and I'm looking forward to the rest of our meetings, especially class #4 where the partners learn massage techniques!! There were (of course) lots of laughs provided by Chuck and Jordan (whom we definitely had to separate). When we were walking out of the hospital we saw that it was raining a good steady rain. This was not good since our cars were parked several blocks away. So the boys were sent to get the cars in the rain while Anna, LeeAnn and I talked about pregnancy things and maternity clothes. It was a fun night, but a late one. I wish the class was a little eariler but it's only for a few more weeks.

Only 2 more months to go and I can feel her growing bigger inside me by the minute (not literally but it feels that way). I wonder what she will look like, since Jordan and I have such different features. Will she have my nose or his, blue eyes or brown, dark complexion or rosy pale with freckles, blond hair or dark brown or any at all for the first two years. And what about her personality? Will she be a take charge, outgoing, social butterfly or a shy, reserved, blushing little thing? So many questions! And if God allows, very soon (probably much too soon) I will have my answers. Please pray for the health of my little one. I don't have any weird intuitive feelings that anything is wrong with her health, but I think it's normal to worry. How can you not worry over something that you love so much? How can I love someone so much that I haven't even seen yet? As scared as I am of all of the millions of things that are going to happen/change in the next few months, I am way more excited. I just pray that she is healthy.

Lord, Please give us a healthy baby. In Jesus' name, Amen.