Thursday, June 1, 2006

Having a Baby 101

When I graduated from EKU I thought I was finished taking classes. I was wrong. I am now enrolled in a class which I'll never get college credit for--Childbirth Education. We're going this Monday to a four hour long class. The letter I got says to bring two pillows. Is this because I'm going to get to take a nap? Yes, I'm kidding. I know they're for Geron to fall on when he passes out from the delivery videos. Kidding again, people. I don't even know if there's going to be a video. I've seen it enough times in high school, though, so I don't really need to see one again.

I'm actually looking forward to this class since I've been feeling a bit anxious about delivery procedures and such. Granted, many of you have offered me words of wisdom and prayers on my behalf that have really given me a peace about what's coming. Thank you for that. I'm sure there are things I haven't even thought about yet that I will learn in this class. I hope they will give me some hand outs or something so that I can keep what I''ve learned afresh as the delivery date approaches. From what I understand, this class will encompass: stages of labor, relaxation and labor support techniques, hospital procedures, pain management options, after birth and home care for mom and in-hospital care for newborns. Can any of you think of something else I might want to learn about? I know breast feeding isn't included here, but they have a class in that, too.

We're going to go on a tour of the hospital soon, too. I have heard that its like staying in a hotel suite. Everything happens in your own room--delivery and all. Baby can even stay with us the whole time, if we want. But they have a holding nursery if we need some rest. Everyone has their own private room with an entertainment center and pull out couch for the hubby---some have taken their xboxes to play while the wife is in labor. We'll see how long Geron gets away with this. Actually, for those of you who think I'm serious, I KNOW Geron will be very good support for me in the whole delivery process. I must brag that I DO have a sensitive husband who knows whats really important. No doubt he will win an emmy for his excellent performance. (Geron, winning an emmy is a figure of speech here. So help me if you try to record anything in this room you will be a gonner!) Yeah, if the Prossers come down while we're still at the hospital, ProBro productions might play a few rounds of HALO 2. That won't bother me. Just as long as Geron and Dr don't sit down and start playing a round while the baby is making her way out.

Enough rambling. I'll let you know how the class goes.

13 comments:

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

I don't remember much about my childbirth class. I do know that the breathing and relaxation techniques they taught were very helpful. And the video freaked me out a little, as it was MUCH more graphic than the ones we saw in high school - Geron may need to take a valium both before the start of class, and before the delivery! But I'm sure you'll be great. It was amazing to me that, once things got really going in childbirth, even though I had never done it before, my body knew what to do. It's definitely a wondrous experience!

Tooz said...

I agree with Jennifer. The body really pretty much takes over, if you just relax and let it, and the relaxation techniques are helpful. I just wish you were going to a series of classes and not one marathon superclass. Back in the olden days, we went one night a week for several weeks and really got a chance to get that stuff to sink in. Also, we got a chance to talk to other folks who were in the same shoes as we were. That was fun. Good luck. Love you.

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

No one has said anything about it, but I wanted to make something clear about my first comment: I didn't mean to insult Geron. After the valium joke, I meant to write "But I'm sure you'll both be great". But my thoughts got ahead of my fingers and the word BOTH got left out. I didn't mean to imply he would be anything less than supportive, as from my own observations, he is a very supportive husband. Sorry, Geron, if any offense was taken, as none was intended.

Geron Brown said...

When Lydia said she had a sensitive husband, that's not what she meant jen. :)

besides i take every comment with a grain of salt considering how most comments are from meadors type people.

Suze said...

our childbirth class gave us the giggles, i'm sorry to say. we had sort of a fruity teacher who led us through visualization exercises about being on the beach during a rainstorm. (yeah, i know. i don't know how it's relevant to labor, either.)

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

1. I'm glad to a) see that Geron is still in the land of the living, and b)read that he took no offense at my comment.

2. I'm honored to be called a "Meadors type person"

3. I'm also happy to have some testosterone back in our midst, as I feared our in-depth childbirth discussions had chased all the men-folk away. LOL

4. And Suze, maybe I'm a fruity-type person as well as a meadors type person (or are they the same thing?), but I can see how the ocean in a rainstorm kind of does relate to childbirth. The contractions come on in waves, and the really strong ones could be associated with thunder or even lightning. And while the rainstorm is raging, it's often frightening and turbulent; but when it's over there is peace, calm and something beautiful to look at! Okay, obviously I was just channelling my inner hippie! LOL

Lydia said...

all of you need to refrain from channeling anything on my website, please. THank you very much. And, I'm sure if anyone passes out in our class from the graphic video that may or may not be shown, it will be myself. So, one of my pillows will probably be my body pillow. HA!

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Good idea!

Tooz said...

Last time the Meadors were involved with channeling, it was Ann, interpretting for a woman who was channeling for a goat.

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Let me guess, it said
"Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Okay, Lydia just clued me in that Tooz was serious, and the circumstances behind all that. I'm SOOOOO SORRRRRRRRRRRY! I thought you guys were just being silly. If I had known I never would have said that. I thought maybe it was like those silly "pet psychics" or something like that. I hope I didn't offend anyone, or make them think I'm cruel and heartless (because despite what Ann and Lydia have told you, I'm not! Just kidding, Lydia would never say that about me. LOL. Again, just kidding, neither one would ever say that about me - I hope).

Love, hugs and kisses to all.....

Lydia said...

no, Jenn, mom wasn't being serious. Its supposed to be a joke. Don't worry about it. You haven't offended anyone.