I was not so sure what to expect because we really never got a breakdown when we signed up. Was this a Lamaze class? Would we be role playing? Watching videos? Chanting? Hell if we knew. So we went in with very little expectation and all kinds of questions.
I will admit, I have recently been spending more time reading and thinking about my perception of the actual birth and the way in which different people approach the birthing experience. From previous entries, you may know that I was never too thrilled with the whole OBGYN doctor model and opted to go the route of a midwife for my primary care. I did not like being treated like a patient. So my perspective of this class is a bit jaded with my new thoughts about medicine and being pregnant.
Our "teacher" was really more like what I would consider a "grandma". She was an older nurse practitioner who told us stories about what birthing was like when she delivered (25 years ago) and did not have much knowledge about how things have changed. I immediately decided that this woman did not have my vote of confidence when she declared that the active labor stage is otherwise known as "1 hour of hell." Thanks, lady. . . that's what I want to hear! Her perspective of cesarean was "frightening" and should be avoided at all costs. She quickly went through some breathing exercises with a "good luck" attitude and did nothing to engage discussion among the couples that were in the class.
I found the day to be full of contradictions. The room was set up in rows of chairs: a listen to the expert perspective. Yet the expert was outdated. Drawing upon her experiences "back in the day", she gave me little comfort and increased my anxiety. The videos we saw that showed three different birth experiences were from the 1980s (based on hair and clothing choices). There was very little conversation and/or discussion and asking us what our feelings and perceptions of birth and baby was.
The next contradiction was what was served for lunch: pizza and caffeinated soda. Hello? Was this a college student gathering or a bunch of pregnant women who are encouraged to make smart eating choices? How was this supposed to help me eat smart? And caffeine and diet soda? Please? I know I down a diet coke in secret every now and then, but to do it in front of other pregnant ladies and a nurse practitioner? Have a little more common sense, oh grandma trainer. Where are the juices?
While the videos and the information presented was helpful, I found the day to be a missed opportunity that could have really assisted Rich and I prepare for our date with destiny. At the very least, it got me thinking about the birthing experience and what Rich and I will need to do on our own to prepare.
Of special note were:
- The diagram of what 10 centimeters dilation actually looks like. Shit. . . . how am I supposed to expand that much?! That's the size of our coffee saucers we got with our wedding china!
- How tearful I became during the videos that showed the birth. They were tears of joy and beauty and a little bit of fear of the unknown. Am I going to be this emotional when it is our turn?
- How confident Rich is in our ability to deliver as a couple. "We are a great team and we can do anything we put our minds to." He says. Thanks for being my rock, Rich.
- I know that I will want to use the jacuzzi tub in the hospital during contractions. I miss having regular baths (as our house has an old tub that not that appealing for bubble baths). At least I can milk a jacuzzi bath experience out of the whole ordeal.
- The best part of the day was at the end when Rich and I were driving home and debriefed the experience together. We laughed and laughed. I had not laughed that hard in a long, long time. I think the baby senses that we are going to make this experience as fun and as memorable as possible. Laughter after all is the best medicine.
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