Heartfealt Thank You!
Tonite was our final Bradley Method child birth class. We have been going to these classes for the past 12 weeks and have got to know the other two couples and our mentor quite well. I will definately miss going every Monday nite, now that it's over. On the good side of that, it means that we are now prepared and time is getting close.
Continue reading Heartfealt Thank You!
I must admit, at first, I was a bit skeptical of everything, not just the "Natural childbirth" part. It's not what I grew up knowing. I grew up thinking Doctors know best, Lamaze was the only child birth method, and things were just going to happen the way they do on TV. Now I feel much better knowing that we have the power and knowledge to make those decisions for ourselves and this birth will turn out the way we want it to. Regardless of what ends up happening, we will be making informed decisions about the wellfare of both Karen and our child.
Looking back, it just amazes me how much we actually learned over the course of 12 weeks. I feel really bad for the people whom either don't take any class, or just take the one day, cram course offered by the hospital. There is just too much to learn, and the consequences are just too great to either make decisions uninformed, or just not make them for yourself. So far, that has got to be the best thing we have done in her pregenancy by far.
One of the couples had their baby early and came back tonite to share their experience with the two remaining couples. Just hearing them describe everything and knowing that they also went to the same hospital eases my mind. I know now that the hospital is definately open to the methods we want to use, and everything can go the way we want it to. That is now 2 couples that we know that have had their kid there, and both have shared the same outcome. It was also tough seeing them with their baby. I know now, that it could be any day, and that is really hard on me. I'm not a patient person, especially when I know the goal is near. I've been really excited throughout the whole pregenancy, but now I can hardly contain it. I just can't wait to hold my child for the first time and know that we both created that life and did everythign we could to make it's entry the best possible.
Thank you Rhonda for everything you have done for us, for the knowledge you have given us, and for the empowerment you have bestowed upon us. We owe you a great debt of gratitude!
Circumcision
Monday night, at our Bradley Method classes, we discussed circumcision and watched a video of one being done. Not that either of us were considering having it done if we have a boy, but now there is absolutely no doubt in our minds as to whether or not to do it. That has to be the single most horrifying thing you can do to a 1 day old baby! Just the images of them clamping the foreskin and the child's blood curdling scream made me dizzy, to the point that I had to put my head between my knees for a long time. I could not watch it. I think they should make all parents who choose to have that procedure done watch that video. That would seriously cut down on the number of circumcisions performed.
Naive or Informed?
Last night we had our third Bradley Method childbirth class and it was all about the first stage of labor and what most hospitals will try to do in the way of using drugs to "facilitate" labor. Not that I wasn't happy with our decision to pursue the Bradley Method before, but after hearing what they will suggest be done to uninformed parents to be, I'm really glad we decided to go the education route. That is definitely one part of many that really drew me to this, along with the acknowledgment that I am as much involved in the delivery and well being of mom and baby alike as the mother.
Continue reading Naive or Informed?
Sometimes though, I must wonder if I really want to know all that we are being told. It's almost scary what really goes on and the effects that those decisions have on all aspects of life. But I am glad that we decided to do this. I would much rather be informed and be able to make logical decisions for ourselves than be coerced into something that we may regret later.
first class
So we had our first birth class this evening. There are only 2 other couples in the class with us. I think it will be a very good learning experience for both of us. We have homework already but its not just for me this time.....Doug has his own things he has to do this week and we have to tell Rhonda how the other one does with their assignments.
Bradley Method Classes to Begin
Upon the recomendation of John and Claire, Karen and I have decided to take child birth classes centered around the Bradley Method. What attracts us to this method over the typical Lamaze classes, is that they seem to center on education, and the "what to expect" aspect, rather than just the breathing and relaxing through labor. (At least from what I understand about Lamaze). I have also heard that the Bradley Method is very much centered around the parents as a couple, and involves the father, like I feel he should be. I have attended every single one of Karen's Dr. Appointments to date, and enjoy being involved in the whole process. Heck, I'd even carry the baby for a while if I could :).
Continue reading Bradley Method Classes to Begin
We are going to attend classes with the same teacher that John and Claire used, just a few miles up the road from our house in fact. Classes start on Monday, March 29th, and run for a total of 12 sessions, ending either June 7 or 14, depending on what we decide to do about Memorial Day. When I talked to Rhonda, she informed me that we would be taking the class with one other couple, but that number could grow between now and then.
I'm excited to be nearing the end and seeing what all of this interesting stuff will produce. Only 104 days left until her due date on July 2. (Not that I'm counting).