Lamaze & hospital tour

Steven excited about his new bundle of joy

Saturday we had our all day Lamaze class. It was a long day (all days are long now after sleepless nights it seems). It was a full class and not much wiggle room in our uncomfortable chairs, but at least they kept the thermostat set for all the mommies and not the daddies. Steven was about to freeze to death, and I was so comfortable! I pulled a ligament this week, so moving for the various labor positions wasn't easy, but Steven and I found a few that we think will work for us. Though I guess we never really will know until the day comes.

We learned a few breathing techniques to use during early and active stages of labor. We also tried using imaging and relaxation techniques. I'm not sure the relaxation technique demonstrated will work for me, but I think I know what will. For one of the practicals we had to squeeze an ice pack for a full minute without letting go using one or more of the techniques. I used the imaging, and it seemed to help. I'm not sure why, but the spot I picked was this awesome field we saw when Steven and I vacationed in Wyoming one time. It was a beautiful field of lupine (I think that was the flower), and I could remember everything about that day. Even felt the braids I was wearing! The ice pack still hurt, but it definitely gave me some distraction. The labor ball I think will be one of my God sends, as I tend to sit on my yoga ball a lot now to help with back pressure. Of course there is no way to know what will happen that day, and how he cooperates, or how my body will cooperate, so it will be one second at a time on how Steven and I experience this. No matter what, we just will be excited to leave with our son!

At the Lamaze class the fathers were also given the chance to experience the sympathy belly. Steven of course volunteered for the experience. He was shocked by how hard it was to sit. He told me, "wow, there really IS no way to be lady like with this"!, and I even "accidentally" dropped a wrapper for him to pick up. Gravity and weight took it's toll, and after twenty minutes he was ready to take it off.

Steven found some benefits to the big belly

Sunday was our hospital tour. Of course, I know the hospital pretty well, having worked there for three years, and being privy to some labor and delivering floor knowledge thanks to my wonderful sister-in-law, Veronica. But it was still a great chance for us to see where and what all we could expect or possibly expect.