Higher Education - Part 1

We are taking alot of classes to prepare for G's arrival. The first one was "Late Pregnancy" and the hospital tour.

We really enjoyed the late pregnancy class portion because the teacher was incredible and really into more natural techniques for pain relief and all that. She was really knowledgeable and very nice. We learned about what to expect in the next couple weeks/months, when we should go to the hospital and a general idea of what labor would be like, complete with some pretty funny "smiley" faces. One had an actual smile, she said this was the beginning of labor when you are still excited and happy. Then next one was a straight line, this is when things start to get slightly uncomfortable but you are still managing the pain well and able to talk through it. The next one was a frown and this is when the partner should stop making jokes and just do what they are told, this is also when she said you should go to the hospital, about 5-6 centimeters. The last one was a big scribble for the mouth, this is when you are in a ton of pain, transition, and pushing. I thought they were funny!

There was a really awkward moment that I don't even know if I can type out here. There was a girl in the class, really young looking and she already had a child who looked to be about 1 1/2 to 2. she also had her Dad and younger sister with her. She was either in the military or her husband was, I'm not sure. The teacher at one point was taking about how in less than 20% of labors the water breaking is what starts it.  She asked this girl how her first labor started and the girl said "well actually my water broke first but I didn't know it because the doctors told me it was c*m from the night before" we all froze at the disbelief that she actually said that in front of a room of strangers and in front of her father and younger sister!! The teacher turned red and said, "Oh, well I am sorry that you experienced that" and moved onto the next topic. AWKWARD!

The hospital tour was good too and since my niece was born in that same hospital we were really familiar with it and able to "see" ourselves there. We learned that the hospital has labor tubs on order but they don't know when they would be installed so we may or may not be able to use them and you cannot rent your own and bring it in. Boo!

We were for sure the only lesbian couple there and the other students must have thought we were totally hippies asking all our questions about birthing tubs and if J could catch the baby! It was pretty funny. Also, most of the room was having girls, there were only 5 of us having boys and 4 out of 5 shared my first name! Crazy!!

Our next class is the "And Baby Makes 3..." class and we are really looking forward to it. It's more about the parents relationship and how to cope with the challenges of bringing home a new baby. We know we are a great team but we want all the help we can with our life changes so we stay that way!