We had our first childbirth preparation class this morning. It was very different from what I imagined, ya know, the prep classes from all the shows, where you learn the "Lamaze" way of breathing. Next week we will learn about breathing techinques and different positions to try, but this week we watched some videos and learned about the labor process in depth, while being able to answer questions. I really enjoyed our nurse who taught us. She offered a lot of insight and wisdom. Attila and I both agreed it was really good to learn about the different stages of labor and what to expect for each one. It brought our minds to ease, especially about when to know the right time of going to the hospital. This week, we learned about what to expect in a natral childbirth and next week we will learn about all the "interventions" that can happen. Our nurse really stressed that if you're choosing a natural childbirth, the critical time is the "transition" phase, when contractactions and pain can be the most intense. She said, honestly, this is when most moms say "I can't do this anymore!" She stressed to talk with your "support person" (aka my hubby) before labor begins so they know if they need to talk you through this time or to listen to what you want in that moment and let the nurses know if pain meds can really be administered. She said some moms who do ask for an epidural at this time will afterward say they wished they wouldn't have gotten one because it wasn't much longer till baby was born. Many moms who do have a natural birth very quickly forget the pain and say "That wasn't so bad!"
We watched a video of a couple's journey in labor and it was really inspiring. The woman was very honest about her pain. They checked her at one point and she was 5 cm dialated and she said, "Oh you have got to be kidding me, I can't do this anymore". Her midwife and husband were great at talking her through it. They also showed the techniques she and her husband used to cope with the pain of contractions, and it was really beautiful to watch them in such harmony. Their communication was great and they worked really well together. It was obvious that it wasn't an easy birth but it was a very positive experience for their whole family in the end. I loved it! At the beginning of the class, I was a little overwhelmed at how much my body is going to go through and how difficult it may be, but by the end, I was at ease and ready to begin the process of mentally, emotionally, and spiritually preparing myself for this labor and birth. I learned that during the really hard times, I need to be dependant on my husband's support and his encouragement. Once I am 7-8 cm dialated, it may be difficult, but I have to remember that it WILL be over soon and the end result is a baby!!
I think we are going to start figuring out what kind of music we want to listen to during labor and I even want to think of ways we can pray throughout it all, too. Ahh, we are so excited for this new adventure!!!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Growing pains
We have our first childbirth prep class this Saturday, I am so excited! It's going to make things so much more "real", I hope! I'm getting really anxious for this baby to get here, especially as my body is going through such drastic changes. I just read on a website the other day that some moms can experience a type of depression during their pregnancy. I can relate at times. I will be honest that its not always easy to be joyful during pregnancy, especially when you get a quick glimpse in the mirror of what you now look like. I've never put on this much weight in so little a time and I feel the past month I haven't been the best at minding how much I eat or the healthiness of what I'm eating and now all of the sudden I feel poopy. And I've also been experiencing some really crazy growing pains! Its getting harder and harder to be comfortable at night when I'm trying to sleep, and I often feel like my bladder is going to fall out when I walk!
But as I was making one of my many trips to the bathroom (and yes, sitting on the toilet) I realized that this is all happening in order that another human person may be brought into this world. I don't always automatically remember that in times of discomfort and low self-esteem.
Amidst some of the discomfort, there are times of great joy, too. These are mostly when this baby is moving around so much. I just have to laugh out loud sometimes with joy! The movements are getting so big and strong, I can feel it my butt! Gotta be honest, I just have to laugh at this sensation! Another moment of joy and laughter was when I was watching my good friends two little boys after school. I said, "Guys, the babys kicking, wanna feel? And the cute little first grader innocently put his hand on my chest instead of my belly and said "Here?". Then as we watched some PBS show, he just sat there with his hand on my belly, so nonchalantly. He kept asking "How does the baby get in there? Little girls don't have bellies with babies, how do big girls get them?" and I would say "You have to be married and love your husband and wife so much" and he just couldn't take that answer. Not being his parent, I had to leave it at that :) So cute and innocent, little boys must be so fun :)
But as I was making one of my many trips to the bathroom (and yes, sitting on the toilet) I realized that this is all happening in order that another human person may be brought into this world. I don't always automatically remember that in times of discomfort and low self-esteem.
Amidst some of the discomfort, there are times of great joy, too. These are mostly when this baby is moving around so much. I just have to laugh out loud sometimes with joy! The movements are getting so big and strong, I can feel it my butt! Gotta be honest, I just have to laugh at this sensation! Another moment of joy and laughter was when I was watching my good friends two little boys after school. I said, "Guys, the babys kicking, wanna feel? And the cute little first grader innocently put his hand on my chest instead of my belly and said "Here?". Then as we watched some PBS show, he just sat there with his hand on my belly, so nonchalantly. He kept asking "How does the baby get in there? Little girls don't have bellies with babies, how do big girls get them?" and I would say "You have to be married and love your husband and wife so much" and he just couldn't take that answer. Not being his parent, I had to leave it at that :) So cute and innocent, little boys must be so fun :)
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The Simple Life
As I hit about the 3 months to go mark, I'm getting very anxious about all that needs to be done before the little one gets here. Our "guest bedroom" is still a "catch all" with not much room in the closet for new baby clothes and gear. We still have our bills and files just randomly sitting on top of one of the dressers. I'd like this room to be the baby's and the status of it right now is a little stressful. There is also the task of registering for things for our showers and of course, I want to register for things I really think I will use and will really need. In both of these things, planning the "nursery" and registering for new things, a big part of me wants to get all this cute, new stuff that matches and looks great. I want a "design" for the baby room. This would also cost a good amount of money to do all this.
Something I feel the Lord has been putting on my heart lately is simplicity. I just desire, and by His grace am able to sometimes, have a simple trust in Him that we will have everything we need for this baby. Is it crucial to my child's rearing that they have all "cute" and "new" things? Will they even know the difference if their crib was bought new or used? 20 years from now, will my child say "I really wish my Mom and Dad (and rest of family) bought me a lot more things" ? I'm thinking the answer is no to all this. In the past couple weeks, the Lord has softened my heart to be so grateful and content with things people are willing to give to us for our baby that are used, free of charge. Someone has offered to give us their old "pack n play" and a used car seat/ stroller. Are they going to match everything else? Probably not. But those are two less things we'll have to buy and I am so grateful for that! I also know that I can be creative and will make our child's room look "cute" and coordinated, even with a modge podge of things. It's pretty exciting actually! The thought of other people helping us out by donating their old stuff to us gives me a great sense of community and am humbled by people's eagerness to help us out.
Today is the anniversary of Roe V. Wade, the case that legalized abortion. As I am carrying my unborn child, I have a new awareness and understanding for women who find themselves in scary and tough situations. And it saddens me that many women choose abortion because they are lacking this sense of a community who are willing to support them. We fail. Let us all make the sacrifices needed to lift up the greater good of our community and those individuals who need our help the most. God grant us the strength to lift up our heads and be compassionate!
Something I feel the Lord has been putting on my heart lately is simplicity. I just desire, and by His grace am able to sometimes, have a simple trust in Him that we will have everything we need for this baby. Is it crucial to my child's rearing that they have all "cute" and "new" things? Will they even know the difference if their crib was bought new or used? 20 years from now, will my child say "I really wish my Mom and Dad (and rest of family) bought me a lot more things" ? I'm thinking the answer is no to all this. In the past couple weeks, the Lord has softened my heart to be so grateful and content with things people are willing to give to us for our baby that are used, free of charge. Someone has offered to give us their old "pack n play" and a used car seat/ stroller. Are they going to match everything else? Probably not. But those are two less things we'll have to buy and I am so grateful for that! I also know that I can be creative and will make our child's room look "cute" and coordinated, even with a modge podge of things. It's pretty exciting actually! The thought of other people helping us out by donating their old stuff to us gives me a great sense of community and am humbled by people's eagerness to help us out.
Today is the anniversary of Roe V. Wade, the case that legalized abortion. As I am carrying my unborn child, I have a new awareness and understanding for women who find themselves in scary and tough situations. And it saddens me that many women choose abortion because they are lacking this sense of a community who are willing to support them. We fail. Let us all make the sacrifices needed to lift up the greater good of our community and those individuals who need our help the most. God grant us the strength to lift up our heads and be compassionate!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Home Stretch
So, I haven't posted in like 3 weeks, woops! Going back to work after Christmas break has been an adjustment and I think things are settling down a little bit. I decided I would update about how the pregnany is going!
My baby is growing!! Maybe the next post will be an announcement about the gender, I keep forgetting we haven't put it up here or on Facebook, so many friends from outta town don't know yet! In the past few weeks, I am so surprised every time I look in the mirror at how many new stretch marks I have! I haven't been the best at puttin the cocoa butter on, and I know eventually, as I have more kids, the stretch marks would come anyway. It's something that I myself cannot be worried about and I'm OK with that. This is my new life! With stretch marks come some crazy muscle pains, what is called "round ligament pains". Man oh man, I feel like the muscles in my pelvic area are being pulled like rubber bands. It hurts most when I've been sitting for a while and I get up too quick. This baby, as all babies I think, is also putting a lot of pressure on my bladder. Just walking around can be painful! I am also losing my sense of balance, which is normal, too. We went to the doc this past Thursday and I found out I've gained about 20 pounds total, which I'm a little self-conscious about. I don't FEEL 20 pounds heavier. Obviously the bulk of weight is in the tummy area too,but I know my hips are also a lil bigger, which is no surprise for my body type!
Something else that has been happening is that my right hand has been falling asleep at night and I wake up in pain. I will shake it out, but it goes right back to sleep. Then when I wake up and am getting ready for the day, I notice that its not so much asleep but when I go to grab something, I feel pain and tingling. Our midwife said that I probably have carpel tunnel! I honestly just chalked it up to "poor circulation" but I guess in pregnancy the carpel tunnel nerve that runs down our arm and into our rest, like other things, can become swollen thus causing problems. Crazy! So if it gets worse I may be sleeping with a splint, but we'll see. It's just another of those things that surpises me about my pregnant body.
In a couple weeks we will start our series of Childbirth prep classes. I'm excited and think it will make things more real. I'm really excited to start getting Attila more involved by helping me with learning relaxation methods, as we are going to try for a natural childbirth (i.e. no epidural, pitocin, etc.). Don't worry, if needed we will be in a hospital, so if things need to be induced or an emergency happens, I understand that its ok. But they will try to be avoided and our midwife is trained in natural childbirth. As much as I can be scared about experiencing all that pain, I have a feeling that it will be a very good journey for me and my baby and my husband, one that will strengthen our family a whole lot. If you know me well (like my parents and siblings know this) I don't do well with physical pain and discomfort. I can be whiny and complainy. Already, this pregnancy is forcing me outta that (slowly but surely) and I know this pregnancy and birth is going to sanctify me so that I may go outside of myself and unite myself to Our Lord.
Anyway, I could go on and on, but I am excited and getting more excited to meet our little one after this time of joyful (and somewhat penitential) time of anticipation!
My baby is growing!! Maybe the next post will be an announcement about the gender, I keep forgetting we haven't put it up here or on Facebook, so many friends from outta town don't know yet! In the past few weeks, I am so surprised every time I look in the mirror at how many new stretch marks I have! I haven't been the best at puttin the cocoa butter on, and I know eventually, as I have more kids, the stretch marks would come anyway. It's something that I myself cannot be worried about and I'm OK with that. This is my new life! With stretch marks come some crazy muscle pains, what is called "round ligament pains". Man oh man, I feel like the muscles in my pelvic area are being pulled like rubber bands. It hurts most when I've been sitting for a while and I get up too quick. This baby, as all babies I think, is also putting a lot of pressure on my bladder. Just walking around can be painful! I am also losing my sense of balance, which is normal, too. We went to the doc this past Thursday and I found out I've gained about 20 pounds total, which I'm a little self-conscious about. I don't FEEL 20 pounds heavier. Obviously the bulk of weight is in the tummy area too,but I know my hips are also a lil bigger, which is no surprise for my body type!
Something else that has been happening is that my right hand has been falling asleep at night and I wake up in pain. I will shake it out, but it goes right back to sleep. Then when I wake up and am getting ready for the day, I notice that its not so much asleep but when I go to grab something, I feel pain and tingling. Our midwife said that I probably have carpel tunnel! I honestly just chalked it up to "poor circulation" but I guess in pregnancy the carpel tunnel nerve that runs down our arm and into our rest, like other things, can become swollen thus causing problems. Crazy! So if it gets worse I may be sleeping with a splint, but we'll see. It's just another of those things that surpises me about my pregnant body.
In a couple weeks we will start our series of Childbirth prep classes. I'm excited and think it will make things more real. I'm really excited to start getting Attila more involved by helping me with learning relaxation methods, as we are going to try for a natural childbirth (i.e. no epidural, pitocin, etc.). Don't worry, if needed we will be in a hospital, so if things need to be induced or an emergency happens, I understand that its ok. But they will try to be avoided and our midwife is trained in natural childbirth. As much as I can be scared about experiencing all that pain, I have a feeling that it will be a very good journey for me and my baby and my husband, one that will strengthen our family a whole lot. If you know me well (like my parents and siblings know this) I don't do well with physical pain and discomfort. I can be whiny and complainy. Already, this pregnancy is forcing me outta that (slowly but surely) and I know this pregnancy and birth is going to sanctify me so that I may go outside of myself and unite myself to Our Lord.
Anyway, I could go on and on, but I am excited and getting more excited to meet our little one after this time of joyful (and somewhat penitential) time of anticipation!
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