Lamaze class update:

Last week, Ray and I went to our 3rd Lamaze class. It was a good class but a little much for me (more details in a minute). Not long after class started, Ray leaned over and whispered something hilarious in response to the teacher’s topic! I started laughing and could not stop! Neither could Ray! I know that is terribly rude, but we couldn’t help it! Every time Ray would stop for a few seconds, I would try to stop too, but it didn’t work! What can you say? Laughter is contagious! I even tried looking away and holding my breath for a few seconds. But I would hear Ray’s under breath giggle break free – or even worse, I’d look over to see his face all red with veins popping out of his forehead! I even got to the point of crying and almost wetting my pants! Finally, the teacher jokingly said, “Do I have to separate you two?” We let out some of the laughter we had been working so hard to suppress and apologized. Other people may have been annoyed by our “immaturity”, but I didn’t care. It was pretty fun being almost 30 years old and cutting up with my husband in Lamaze class! :)

As I said earlier, the class was a bit much for me this time. First, we took a hospital tour. We went on one before, but the purpose of it was to sell you on delivering there. This tour was more detailed. The teacher showed us how the beds move and come apart, the fetal monitor we will have on while there, etc. Seeing all these things made everything VERY real for us!

When we got back to the classroom, the teacher started talking about anesthesia. We discussed every detail about epidurals possible…and watched a video about them. We got to see the procedure, hear about the advantages and disadvantages, etc. We also heard about the details of routine and emergency procedures of labor – just incase. She talked about episiotomies, c-sections, etc. I knew what these things were and basics about them. I like being prepared, but I guess too many details about all the possibilities is…well, too much! Hearing all that medical talk, seeing that stuff on the video, and being in the actual delivery room (with only about 2 ½ months more months to go) was a little overwhelming.

I haven’t ever been a fan of needles. As I’ve shared before, I’ve had some terrible experiences (specifically with my back being the point of insertion, which is where epidurals are placed). As far as blood and guts are concerned, they don’t gross me out. To me, blood is a very pure/clean thing. I just don’t like it coming from me. And the sight of it does make me weak. Blood and guts are internal things! When I see them outside of the body or even exposed, it doesn’t sit right with me.

Everything medical related a person does – even something like take a tylenol – has possible side effects. 9 times out of 10, the medicine works perfectly or the procedure goes exactly as it should. But because of all the lawsuits, you have to be told every single thing that could go wrong. While I’m level headed enough to know it is unlikely anything will go wrong, hearing all the possibilities kinda bothered me.

The long running joke between Ray and I is me asking him if it is too late to change my mind about having a baby! Of course, I do NOT mean that! I am so thrilled about being pregnant! I wouldn’t change it for the world!!! Ray and I becoming parents is a dream come true for us. But yes, I am getting a bit scared. I’ve never experienced this before and am afraid of the unknown. I’ve always had an active brain that rarely takes a break, which I am very thankful for. But now that I’m pregnant, it really works overtime! At times, I ask myself if I can do this. After some reasoning, my answer is always yes. And if I were to ever come up with another conclusion, February WILL come whether I am ready or not! :)

~T.T.