Loose Ends

Another week, another labor video! Wheeeeeee….

I like going to baby class because we practice the breathing, and talk about stuff that I never would have thought to ask about, but I hate baby class because I feel very unprepared when I leave, and I am absolutely sure there is nothing that can really prepare me. Hopefully it is preparing Russ. At least one of us can show up with half our wits.

The other thing is it is still making it really hard to decide about the doula thing. While we are there I am absolutely sure I want it to be a stranger, because I am sure I am going to embarass myself, but the moment we leave I think there is no way to get through all this without a friend. I mean a woman friend who has had a baby; there is no substitute for Russ.

The mechanics of the whole thing really are fascinating, I like that part of class.

So, 1 month and counting at work. We are doing interviews for another GIS person and it is going really well I think. We’ve had a couple of good people and one really good person who unfortunately is probably too good and would make our group top-heavy. I’m sorry we couldn’t start this 2 months ago, but at least the ball is rolling, and people are starting to get focused. I’m transitioning all my projects that are in the beginning stages this week, not taking any new requests, and trying to get the big old projects wrapped up and documented. So, 1 month and counting at work.

I’m almost an outtie! I’m like 3/4 innie. It is absolutely fascinating, I keep poking it constantly so I don’t miss the exact moment that it flips. Also, still craving apples like a mad woman. I drink an entire pitcher of my happy tropicana blend, and then I eat some applesauce. Pretty much everything gives me acid reflux now, so I eat apples, smoothies, bananas, yogurt, bread, cheese, and suprisingly the green veggies and salads go down fine too.

Can’t wait for everyone to get over this icky cold…

Talk to you soon! - Naomi

Pregnant + head cold = YUCK.

Last night was our second baby class. Another video, another “way too much information.” This time we watched a woman labor. Joy. But once again, I did learn some things. I learned that they will let you deliver in whatever position you want, and change around whenever you want. I also was glad to see that they didn’t give the woman any drugs to speed her up, even though her contractions never got closer than 7 minutes apart all the way to the end. She was making progress, so they just let things go. And no one freaked out when labor slowed down when she first got to the hospital.

That is one of my biggest worries; that I will be rushed along and then the whole process will get “medicalized.” I am not opposed to medical intervention if there is some kind of danger, but I really don’t want a lot of intervention because I’m not following a formula. So I liked what the “Birthing from Within” book said about constructive worrying. She suggests to really look at your worry and develop methods to cope with the situation should it arise. Use worry as a guide for preparation. Last night the baby teacher said, “You can have the birth you want at Morse, but they are more geared towards complicated cases so you need to communicate what you want.” That didn’t freak me out this time, it is good information and something to work with. Way better than just trying not to worry.

This cold sucks. Liquid diet seems to be helping. I discovered the secret formula for a “Tropicana” from Nugget. Ok, not really a secret, you can watch them make it. I bought some fresh apple juice, fresh pineapple juice, some plain yogurt, and some bananas. About 1 cup of each (plus a little ice) makes pretty much exactly a Nugget Tropicana. The ingredients were a little expensive, but I think I broke even after two pitchers. Plus I am completely fixated on it. Craving it, you could say…

Mr. Adventure still seems to be happy in there. Maybe he doesn’t even notice that I have a cold…that would be nice.

Got Dakar?

If you haven’t check out the Dakar Rally, set your tivo to the VS. channel (formerlyOLN). Although they have cut back coverage to a half-hour highlight show, there is some pretty amazing scenery to be seen, and a whole lot of trial by fire.

I felted the slippers this weekend - why didn’t someone tell me felting was so cool?!? Oh wait, everyone did. I didn’t enjoy the smell of the wool, it was kinda like sewer, but it was pretty amazing that it really works. I didn’t think they would get small enough, but it worked! I didn’t really get any pictures though.

So what did I learn on my first foray into feling? I think it is is better spring/fall activity - it was farkin cold out in the garage. The slippers are super duper fuzzy; I’m glad I put them in the pillowcase to protect the washer. And the spin cycle was terrific for getting most of the water out. I also liked the tip about stuffing the shoes with plastic bags so they keep their shape while they dry. The bottoms probably need some sort of sticky sole; they are very slick.

I’m definitely going to make a purse now.

I hate it when I fart in yoga class…

So I’m still thinking about that birth video. As very painful as it looked to actually get the head out, I am stuck with the image of mom right after the baby was born. It was like she was the most amazingly lucky and loved person in the world. She had this ecstatic look when she saw the baby, and then she got to have all the excitement and love from dad piled on top.

In class yesterday, the instructor asked us what we hoped for about our birth. I decided I didn’t want to hope for a birth without drugs, because that seems to lack confidence. Like, I hope someone gets me a DVD for Xmas, and I hope I can be strong through labor. It isn’t a hope because it is in my power. But what I really hope is that all this meditation relaxation stuff works. It is the only tool in my aresnal. It is so scary to not know what to expect, and know that there is nothing to be done but be OK with whatever happens. Sounds like parenting in general…

Baby had the hiccups during relaxation tonight.  Russ got to feel a big, strong barrel-roll today too.

Ok, way too much information

Russ and I had our first of six Prepared Parenting classes, and got to watch a lovely video of a birth. I have seen a few episodes of “A Baby Story” on TLC, but I think this was a bit more educational. Ok then.

I really like our birth instructor, Debbie Lavin. She is a doula and has had 4 babies of her own. One was cesarian, one was induced, and two were natural. The fourth came a year after her husband had a vasectomy, and she was almost 40, so I guess she has experienced a pretty broad range of scenarios. I like her approach, she seems really non-judgemental.

We did an ice breaker to meet the other couples in our class, and I thought, “This is how my mom and dad met Jo-Anna and David.” There seem to be a lot of smart and interesting people in the class, maybe we’ll find a Jo-Anna and David too.

At the beginning we went around the room and people told a little about themselves including baby names. I said we were deciding between Poseidon Adventure and Optimus Prime, and Debbie did a really good job of keeping a straight face but I let her off the hook pretty quick. ;)  [edit: lest you thinkI'm evil, it got a good laugh, and someone else down the line said, "We don't have a name picked out either, but after last weekend we are crossing Tony Romo off the list."]

It sounds like there is going to be a nice mix of breathing and relaxation techniques, not just Lamaze or any one thing. She had us practice a relaxation exercise at the end of class and encouraged us to practice at home, and said they would get longer each class. I told Russ that I was glad that I had so much practice with meditation. I imagine that most women go to an internal space during labor to manage the pain, but it is probably a lot less scary if you have practiced being in that internal place before, and even know how to go there on purpose to optimize it. I’ve never been really responsive to pretending I’m on a beach (although sometimes I can visualize Elk Beach or the forest there) but I know a few other things I like to use.

(Am I going to read this again in 2 months and laugh?)

Ugh, time for bed already. Tomorrow I have my usual monthly checkup. Pee in a cup and check the blood pressure. We had Boston Market for dinner which was a yummy treat because of the salt but my feet are so swollen right now I will definitely not be eating there again soon.

p.s. still an innie!