Alive

I'm here! I always tell myself I will blog more often. I even have a list of things I could talk about...but the truth is...I'm getting fat. My back hurts pretty bad and I can't sit in front of the computer for very long. (And this makes me sad b/c I still have about 8-9 more weeks to deal with it...and I'm SURE it will get worse!)

Recently, we went to the "Prepared Childbirth" class. We took the one day "fast track" course - which I'm glad we did. Most of the stuff we heard in the class I'd already read about, because I'm a freak when it comes to preparing myself for what may happen. But there was some information in there that I'd never thought of. For example: the instructor said that after the baby is born they will ask you about their "eye's and thighs". They will ask if you want to give the baby a vitamin K injection in their thigh because while the baby is in your womb it gets your vit k, but after it's born, it doesn't start producing its own for about a week. I think she said it helps their blood to clot, in the case that they made need it that first week. Then, for their eyes, they ask if you want to put this gel stuff (I know you've seen it, the babies have greasy looking eyes)...anyway, put this gel stuff in their eyes to help prevent infection. I haven't done any research on these things yet...so I'm starting here....what have ya'll done? And if you know more about it...tell me!

I was afraid that in the class they would try to push a natural delivery. At the beginning, they did, but as the class went on, she never bashed an epidural. As a matter of fact, one of the anesthesiologist came in and answered questions and passed around the needle they use to insert the epidural. Honestly, I was scared LESS after seeing the needle. I think I'd worked it to be this HUGE thing in my head...and while it IS much larger than a "shot"...and this is probably so dumb of me, but I didn't realize they actually take that large needle out - all it is used for is to get to your epidural space so they can thread a catheter into it and into your back. Of course, he shared with us all the risks that come w/ an epidural, but I'm still confident in team of Doctors, and I'm SURE I will still get one. They say the only pain you feel is from the initial shot they give you to deaden the area which feels like a bee sting. Then, when they actually insert the epidural you feel a lot of pressure, but I'm sure by that point, pressure is NOTHING compared to what you are going through.

So, for the most part, I was glad to hear the info from the class. I'm very sad to see what all my vajayjay will have to endure, but I'm more scared about AFTER delivery. EVERYTHING will be different. She showed us the diaper like thing you wear for at least the first 12-24 hrs. When they talk about a huge pad...this is no kotex period pad, like I expected. You know those Bed Bath and Beyond fliers you get in the mail, the pad's shape is roughly about the size of that, if not larger. And then on top of that you have an ice pack. Is the ice pack uncomfortable? It doesn't seem like it would be very nice sitting on top of it...but maybe the coolness feels good after everything it's been through? Anyway, she recommended we get depends diapers - which I refused to do - until she showed how ridiculous the other one looked. Now, I'm not sure. But, I figure, you're not moving around TOO much during those first hours anyway, so maybe the ridiculous diaper they make you is ok?

Then...I asked if the hospital had visiting hours, or if visitors were allowed to wonder to your room any time they like. (I'm worried because I don't wanting to be boobing--(I'm not using the N word because, like Jessica said, I don't want a bunch of anonymous freaks coming on here and giving their opinion) -- and someone I'm not as comfortable with shows up at the door. Her answer was, we do, but they're not enforced. AHH!! SO, i could potentially have all day visitors that don't LEAVE?!? Hopefully people will come and go and remember what it's like to be a new mother and to want to bond with your baby. I know, a lot of people say "you'll get comfortable with boobing and won't mind whipping it out in front of people". My answer to that is, maybe....but AT FIRST when I'm learning, I don't want the whole world to be sitting there watching me with added pressure, or feeling like they need to tell me how to do it right. Also, I'm excited about boobing, because only IIII can do that...so, if I'm overwhelmed somewhere and need a little alone time - it's going to be time to boob - and I'll take myself to a private room and relax and be able to enjoy holding MY baby.

Oh. the other thing great about the class was, it informs your husband of what all is going to go on. If your husband is like mine, he hasn't read a thing, except for what I force him to look at. But, I think he has a lot more sympathy for me....for what I'm going through now, and what is about to happen.... :)