So last night was week #3 of our Bradley class (it got moved to Tuesday nights from now on). I have a work meeting at 6pm Tuesday nights (that always start late) so I was late to the class by about a minute. Drat. Den was there already.

Poor Den looked like he was about ready to fall out of his chair and start snoring at any minute. I suspect he dozed off a couple of times during class. I kept flicking my hand at him to check that he was awake and paying attention.

Our topic for the day was looking at the stages of labor, how long they were, what to expect, and signposts. It was just an overview and we’ll go into detail in future classes. I think it was extremely helpful… this is stuff I really really wanted to learn, both for me and for Den.

The instructors (husband and wife, if you’ve forgotten) were talking about how no one can be as good a birth coach as a partner (husband)… they are the one person who knows you the best in life, who can read you better than any medical personnel. A husband can tell when you’re “slightly more cranky than normal,” even if to other people you still seem cheery (or, conversely, can tell when you’re still in a pretty good mood for you, even if everyone else thinks you’re cranky, lol!). I really love how they emphasise the role of the father/coach, how important it is… and how they give so many examples of what they need to be doing to help you out. I feel like this is SO good for Den to be hearing, not only validation of his desire to be my one and only support, but also all that prep knowledge. It’s important to ME that he knows the signposts and can guide me through my labor. I really really need someone saying, “Okay, looks like you’re heading into transition honey. You’re almost there. Just a little longer.” I need that kind of feedback… not just emotional support. I like facts and details, it’s just how I work.

This morning he did say to me, “How on earth am I going to get through an 18 hour labor?? I always thought it was like, a couple of hours… not a freaking marathon! I’ll have to bring a book or something.” So apparently he learned something. lol Sorry bubs, I’m not real thrilled about an 18 hour marathon, either. LOL!

Den is just doing so well in this class, I really am so thrilled with him. Maybe that sounds silly, but I know how he rolls his eyes at the earthy-crunchy foofy stuff. But he is really really making an effort to participate, he watches the birth movies and he comments on stuff to me afterwards. And he’s so funny around the house now, saying, “Have you done your kegels yet today? Gimme 10!!” He cracks me up!

I also feel so encouraged by him in the eating arena too. He’s been super supportive of all the changes I’ve made and is always saying things like, “Good job!” when I tell him I bougth flax bread instead of white, etc. Again, maybe that seems silly… but I know how hard it is on my mom to make changes to her eating habits when my dad is standing there going, “Why? I’m not eating that shit.” :( I feel so bad for her now that I see it from her viewpoint. Den really is amazing. Plus he’s on a diet himself, trying to lose weight… so while he obviously doesn’t want to eat all the protein that I am, we’re both really focussing on the whole grains and fruits and veggies. It’s great to do it together. It just makes it so much easier.

So yeah! This class thing is going really well! When I tell people we’re doing a birthing class I frequently get an eyeroll and a, “What, they need to teach you how to push? What’s so hard about that?” I still really don’t know how to succinctly answer them… right now I just smile and shrug. But how can I explain (in a sentence or two) how much we’re getting from this class or why I feel I need it? Especially people who think labor automatically comes with an epidural. How can I explain that it’s so much more than a labor class? It’s about nutrition, it’s about fitness, it’s about your partner, it’s about medical procedures, it’s about anatomy. I understand how people could be confused about how on earth you can fill up 10-12 weeks about labor and birth, but there is just so much info, and I love it.

Just have to remember to do my homework.