The more I read up on Bradley classes and the whole theory behind it, the more I lean towards wanting a natural (non-medicated) childbirth. I don’t want to not feel anything from the waist down. (It doesn’t happen to all women who get epis, but many it does – women seem to react differently to it.) A part of my desire is because… well, natural is the way it’s supposed to be. You probably know how I’ve always felt about medication of any sort. Being on anti-depressants was a huge step for me, and now I will take midol for cramps and advil for a wicked headache (like I have now, though I haven’t taken anything yet). But I don’t take something unless I need to. And birthing… well, it’s… natural. It’s what happens. There’s a beginning and an end. Plus from what I’ve read the transition phase is the worst, not the actual pushing.

I haven’t mentioned it to Den again because when I brought it up the first time he basically said, “You’d never handle it.” Umm, thanks for the vote of confidence? But, I know what he means, why he said it. I don’t handle pain – physical or emotional – well at all. But I feel like childbirth is a totally different kind of pain. It’s purposeful.

I guess I’ll see when I get there, and after I go through some Bradley classes and learn more. And, you know, when I actually get pregnant.