Knowledge is Power

We have one more childbirth education class this week and then we are done with our 8 week series of classes on having a baby. Signing up for these classes has been one of the best things I have done for myself during this pregnancy. I am so thankful we decided to go with the 8 week series from a private teacher, than the three classes offered on post in an overcrowded classroom. There were 5 other couples in our class and it created a nice intimate setting to be able to learn and ask lots of questions. We also had a great teacher, who I would highly recommend to anyone in the Springs looking to take a childbirth education class. Before attending these classes, all I knew about having a baby I learned on TV and in the movies. Turns out, it is a much different experience, and there does not have to be intense screaming :). Now, I feel so knowledgeable about what will be happening to my body and Baby Kyle as I go into labor.

Often times for me, fear of the unknown is the greatest kind of fear. While I don’t know exactly how our labor will play out in the end, I have a good idea of all the different scenarios that could happen, and that is calming to my very active imagination. And while thinking about the labor and delivery of our baby does keep me up at night sometimes, I am comforted in knowing that my body was made to do this work, and no matter what the baby WILL come out, whether I am able to do it naturally or with hospital interventions, he can’t stay in there forever.

The classes have also been really effective in creating dialogue between Matt and me about the pregnancy and birth experience. I am so thankful that he was able to attend the classes with me. Having him aware of the good, bad, and ugly parts of labor makes me feel calmer and I know he is going to be a great coach! Lastly, I am thankful for all this knowledge, so I can make informed decisions about the care of myself and Baby Kyle during the labor and delivery.

This week also marks three more months of pregnancy for me! YAY! As I enter into the third trimester, I am definitely starting to feel pregnant. I am not too uncomfortable yet, but definitely feel like I am growing another human. I agree with those that say the second trimester is the best. You no longer feel tired and yucky, and for the most part feel like your normal self. Overall, I would say I had a pretty awesome second trimester. We found out the sex of our little babe and I got to feel him move for the first time, two very exciting milestones. I am hoping these next three months go by fast and are not too uncomfortable, but either way it will all be worth it in the end. I can handle the discomfort for the prize that is waiting for me at the finish line!!!