Childbirth Preparation

Greg and I had our first Christian Childbirth Preparation Class yesterday evening after work. It was pretty interesting. We discussed things our bodies are going through now (and why) with diagrams which I think was helpful for the husbands to see. We also began discussing how to distinguish between false labor and the real thing. Lastly, we discussed and practiced (with our husbands) calming techniques for when the contractions first start. It really was calming. I could have fallen asleep. I was leaning up against Greg while soft music played in the background and the lights were dimmed. And Greg was rubbing my head, which I just love. A head massage is always such a calming thing for me after even the most stressful of days. I am sure I won’t be nearly as calm though when the real thing starts. 🙂 But it was good practice anyways. And the best part is that the husbands have homework for this week – to learn to give their wives certain massages and to practice 3-4 times this week for about 30 minutes each time. That is GREAT. I think I am lucky though, because Greg has always been good about giving me massages anyways when I need or ask for one.

Another nice thing about the class is that the other 6 couples are all about our age, and this is their first child as well. It was reassuring to hear that some of the other women had the same fears about the whole labor thing as I do. I really appreciated and am excited that I was able to find a Christian Childbirth class. It teaches all the same things as the regular one, but we opened and closed with prayer and also had a quick devotional at the end. We went over Psalm 139:13-16.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

I have began praying for our daughter and for us as parents. It is so cool to think that this is all part of God’s plan, and that he knows and loves her already.