Wow Cassie you have experienced it all!
Cassie I am so glad to have you with us on here, I always admire all the experiences you bring the forum. I know there are a lot of women on here that would certainly benefit from information you have. :)
So I have to ask, what helps you prepare for labor? Do you do anything special?
Wow. Thanks so much for offering to your experiances to us. God Bless!
Honestly, I have never really done anything to prepare, aside from trying to do a lot of walking. I've never taken a childbirth class. I've done some online research and read other's experiences, but that's pretty much it.
My Mom was always one to talk honestly and openly (and with proper terminology) about things like sex and baby making and birthing, so I just sort of grew up with a little more general knowledge that a lot of people.
I'm also not one to be easily embarrased or overly anxious about things, I just sort of go with the flow...I think that is a big reason why I've never had any major issues with labor and delivery.
I never worried about the breathing or relaxation techniques they teach in childbirth classes. As a teenager I experienced some horrible toothaches, that too this day, I swear were worse than any form of childbirth. My Mom taught me some breathing/relaxation techniques then that I just carried over into labor and delivery.
We are taking the classes. I get panick attacks taking breathing tests so I feel like I need to make sure I am ok. My doctor insists I will be breathing to get through the pain and will be ok. I am still nervous I don't need one to happen on a day that should be about my baby and making sure he is ok. As far as pain goes. I have IBS and those attacks get really bad. So I know I can survive pain. I just want to be prepared.
We are taking the baby saver class and the baby basics class because my Hubby is the youngest and is not used to babies. He is concerned. I think he should be fine but I want him to feel better and I don't mind a refresher as well. I was a Nanny for a while so being around babies and children does not bother me. I am nervous on if I am mature enough for my own though lol.
I think one thing that helps me tremendously and call me crazy but I do not use the word "pain" when I talk or think about childbirth. I like to take that out of my vocabulary and just think of my muscles contracting and my baby helping me push them into the world. It helps me gain control of the whole mental perspective that I have of birth. By the time labor rolls around, you literally do feel ready. You are ready to give birth.
I think stress plays a big role in labor too--- my first birth I was very relaxed and my labor was quick. My 2nd birth I was a little more stressed, I went to the hospital too early and felt like I was under pressure to perform which slowed down the process. So this time I want to really concentrate and stay in my own zone.
That makes sense. Because the word pain is what is throwing me off. I don't know what to expect.
Hey ok I am freaking out a lil.. Idk what happened but I was up 13.5 pounds then I lost 3 pounds and it seems I gained 10 pounds in 2 weeks. OMG! I know I am constipated but that is usually only in account for 2 to 3 pounds. And I know my belly is finally growing bigger but that just seems like A LOT! I know I am not allowed to stress but please!
That's a great technique. I never thought about anything like that, but it takes something that sounds negative and turns it into something positive. Something that is easier to focus. Thanks for sharing that!
You are certainly welcome, it refreshes my mind every time. Something that always stays in my mind that might sound silly but did you ever see a cat give birth? They purr the whole time. I think that's amazing. They keep themselves in a relaxed and loving state.
PutterGirl I am so with you on the constipation, but mine can actually throw me off about 5 lbs I swear. I think omg I gained 5 lbs this week what did I eat, then my body goes back to normal and I lose the weight. Everything just stays in our digestive tracks longer so we get the maximum minerals.