Birthing Class Numero Uno

First off- I boycotted my 3 hr glucose test. I'll take it Thursday instead.

Now, for the fun stuff. Tonight was our first birthing class! It was actually quite fun. They showed a "Introduction to pregnancy" video- FYI, probably not necessary in a birthing class but it was ok. We also practiced our relaxation techniques. I'll admit- I didn't practice very hard. I felt really stupid pretending to be in labor in a class full of other women pretending to be in labor. Plus I was to busy thinking how funny things were gonna get when all 12 or so of us 7 months plus pregnant ladies tried to get off the floor. I think Chris got annoyed with me...But it was really funny to see these other ladies try and get up, haha. The neat thing was we got a whole list of birthing affirmations which were pretty neat. I think I'm gonna post a new one on my blog every so often. I also am in the process of making a labor playlist on my ipod. I'm really really hoping to have an unmedicated birth and so I want something to help relax/focus me. I think I'm going to have Chris record all the affirmations and load them into the playlist as well in between songs to help me focus.

Anyways- the super cool part was the tour of labor and delivery. I learned very quickly the perks of delivery in a new hospital! First off- the labor and delivery area is kind of like Fort Knox. If you try and enter without first getting buzzed in you will set off an alarm and the nurses will stop you. Also- the nurses wear a GPS tracker so that they can be found ASAP if needed. The babies also wear a GPS tracker/alarm in case someone were to try and take them they can be found ASAP and if you take a baby to close to the exit doors with the tracker still on it sets off a different alarm. Only the nurses can take the tracker off and they do so before you leave the hospital. Neat. The rooms are also really cool too. You start off in the triage room- unless you are obviously in labor. The triage room is where they assess you and make sure you are actually in labor etc. Then off to the laboring room. This is a HUGE room with a sleeper sofa for your coach and a little waiting area. There is tons of room so you can walk around or use a birthing ball and a huge shower if you want to get in there for a bit. The hospital is very big about keeping mom and baby together at all times so the equipment for tests and baths after labor is in that room also so the baby doesn't have to leave. In fact, they don't like to take the baby to the nursery at all and won't unless mom asks them to- again, super neat. After the labor room you go to the mommy baby room. This is basically a small apartment so you can bond with your baby. They let the newborn stay in there with you and you hubby/boyfriend/whoever so everyone can bond. There is also a closet to store stuff and things for the baby like diapers, hats and clothes. You also get a free dinner- this is the best part to me!-filet mignon or lobster tails! Yum-o! I wanted my meal in advance lol! They also have a room for nervous parents where they can stay overnight an extra night and give the baby care a shot alone but still with nurses around in case you still need help. They said mostly parents who are getting their babies out of nicu will use the room but if its available anyone can use it. Another comforting thing is that while the national rate of c-sections is something like 40% the Arnett rate of c-sections is only 21%. Huge relief for me!

I think that about covers everything from class one. Next week we go over the labor and delivery process so I pry won't be as optimistic after that class, but until then.... Oh, and I think it just hit Chris upside the head tonight that he could be a daddy in as soon as 7 weeks- 10 weeks if we make it full term. He came home and started messing around with the baby monitor to make sure it worked and that we could hear it all over the house. I'm thinking he wishes his little girl could come home with a GPS tracker, lol.