26 weeks and childbirth class
Depending on who you ask you may get a different answer to when the 3rd trimester begins. Since I’ll be having these little ones sooner then 40 weeks I’m going to go with the 26 week mark. I’ve experienced a lot of changes lately so identifying with the 3rd trimester makes sense.
The siatica seems to have lessened almost to none existance with only a few very rare flair ups. However in it’s place is carpal tunnel on my hands. They get very stiff and sore over night and I can barely make a fist in the morning. My finger tips tingle and it’s very weird because I loose feeling in them. Sunday I bought a brace for my right wrist, wore it to bed last night and it seems to have helped. Here is a good write up about pregnancy carpal: http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/prenatalhealth/234.html
I try to be aware of when I am asking friends to do something that they don’t really want to do, something that they may not be interested in. I don’t want someone to do something with me just to make me happy, I want them to do it with me because they want to, because it’s interesting for them too. I’d been getting some interesting questions from Wendy over the past month regarding the childbirth class so I had a feeling it wasn’t something she was looking forward to or interested in doing with me. Wendy has been there and done that and has the wonderful Avery to show for it but every person is different in their approach to an experience and for me it makes sense to have a birth coach who shares the same approach that I do. I know that Wendy will definitely be an invaluable partner to me in the labor and delivery process but it was starting to be obvious to us both that the childbirth class wasn’t the best fit.
Dusty had set the expecation for me years ago that he would not be able be in the room with me because of his discomfort with hospitals, body fluids, pain, etc. I have confirmed with him time and time again in this situation and he still feels very uncomfortable and asked that I find someone else to be there for me through those moments. I have a profound respect for his honesty about this and it doesn’t bother me. I know some women would be bothered by this but I’ve always felt that I’d be fine with him just on the other side of the door waiting to come hold the babies when all is said and done.
So Friday afternoon after the kind of conversation with Wendy that only best friends can have, I asked Brad if he would be my labor coach. He and I have been working on breathing, yoga, and other meditation oriented things for many months now and I know that he shares a similar mindset with me in these kinds of things. And I feel a strong connection between these and methods of dealing with childbirth pains. Brad has supported me through so many unusual circumstances in the past year. He has been excited and supportive through the pregnancy and was more then willing to join me in the class and assist in the labor and delivery.
Saturday we headed to the class which is two Saturdays from 9 – 4. It is taught by my OB’s head nurse and it was very informative. She doesn’t teach with a focus on Lamaze or Bradley, it’s more of a general overview touching on various techniques as well as some videos of births and explanations about the process of birth and what to expect. We also toured the hospital across the street where I will be giving birth, Seton. It was fun to see Cathy outside of the usual craziness of the office and see her funny side. I am glad that I am taking these classes and feel like I’m learning more and putting a lot into perspective. Next week we will be talking about induced labor, cesareans, etc. As much as I wish I didn’t need to know about these things, the reality of my twin situation is that I do.
I confirmed that no matter what the situation I will not be in a regular labor and delivery room but in a cesarean room which unfortunately I wasn’t allowed to see with the tour. I am curious to find out if that means I can still have a few people in with me as my coaches or if I will have to follow the c-section rule of just one person even if it’s not a c-section. I have a lot of questions but expect them to be answered in the coming months.
Today I have my weekly visit with Laura for the Preterm Labor Prevention Program. I expect I’ve put on about 2 lbs. I am also going to drop by a maternity store and buy a nice maternity belt (Mom-Ez brand) because it’s starting to get very hard to do much of anything because of the pressure on my back and stomach.
Honestly, it’s starting to get hard. I can hardly walk much without it being difficult and uncomfortable. I have trouble sleeping unless I’m exhausted. Considering I’m about the size of a woman who is in the last month of her pregnancy with a single baby this isn’t surprising. Unfortunately I have over two more months to go. I have to stay focused and positive because sometimes it’s easy to let physical discomfort really drag me down mentally. “Keep your eyes on the prize”, when the prize is those two beautiful boys, Forest and Logan, I can do it.
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