Over the weekend Aaron and I attended a Birthing Refresher Course, required by the Birthing Center. The instructor has been teaching the Bradley Method of Natural Birthing for over 20 years and usually holds 8-week courses. However, for the Austin Area Birthing Center, she condenses all the information into a 4.5 hour lesson. The information she taught us and the manner in which she taught it was very informational. We felt as though we learned more in those 4.5 hours than we learned throughout our many weeks at Centering.
She, of course, taught us the biological aspect of what our bodies will go through during labor/delivery as well as pain relieving techniques. She birthed 3 children naturally, so we felt she was an excellent source. We learned emotional and physical sign posts that will help us gauge where we are in the stages of labor. It feels very empowering as a women to be able to know what is happening in my body and be able to adjust accordingly, instead of freaking out and running to the hospital.
We also briefly covered bringing baby home, the things we should expect and the importance of family time. Our instructor told us to be aware of the 2 types of people that will want to come over: Type 1- The person who comes over with groceries, cooks you dinner and cleans your kitchen floor. She stated that these are the people you want in your home, because they realize what a new family needs. Type 2- The person who comes over and immediately wants to hold the baby, while doing so also asks for a cup of coffee. These people, she said, are not allowed in. No one should be asked to be entertained.
We cannot wait to use all the tools we have been given to begin our family. Doula Aaron has been taking his job very seriously, and will be the ultimate support system. Now hurry up Penelope, before we forget everything we have learned.
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