Antenatal class No1

We had our first antenatal class yesterday and it was really good. It was very interesting and we both learnt a lot. It was nice meeting other mothers/fathers to be and realise that we are not alone not knowing much.

We spoke mostly about natural birth, the three stages and what we are about to go through. We did get to see a movie and even though the actual scene of the baby coming out was very short it just didn’t make me feel too good.

The midwife was lovely and quite passionate about labour and babies. I hope they’re all like that.

Even though it was very useful to get information about what will happen, it also made me a lot more nervous and I have more questions now than before. As a result I didn’t sleep very well last night, and when I did I dreamt about going to hospital but I was always too early and got sent home. Then it just got more and more bizarre.

I want to try to have a natural birth. You never know what will happen or how you’ll feel but I’ll at least go in with the motivation to have as little painkillers I can. I do prefer not to have the epidural because I don’t like the sound of someone sticking something into my spine. Scary!

However, one should never say never. And as a friend told me today, who has just had a baby and an epidural, you shouldn’t feel guilty or disappointed with yourself if you end up having one. It is not a competition about who can have least painkillers. True, nothing is a competition!

The most confusing about labour is that everyone is so different and it feels like you never get a straight answer. It would be so nice for someone to actually tell you exactly when to call your husband, call the hospital, go to hospital etc. The answer you get is always a bit blurry because, well, there is no real easy answer. Everyone is different.

I love it when they say, ‘if your contractions start at night try to sleep and rest’. Yeah right...would any mother-to-be with contractions be able to sleep. I certainly will not. I will be too excited, in pain I imagine and a bit scared for what is coming.

I will wake my husband straight away to keep me company! I think we should practice some card games to keep us entertained during these long hours it sounds like it is.

Got to go, but this is a big topic at the moment and there are lots to say. Hope I can sleep better tonight!

Have fun!

Christina