Pain and Childbirth

I should have updated sooner, but I had a lazy day yesterday (other than grocery and Christmas shopping). I'm addicted to a game. Here's the website: http://www.igridd.com/pages/home. Whenever I play griddlers time flies. I'm going to try to stay away from the computer today though because my back hurts really bad. On Saturday I felt better than I had for a long time. I got lots of massaging at the childbirth class and I was able to walk without a limp. I was also able to go up stairs without using the handrail. On Sunday night I had the bad idea to lay on the floor and I wrenched my back when I twisted to get up. Euclid was a little helper and stood in front of me so I could support my head on his back until Jon helped me get up. He doesn't like it when his mommy hurts. Anyway, my back has hurt since. I feel like a nerve is being pinched. Nothing seems to help so I'm just trying to take it easy and tough it out.

Our childbirth class was great and definitely worth the time. We learned some relaxation and massage techniques for labor. My favorites were effleurage (light, circular rubbing on the sides of the belly), rolling pin massage to my back while on all fours, and another back technique that involves sitting in a chair and having your labor partner push against your knees (which feels surprisingly good since it kind of settles your back). We also learned some breathing techniques, but I felt like I was hyperventilating when I tried those. Our teacher went through the stages of labor, when to call the doctor, when to come to the hospital, how to time contractions, medical interventions that could happen, and what to expect after. We got a tour of labor and delivery and of the mommy/baby suites. Also, we learned what the different protocols are concerning episiotomy (not standard), pain management (up to the patient), breastfeeding (strongly supported), plus some other stuff that I can't think of right now. The rooms are really nice and have whirlpool tubs. The mommy/baby room has a double bed so Jon will have the option of sleeping there if he wants. Now, we just need to talk them into letting Euclid come to stay also. I'm feeling up to the challenge now that I can visualize where I'll be when baby decides it's safe to come out. I haven't had any competitive labor dreams either. You'd have to sleep more deeply than I have been in order to dream.

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving. We're going to cook Cornish game hens and start decorating for Christmas. Jon has the day off so we'll get to spend time together. We're still planning to head west on Saturday. I'll probably be pretty sore after the car ride, but I want to see my family. We're bringing my hospital bag and we installed the car seat so if I have to have the baby there, then we're prepared for it. At least it would be easy for family to visit then. However, I'd probably want to make a mad dash back home because of the chance of needing a NICU at that point. I can just imagine the caravan of my family all heading east. That would be memorable. We'd have two minivans, two Avalons, and our Pacifica. I really don't think anything like that will happen. If I did, then I would stay here and not risk it.

We didn't take a 34 week picture, but we'll definitely take a picture this week. I'm sure I'm growing. It was funny how different all the pregnant women looked at the childbirth class. My long torso seems to hide a lot of baby. The only person that looked less far along than me was due in February. There was a woman there that's due a day before me, but her tummy stuck straight out in front. She was short and looked like she could tip over. I seem to be carrying my weight all over. In fact, my latest stretch marks are on my thighs. Yuck! They'll fade (I tell myself). I bought some wine at HyVee yesterday and got carded because the girl didn't notice I was pregnant until I joked about not even getting to drink any of it. I'm due in a little more than a month and I'm still not obviously pregnant to everyone and I'm apparently not obviously over 21 either. I guess neither of those things are bad. The checker was a little embarassed about carding a 28-year old pregnant woman though.