This evening we had our fifth prenatal class. Sadly, just two more classes to go!! :-(
I have really enjoyed these classes. I can't say I've learned much in them as I seem to have learned much of what is taught by watching my sisters and friends with their babies; and asking lots of questions along the way :-)
I have however thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship with the other mommy and daddy couples and the whole 'experiance' of the prenatal classes overall. It has been a lot of fun; something I look forward to each week. I would highly recommend any new mommy and daddy take these classes.
Tonight we learned about breastfeeding and postpartum depression. The breastfeeding segment I found rather interesting; however, I wish the classes we more interactive. I have friends who had classes where they got to practice lamaze breathing, try out proper baby positions with a doll for breastfeeding, etc. In my class, we are more 'taught' on what to do as oppose to test and trial.
Anyhow, in these classes, if Dennard has a question, he is usually too shy to ask on his own. He usually nudges me, whispers his question to me and then says 'ask that!'-lol.
It's rather funny to watch us. We are always whispering and giggling; which I am sure can be a distraction and annoyance to some in the class at times :-S lol
When it came to the teachings on postpartum depression before and after child birth, Dennard seemed to perk up! Dennard feels postpartum depression is somewhat in 'the mind' and 'emotions' of a woman and can be controlled-to some extent. He feels that many woman just use "postpartum" as an excuse for their own uncontrolled emotions and that doctors are so quick to label someone with a sickness or disorder before really looking into each case. He is right!
So, to try and see where our teacher stands and what she believes re: this depression, he asked a billion questions! His hand was up in the air more than it was down-lol
To make a long story short, his questions more or less came across like he was enquiring on the depression because it's something "I" struggle with currently. LOL
With each question and comment, my face went more red. I looked at my teachers face to find a face of "understanding" and "sympathy ". I thought "Oh gosh....she and the rest of this class probably think I am suffering from pre-postpartum depression!!!".
A little embarrassed, I said out loud after Dennard's last comment "are there pills that can be given to help with postpartum?... I laughed and said "I don't have any of those symptoms for the depression just to let you know!".
The whole class broke out in laughter, including Dennard! He said "Oh...no,no...I am not asking for her...I am just asking in general!". The whole class was in a roar of laughter; including myself!
We had quite the laugh on the way to the car. This is a class I will not forget, nor will Dennard! lol
Next weeks lesson is "Daddy and Me". I am looking forward to it. It's all about how dad's can take care and bond with their baby's :-)
Aww how funny!
ReplyDeleteMy prenatal classes didn't teach positions either or breathing exercises. I went online for that, and then when your baby is born you will have a consultant help you with position and during your delivery my nurse at Credit Valley gave the BEST breathing help and I used it with Vivi and it was amazing!!!
ok so I'm going to be brave and comment on the PPD. lol. So this is as real as baby kicking in the tummy.lol
not everyone is affected by it, and not everyone is affected the same. I had Post Partum anxiety for example with Daniel. I couldn't leave the house without carlos, I constantly was planning escape routes as I believed the building was going to fall down and crush the baby. I honestly spent every night fearing the world around me. I just couldn't protect my baby enough from the real world. Carlos and I would pray so hard everyday and it was just a constant battle. Then the reality of your body not being the same, the hot sweats in the middle of the night that leave you sitting in a puddle, the sleep deprevation...it all contributes to a deteriation of your mental health. Daniel had colic, and didn't sleep more then 40 minutes at a time day or night...Carlos would wear ear plugs as he needed to function for school and I would be home alone all day. I became more and more isolated. I didn't get myself medicated, but came close. I knew how irrational my fears were and I forced myself to go to Early Years and meet up with other moms and talk about what I was struggling with. It helped me. I also stopped listening to the news, or any story about moms & babies that weren't happy stories..lol Evenually I was able to function normally again, but it took close to a year.
With vivian I knew the signs and was better able to detect things and work them through. It also helps to have a strong suppport system and lots of help when baby arrives, so that you can get sleep, shower, dress yourself...etc..
Your labour and delivery will also play into it. My labour was 24 hours, then baby arrived and the hospital doesn't just take the baby and let you get some sleep. Suddenly your night is just begining. They wake you up every 2 hours, and that can also be where your brain and body just check out! lol
With babies come hormones, hair loss, hot sweats, sleepless nights, physical recovery, mental awareness of how helpless this baby is.. every driver on the road, every sneeze and cough...lol you realise you can no longer protect this baby the way you have been and that can be difficult.
SO I say all of that to say that hopefully you will not experience anything like that and find yourself in utter bliss from the first contraction to arrival of your beautiful baby!
Either way, whatever case, it doesn't look the same for everyone, and I know that you'll have lots of help around you. What ever your experience just know that its normal, and there are lots of us who are happy to share stories to make you feel normal..lol
Enjoy every moment and just make sure your surrounding yourself with people you can honestly talk to :)
Love you Devin!! and really hope that everything goes perfectly for you!