7 baby bumps

I just thought I would introduce you to the group of lovely people who have committed to spending the next 12 Monday nights with me. 

Aren't they something?  These are the 7 couples who are attending my summer session of natural childbirth classes.  Such a fun group they are.  This week we had a very real and enlightening (I did the enlightening) talk about bodily functions in second stage labor (or the lack of controling them).  Lots of laughing! We also talk about really official stuff like nutrition, anatomy/physiology, coping with contractions, and typical behavior patterns for the laboring mama at each phase of labor.  You know, like cussing in transition.  I am sure that I never swore- wink wink...but as a doula I have seen it all! It is so helpful for the husband to know what to expect from his wife.  I think it helps him to know how he can help her if he understands how far along she is in labor.  If she is swearing...you are in the home stretch.

I am always just so impressed by the husbands.  Each one of them contributes to the pregnancy and labor experience in his own way. It is very interesting to watch them progress with their wives. Eventually they arrive at the startling concept that there is indeed a baby growing inside their wife...and that it is indeed coming out at some point.  For some men, this doesn't happen until they first see the head emerge at the moment of birth!  Others get it much earlier.  I had once couple who underwent an in-vitro fertilization and they actually watched the conception happening on a screen in real time.  For that husband, it was very real from the get go. In any event, I am thankful that they are willing participants coming week after week to listen to me blather on about amniotic fluid and the perineum. 

(probably this is where I should give my husband props for doing the same for me. 3 times. You are the greatest labor support person any girl could ask for honey.  I am not sure that I could've done it without you- except for maybe that one birth (Hannah's) that you insisted on drinking that smelly coffee 2 inches from my face while I was working through transition in the tub.  I probably could have done without that.  Otherwise, you were a Godsend :) 

Looks like August and September are going to be busy!! Can't wait to meet all those little babes.