Week 34

We're just about ready for BL to be born and become a real member of our household! This morning, we went to a 4-hour childbirth class to learn about labor and delivery. John almost didn't go because he's sick and didn't want to infect all the other pregnant women, but we decided he would probably be able to keep his germs under control! We were almost certainly the youngest ones there. We learned about all the different choices you can make, as well as all the outcomes that really aren't under your control at all. It surprised me that only one other woman besides me said she was not planning to have an epidural. I may end up having one in the end of course, but it seems a little odd for the majority of first-time moms not to even give themselves the chance. But given that I'm going to try not to have one, it was very helpful to us to also learn different breathing/relaxation techniques. I thought it was good that your "coach" (that would be John) really has a role in all of them. We're supposed to practice them every night, but we might feel too silly, especially when there's no pain.

We also picked up a few other baby things that we wanted to have before the baby gets here: diapers, a diaper pail, diaper bag, and some nursing supplies. I hope I don't have too much trouble nursing...it actually seems pretty complicated sometimes! No matter how much I read, it seems like something I won't really understand until I do it. I'm a little scared of getting too tired...we did get a breast pump so that maybe John can feed her sometimes and let me sleep a little longer, but I know I probably still can't expect to get a full night's sleep. Thank goodness my schedule is so flexible!

We also saw the movie "Juno" last night. I did like it, and of course I teared up during the birth scene. Initially I was afraid it would take the whole pregnancy thing too lightly for me in my present state, but it did a great job of dealing with that subject, in my opinion. John and I both recommend it. We were commenting afterward that the ability to just go to a movie at 9pm on a Friday night on a whim is one that we really won't have very much longer at all.