We had our first Bradley class on Thursday. Overall, I enjoyed it. The instructor is super nice and seems very knowledgable. Because we live so far apart, and she is giving us private classes, our meeting point is the public library near where my husband works. In a way, I think we will really benefit from being the only students in the class. We have her undivided attention, can ask all the questions we want at any time, and we get to take the videos home instead of having to sit and watch them in class. On the other hand, I think it is going to lack one of the things I was looking forward to most about childbirth class.

I had imagined sitting on the floor in class w/ DH, learning and practicing the relaxation techniques....but from the impression I got from the first class, we won't be doing that. The meeting room at the library that our instructor has reserved is very small, with just enough room for a table and chairs. I think it's going to be up to DH and I to do the relaxation practice on our own at home....which is fine....we'd have to do it anyway, since there is a different relaxation technique homework assignment in the handbook each week.

But I know DH....and I know I will have to force him to do these exercises with me. It would've been nice to at least get a jumpstart on the exercises in a classroom setting, where he has no choice but to be compliant. In DH's defense, I can understand why he probably doesn't want to mess with the exercises....they do seem kind of corny...it's tough to take it seriously because the technique is so NOT US. And what I mean by that is, we are just not very touchy-feely type people....and what I REALLY mean by that is, DH is not a very touchy-feely type person. LOL :) His least favorite thing in the universe, trumped only by getting his eyes poked out with a hot iron spear, is giving me any type of back rub or massage. Aside from getting a good-bye hug and kiss in the morning, I am lucky if I get any physical contact at all.

I've pretty much gotten used to it by now.....it's just his personality and I can't force him to be different. Besides, I've come to learn that he is wonderful at showing his affection in other ways and that's perfectly fine..... but I'm wondering how it will play out in the whole birth process, when I'm going to NEED him to stroke my hair or apply pressure to my back....when rubbing my arms and hands or patting my forehead with a cool washcloth is the only thing that might keep me comfortable and focused through a contraction. I'm afraid that we won't be prepared to work together like that.....and it makes me a little nervous.

Labels: childbirth classes