Our Third Childbirth Class

Last night in our class we went over the first and second stages of labor. It was good to get an idea of what each stage should look like.

Our workbook has an overview that I think is very interesting because it covers where you are in the birthing process as evidenced by not only physical reactions, but emotional reactions as well. Again, it's very interesting! It was also comforting because for me, it seemed to break the birthing process down into manageable steps. Granted, I realize that when I'm actually in the process, it may not FEEL that way, but I'm glad for this time to prepare my mind that it IS that way. I love that the workbook reminds me that in the moments that I feel like I can't handle labor any longer is right when the next step comes that will give me some relief. That's true in life, so it stands to reason that would be true in the birthing process.

The workbook said that at one point, you just have to surrender to what your body is doing and let it do it's thing. That struck me probably more than anything else that was said last night. I guess it struck me because as a woman of faith, surrender is something I strive for in my everyday life . . . surrender to the Holy Spirit and His work in my spiritual body as well as my physical body. My belief that every woman has the power and wisdom inside of her to give birth is based in my belief in the powerful, sustaining work of the Holy Spirit. It was good for me to be reminded that I will have to surrender. As with all things in my life, I will need the Spirit to guide me, strengthen me, sustain me and equip me to do this good work . . . surrender.

I'm feeling more and more confident that I will be able to give birth naturally, and that confidence excites me. But to be honest, I want to keep myself balanced in this and remember that ANY birthing experience I have will be a blessing and exactly what I need. I know that the Lord wants to bless me in my birthing process, but I can't say that I know exactly what that looks like. I never want to get to a place where I don't willingly take the guidance and direction of my doctor, who is a true blessing to me and also someone I deeply trust, because I become overly confident in what I want to happen in this birthing process. I know that the Lord has equipped my doctor and my nurses with knowledge, wisdom and sensibility. I want to always recognize the blessing and tools they are for me. As with everything in life, balance is the key!

Obviously, I'm still quite a ways away from actually going through these first and second stages of labor, so she said we'll cover them again before the class ends. I'll be excited to see what my thoughts are once I'm closer to the jumping off point, but again, I'm excited to have these months to get my mind processing the ideas of surrender, confidence and balance going into our birthing process. I'm feeling more and more armed and that most definitely fulfills my expectations of this class.