Partner Childbirth Class

Last Wednesday we went to our first class, "Preparing Partners for Childbirth". We are the only two mom couple out of the nine in our class. For a few minutes I did feel a little awkward being the only non pregnant female in the class but my awkwardness subsided once we got settled on our yoga mats. The class is held at a spacious and light studio about 15 mins away by bike. We have two teachers who are pretty well known in Amsterdam for their classes. They talked a lot about childbirth and preparing yourself to be relaxed. A month before our due date, Jackie starts her maternity leave in order to not be distracted by work and to focus on her body. Natural childbirth is the expectation here and I would also say having a homebirth is also expected and encouraged. More recently, hospitals and birth centers are becoming a more frequent choice. Our minds are not made up about where we'll have the birth. We are open to at home or in the birthing center which is next to the hospital. I will support whatever Jackie wants in order to feel comfortable. I found the class to be really empowering for the birthing moms and partners. We participated in some movement exercises alone and with our partners, the excercises are for gaining leg strength. I really have to work on this so that Jackie can put all of her weight on me during labor! At one point, the dads and me had to sit against the wall w/ out partners in our laps and wrap our hands around the pregnant belly. Well, this works a lot better with a mom and dad - I had to stretch so far and was basically hidden behind Jackie! The teachers also talked to us about relationship challenges and we had to sit facing each other and discuss things that we can improve together as a couple. So I'll be really trying to help out around the house so Jackie and rest and grow our babywazz. At the end of the class we learned a partner massage. Jackie sat facing me with her legs over my crossed legs. I put my hands on her belly to feel the energy and then I slowly moved my hands down towards her pelvis, focusing on the energy as I moved down. It was quite the shared intimate moment!! Doing this massage is the number one thing we were told to do because it'll help Jackie relax her muscles and focus on her birth. Our next class is in a month. Jackie starts pregnancy yoga at the same studio when she returns from her biz trip to California - I hope she really enjoys it!

Right now we are 23 w and 2 days. Time to get babywazz's room set up!!