Last night was the first of six prenatal classes we’ll be attending over the next month and a half. The class is run by our regional Health Department, and the best part of it so far is that it is free! We’re going to cover a whole range of topics including:  

-  Healthy Eating and coping with changes to your body and emotions

-  Getting ready to parent (preventing pre-term labor, crib and car seat safety)

-  Birth (yikes….this is the big one!)

-  Breastfeeding

-  The First Year after Birth (coping in the early weeks, baby-proofing, growth and development)

-  Caring for Baby (bathing, diapering, health, when to see a doctor)  

I’m really pleased with the range of topics that are going to be covered. Normally I’m a big researcher, but I’ve been slacking a little in the ‘taking care of baby’ department. I can tell you which products we want to get, but when it comes to how we’ll actually take care of these babies kicking around inside me…I’m a little lost.  

My first impression when we got into the class was that it was strange to be around a big group of pregnant women. Naturally I checked the other preggos out to see how my bump compares to theirs. I was surprised (and pleased) to see that most of the bumps were around the same size as mine. Maybe I’m not as massive as I thought. And then we did introductions and had to say who you were, when you’re due and where you’re delivering. We were the only couple expecting twins, and when the others started throwing out their due dates I realized that my due dates is probably 4-6 weeks after most of theirs! So yeah, I guess I am big….  

One of the things I liked about the class was at one point the instructor put the women in a group and the men in a group. The women brainstormed different physical and emotional changes we’ve gone through in our pregnancies, and it was really interesting to hear that a lot of what I am going through is not unique. A lot of the other women are suffering from heartburn, and are really tired, and are finding their legs and feet swollen.  And while I know that what I’m going through is similar to what other pregnant women have gone through since the beginning of time, it was still reassuring to hear from others how they are feeling.  

So, one class down and five more to go. I can’t quite believe we’re at the ‘taking prenatal classes’ stage. And I really can’t believe that tomorrow we have an appointment at the hospital to discuss the birth. Already?? Again…I don’t think I’m quite ready for this.