“a study reported in the Family Practice Research Journal way back in 1991 showed that mothers who exercised 20 minutes three times a week for at least 20 weeks of their pregnancy had shorter second stages [of labor] and fewer complications during labor than mothers who didn’t exercise.”
http://www.birthingnaturally.net/exercise/fitness.html
That is one more reason to continue exercising for the next 7.5 weeks. Provided, I have not been exercising like I did pre-pregnancy (although I wish I had been!), but I have kept fairly active by walking at the gym and doing Yoga. I wish now that I had been doing more, just because I know I could have, but I guess I will know better next time! (Next time I won’t stop running when I find out I am expecting!)
I cannot praise my Yoga instructor enough! We go to church with her (as I have mentioned before) and teaches at the Y; she is amazing with all her tips for pre-labor and laboring positions. She also let me borrow the “Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way” which is based on the Bradley Method for a natural childbirth. The classes are not offered here in town and are much different (more natural) than the Lamaze classes. We are taking the “prepared childbirth” class, which is educating, but I am starting to regret it simply because it is mostly not how I want to have my baby. BUT, the great thing is the instructor (who is a L&D nurse) knows the ins and outs of our hospital and their procedures so she can literally answer any questions we have about the hospital.
Oh, speaking of which, this is what I have decided, and I am not sure why it took me 8 months to figure it out!!! (And don’t laugh) Until this week, I had educated myself on all the medications, their negative effects, the reasons not to use them, and the pain/fear or labor. I had not, however, educated myself on what to do for a natural childbirth, what it was like, or exactly what happens (if that makes sense?). Why did it take me this long to realize that NOT knowing is what is so terrifying, and that if you know what you are getting into, and how the body works you will be just fine?! Well, I realized that like Wednesday. And, after much reading and research I have decided-I can do this! There is no reason why I should fear what my body was made to do naturally. Now, if there are complications or unexpectedly loooong hours of un-progressing labor then maybe we will go to plan B (with me, you should know there will be a plan B). However, there is no need for me to fear what God created my body to do for my child and myself. And honestly, it just feels right-like the right thing to do. So, after much prayer and consideration, this is my plan A: a natural childbirth in a hospital.
I don’t expect everyone to understand and that is fine. Like I mentioned before, it is a decision you make for you and your family, what is best for you. J. and I just feel like this is best for us; and what is even better is that he totally, 100% supports whatever decision I make. So, I found some books for him, since he will be my coach and those should be here very soon. He seems excited to be a part of it. It isn’t scary to me after educating myself on what is going to happen. So now, when people ask or if it comes up in conversation (and it usually does..) I am going to say with confidence, that we have decided to have a natural childbirth. No cop outs of the whole, “oh, but I may give in and do an epi later.” Whether I give in or not at this point is not an option, because the whole thing is a mind-set, and I have my mind-set on doing what I feel is best and what I want to experience with my family. And I feel so great about it!!
