Birthing Classes - It's like spending an afternoon with Nancy Reagan

Mac-n-Cheese comes with directions on the box: boil water, cook noodles 8 min., add powder cheese and, if you're feeling crazy, add 1/4 a tablespoon of butter. It's quite odd really, that an American culinary staple of 3 ingredients should come with such detailed instructions, but having a baby comes with none (see just goes to show you that a woman must have created Mac-n-Cheese and god must be a man). Thankfully for all of us, there are quite a few people out there that designed classes for people like us, who have no idea what to do when the baby is ready for its debut.

Sara and I signed up for classes on the Bradley method after a little research and testimonial from our good friends Dale and Liz. The Bradley method, created by Dr. Robert Bradley, focuses on relaxation techniques designed to help mother's and their coach (Errol) achieve a natural, drug free, child birth. That's right, I think Nancy Reagan is a farce, Dr. Bradley is the true architect of the Say No To Drugs campaign.

The classes themselves have really been great. Each week we climb no less than 108 steps that were built a 60 degree angle - if you can't feel the burn, you aren't ready to birth that's my motto - not Bradley's. There are 3 other couples in our classes who are all doing their best to seem the most prepared each day. I joke, of course, but each of them have been incredibly friendly and welcoming; I just find it interesting that everyone seems like they're stressed about knowing the right answers for our review questions, especially considering the point of the Bradley Method is to relax.

Each class we learn new information about nutrition, saying no to drugs during birth, relaxation methods, saying no to drugs during birth, the birthing process, saying no to drugs during birth and exercises that can help the mothers to be prepare their body's for labor followed by - yes - saying no to drugs during birth.

So far Sara and I have learned a lot and have been trying to keep pace with our assignments. I know it's a lot of work on Sara's part but we know in the end it will all be worth it. Sara's been doing an amazing job of keeping track of her nutrition and working on her daily exercises in fact she doesn't even mind that I only respond to "Coach" now.