We had our final visit with the doula before B-Day. She has been wonderful and I'm a lot less apprehensive about the upcoming ordeal overall. I think Aaron is too. We learned last night how to swaddle. Aaron, the master gift wrapper and bed maker, did a fabulous job on our honey bee winnie the pooh stuff animal. Meanwhile, me, who dumps presents in gift bags and last made my bed....ummm....a long time ago, did an adequate job. Glad we got the swaddle me blanket - I'll probably just dump The Kid in that.
We also prepared for labor and delivery some more. We did an ice exercise to practice pain management with breathing and relaxation techniques. For the first round we both had to hold a piece of ice in one hand for 60 seconds. Not so bad, we both handled it ok. The next round, a piece of ice in each hand for 60 seconds. A little more uncomfortable, but we focused on breathing - in through the nose out of the mouth and focusing on something in the room. The doula mentioned how focused Aaron was - turns out he was staring at the light switch and thinking about all the electrical work he had to do. I didn't think the same would work for me.
Next round, both hands holding ice, plunged into a bucket of ice and water for 60 seconds. Much worse. Breathe in through the nose out of the mouth, relax jaw, thank goodness for yoga. See Aaron suffering a bit and hear him struggling to breathe properly. Think of how much he just wanted me to get the epidural. Do women really have a higher pain tolerance than men? I seem to be coping better than Aaron...this all strikes me as incredibly funny and I start to giggle. I'm the worse partner ever - thank goodness, I think, I'm not the coach.
OK, now I have to really focus on the next exercise - same as before but 90 seconds in the bucket. OK, hands are a bit numb now so it isn't so bad. Breathe and focus. Listen to Aaron suffering. Oh, no having to fight the giggles! But the laughter makes me forget the pain! Ha! Wouldn't it be funny if we just brought a bag of ice to labor and delivery and all Aaron had to do to coach me is dunk his hands in a bucket of ice water?? Wouldn't that be hilarious?
I completely lost it - standing there with my hands in a bucket of ice water with my poor husband suffering across from me. In retrospect, and so I don't sound like a complete sadist, I do appreciate the fact that I'll be the one going through the pains of giving birth and that Aaron, with his low pain tolerance, isn't.
I think the doula may be a little concerned about our relationship after last night. But hey, whatever works. And it just might be laughter for me. Something tells me though that it will be harder to find humor in things come the big day. Nevertheless, Aaron is considering bringing a book of puns - which not only will I find funny, but will cause him (a much more humane type of) pain, which may add to my giddiness.
I love the image of you giggling throught your labor. I bet you can do it, too. I've never had labor pains before, but one thing I've found comforting since recovering from my "Brain Disease" is the thought that no matter how desperately awful I felt during those moments, they passed. There was nothing I had to do (or could do) but "be" until they passed. Practical Zen 101. It's like I'm less scared of feeling desperate. I have no idea if that will apply to labor pains, but I hope so!
Thanks for sharing the story! [And Aaron, your pictoral description is apt!]
Here's one that always makes Shanna laugh and me cry:
What's brown and sticky? A stick.
Here's what I don't understand about that exercise in pain. I have seen you shivering and talking about how cold your fingers are in Vegas in 110 degree weather so how can ice cubes be a problem for you if your fingers are always freezing? And I also want to add that I can not wait for the birth video because it just may be the first ever taken where there is not a single shot of the mother because the video spends the entrire time watching the father slipping, tripping, bumping into things, falling down, and complaining non-stop that no one is paying enough attention to him.