Mindi - here's an online class. That'll help you to not go in blind!

http://www.babycenter.com/childbirth-class

I think I get a lot more sympathy from my wife because eventually, she's planning to do this, too. We both thing it's going to be a LOT harder on her (I am more physically fit and more used to physical discomfort with my shoulder and all), so she's mostly in awe of how well I'm handling it.

Also, I think it can be hard for men (who are very oriented to "fix" problems as they come up) to see that the woman they love is in pain/uncomfortable, and they really can't DO anything about it. It's an unhappy place for them to be! So some (unfairly to their spouses) will minimize the problem, so they feel less bad about the fact that their wife has to be miserable. Apparently a LOT of them do this during labor.

Bargoo - is your family local? If so, we might end up in the same hospital!

Unfortunately they are over 100 miles a way, wish they were here. PS I am within walking distance of Sutter Hosspital in Davis. What hospital are you going to go to ?

I'd love to believe my husband is one of the "minimizers" you're talking about...but I think he just literally believes it's no big deal. Even though his mother nearly died giving birth to his younger brother (he was 8 and remembers it all very clearly). So maybe, then, he's just in denial or something. He's also one of those guys who believes everything is worse for him than me. If I'm tired, he's been tired every day of his adult life and my tiredness is no big thing. If my back hurts, his back has hurt for years due to a bulging disc. You name it, he can top it. I get ZERO sympathy. Not even so much as a BACK RUB in 8 months now, no matter how much I ask.

But we were watching one of those Discovery Health or TLC childbirth shows last weekend, and the women were in labor without an epidural. His only comment was that it couldn't be THAT bad when they were crying and yelling, and if they were "such wimps" why didn't they get an epidural.

I wanted to smack him! "Wimps" during childbirth? Really? Almost makes me want to go natural just to show him what's up.

Thanks for the link!! I'm looking into it right now!!

MindiV, there is an old saying that if every husband had to give birth to the second child there would never be more than 2 children in a family.
Not saying that any of you will do this but it is not uncommon for women in labor to royally cuss their DH/SO.....goes something like this"You SOB don't ever touch me again".
Sorry your husband is not more understanding he may change his mind when he sees what childbirth is really like.
We all know women are tougher than men.

Oh, I know I'm far tougher than he is. He just thinks I'm a wimp.

He'd DIE if I cussed him. He hasn't ever to this day heard me curse at all. Nobody has. I'm weird...I'll do it when I'm alone, but never around another person. Literally may have to administer CPR to him in the delivery room if I called him anything or said any sort of derogatory word....might be worth it.

Not saying you would but childbirth is stressful but at the same time exciting and exhilarating, a wonderful experience.

I'm having the world's worst baby shower. Or maybe I'm having it.

Invitations went out yesterday, and today my co-worker, who did the invites, gets a call from someone very confused. You see, she put the wrong date on all of the invitations. Instead of April 14, she put down May 14. I may have a baby by then, or be in labor.

So they've gotta be reprinted and re-sent next week. This whole thing is a nightmare.

Baby grandaughter Faith arrived last night by C Section, 6 pounds 14 ounces, everybody is doing fine.

Congrats Bargoo.

Madalinn - Your babymoon sounds lovely!

Mindi - sorry your DH is being unsympathetic :(

Had my 28 week (actually I was 28w3d) apt on Friday with my back up midwife and all was well. I was measuring 2 weeks ahead but I have been since they have been measuring me. She said the baby didn't feel overly big though. Also said the HB sounded girlish :) Baby was very active last week and earlier this week but the last few days has been lazy, still moving around but just not too many big kicks.

Not much more to update. Hope everyone has a great week!

Bargoo- Congrats on the new addition in the family =]

Mindi- That really sucks about the baby shower. I hope things turn out much better than they are currently sounding!

Got the nursery set up and ready to go! It was the first thing we did when we finally started getting the rooms cleaned and put together. everything else is still a work in progress. DF told me he actually admires that I still help even though i'm in soo much pain and he's glad I don't use pregnancy as an excuse to get out of doing anything and everything like the women in his family do. Felt weird for him to actually acknowledge something to do with the pregnancy itself.

Baby A is healthy, measuring a bit big with a heartrate around 157 beats per minute. I forgot to ask what my fundal height was this appointment because I got to talking with my doctor about other things. He's been super active today as well. The thought of labor really scares me as I have no idea what to really expect. As I get closer, I get more nervous and nothing eases my mind :?:

I'm having the shower from **** apparently. I got a copy do the invite well after they went out...apparently someone came up with the idea of a money tree. Research online said its "ok" if it isn't the only option...but I don't like the idea at all. DHs granny called and is horrified by it and doesn't even want to come now. I wish they'd asked me...I'm SO embarrassed!

Can't sleep for crap tonight but felt baby boy have the hiccups for the first time tonight!!!! I guess good things come out of insomnia.

Hi everyone.
Scary day yesterday. My indoor cat Figured out we're trying to put her outside (Because she's beating up my 15 year old cat for run of the house , and marking everywhere and that's a big no, no) so after Dh failed to corner her I wandered by and picked her up. She hates people and never lets Dh within five feet of her, but she'll let me pet her but never pick her up. So she mauled me.
Right hand and wrist is shreded. Lots of shallow scratches, some deep bites. some scratches on my left arm.
Bleed like never before. Dh has never seen me bleed like that (and he hates other people's blood) I'm so glad the cat ran and hid as soon as I dropped her because he totally would of killed her. I've never seen him so pissed. @.@
Washed and cleaned the cuts and I have a Dr. appointment today anyways so I'll have them looked at.
Needless to say the cat is still in the house, and wont let anyone anywhere close to her. we'll have to figure out a way to get her out. because she's still beating up my old baby. >.<

I'm so sorry, Sakai! That's scary!

I'm just a hormonal mess today. My mother is making my life **** and schoolwork feels overwhelming today. I just want to sleep but can't.