Sloooow down.
I just attended my first birthing class last week. It was good, really nice. I like the instructor fine, she's new and very nice and, well I have to admit I was hoping for an instant, karmic, kindred spirit kind of connection. but that's okay. She's nice and has been through 3 births using this Bradley Method. www.bradleymethod.com. she went through the intro to the class, what this method is all about, do's and don'ts and exercises to get started on.
Mandi: you know you shouldn't lay on your back, right? (in a very sweet voice)
Linda: why.
Mandi: well because the heavy uterus is pressing on important blood vessels....
Linda: well I was told just recently by a midwife that it's not a problem.
Mandi: oh, okay. well probably they mean especially in the last trimester when the uterus is REALLY big and heavy.
(later in the class)
Mandi: you all have heard about Kegel exercises right?
Us: yes
Mandi: you want to do these 50x day, at any time, driving your car, sitting at computer, watching tv, making love...(interupted by Linda)
Linda: I actually have a PT friend who is in women's health and she strongly recommends against practicing this while you're peeing.
Mandi: against this?
Linda: yes, because you're then training the muscle to prevent full drainage of urine which could lead to UTI's.
Mandi: oh. well I think we just teach that it's okay to test your strength by 'trying' it while you're peeing, but not to practice it while you're peeing.
(later in the class) the exercise: pelvic rocking
Mandi: okay, get on all fours and now tilt your pelvis under and then arch your back and tilt it the other way.
Linda: this can also be done sitting on a physioball.
Kelly (other preg mom): how do you do that?
Linda: (proceeds to slip into PT mode and explain how to do this and why it's so great).
(a little bit exaggerated on the last one up there. i actually did ask nicely if that exercise could also be done on the ball or if there's a reason why it's better to do with against gravity.)
another exercise: the Butterfly.
Mandi: sit facing your partner with feet flat on floor, knees bent. now, dads, you're going to place your hands on the outside part of her knees and gently give resistance as the moms press against your to slowly open legs and allow them to move toward the floor. This strengthens the inner part of your thigh which is helpful during childbirth.
Linda: (thinking to herself only, thank GOD!) well, actually it strengthens the outer part of the hip muscles...the abductors, not the inner part.
Okay - so I'm thinking to myself much afterwards...Linda, soften, soften, soften. Why do you come across so curt and know-it-all-ish. just let the new nice teacher teach and feel confident teaching.
She super nice. This is her 2nd class and therefore we're getting a big fat discount. and I'm sure when I let my resistance down I will indeed feel a genuine connection to her.
last advice of the night..
Mandi: Slooow down. Make time to learn how to relax in the midst of chaos. It'll do ya good, especially in childbirth.
That, I did not argue with.
Mandi: you know you shouldn't lay on your back, right? (in a very sweet voice)
Linda: why.
Mandi: well because the heavy uterus is pressing on important blood vessels....
Linda: well I was told just recently by a midwife that it's not a problem.
Mandi: oh, okay. well probably they mean especially in the last trimester when the uterus is REALLY big and heavy.
(later in the class)
Mandi: you all have heard about Kegel exercises right?
Us: yes
Mandi: you want to do these 50x day, at any time, driving your car, sitting at computer, watching tv, making love...(interupted by Linda)
Linda: I actually have a PT friend who is in women's health and she strongly recommends against practicing this while you're peeing.
Mandi: against this?
Linda: yes, because you're then training the muscle to prevent full drainage of urine which could lead to UTI's.
Mandi: oh. well I think we just teach that it's okay to test your strength by 'trying' it while you're peeing, but not to practice it while you're peeing.
(later in the class) the exercise: pelvic rocking
Mandi: okay, get on all fours and now tilt your pelvis under and then arch your back and tilt it the other way.
Linda: this can also be done sitting on a physioball.
Kelly (other preg mom): how do you do that?
Linda: (proceeds to slip into PT mode and explain how to do this and why it's so great).
(a little bit exaggerated on the last one up there. i actually did ask nicely if that exercise could also be done on the ball or if there's a reason why it's better to do with against gravity.)
another exercise: the Butterfly.
Mandi: sit facing your partner with feet flat on floor, knees bent. now, dads, you're going to place your hands on the outside part of her knees and gently give resistance as the moms press against your to slowly open legs and allow them to move toward the floor. This strengthens the inner part of your thigh which is helpful during childbirth.
Linda: (thinking to herself only, thank GOD!) well, actually it strengthens the outer part of the hip muscles...the abductors, not the inner part.
Okay - so I'm thinking to myself much afterwards...Linda, soften, soften, soften. Why do you come across so curt and know-it-all-ish. just let the new nice teacher teach and feel confident teaching.
She super nice. This is her 2nd class and therefore we're getting a big fat discount. and I'm sure when I let my resistance down I will indeed feel a genuine connection to her.
last advice of the night..
Mandi: Slooow down. Make time to learn how to relax in the midst of chaos. It'll do ya good, especially in childbirth.
That, I did not argue with.
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