Squirming and squeaming

Does my voice make you squirm? When I call you, do you start moving uncomfortably when you hear it's me? This is the case with Baby. Well, maybe Baby is not squirming or uncomfortable; maybe that's just the only way it knows how to respond and communicate that it hears me.

At the suggestion of our baby class instructor, I've tried communicating more directly with Baby - not just putting my hands on Sarah's stomach, which caused Baby to press back with its head after a couple minutes. But now, after speaking to it (our baby books say Baby is well into the stage in which it can hear from inside there), I can even wake Baby up and make it respond with my voice. It squirms and presses back on my hand, although this makes Sarah physically uncomfortable when it moves a lot. But this is fun - I feel like I'm bonding with Baby already.

We had the second session of our baby class last night. We talked about what the signs of labor are. One topic was epidurals. I almost had to excuse myself from the room when the topic came up. I am allowed to - and plan to - be in the delivery room. But there are some parts of it - even aside from an epidural or C-section or anything medical - that I am wondering if I can handle. I am very squeamish when it comes to injections or the sight of blood or the thought of any kind of surgery. So after the class I told Sarah that I would be there in the delivery room to support her, but if the need arises for an epidural, I told her I would definitely be leaving the room for a few minutes. If I should stay during this time, I think I would faint or vomit and then be no good for the rest of the labor.

Many parts of the labor were described in detail, and it was all very helpful. One message came through clearly - one has no control over the timing of it all. I think this will be a good first test for us (especially Sarah, the real planner and list-maker!). It will be only the beginning of a new, unpredictable life with a child!