Parents in Training
As soon-to-be-parents, we have a lot of studying to do. We’ve read many pregnancy books, we’ve been online, we’ve talked to other parents, but we need classes too!
We hired a pair of doulas (I call them the DoulaDudes) to help us on the big day. A doula is not quite a midwife, more of a delivery coach who has lots of experience in the birthing process and can act as our “advocate” when doctors are making decisions around us. The DoulaDudes are giving us private lessons beforehand at their apartment. The first one was all about labour and delivery, complete with a pretend baby and a pretend pelvis. The second one which happens in November will be about childcare, because apparently these things don’t come with instruction manuals.
But wait, there’s more! Our local health clinic also offers a bunch of pre-natal classes very (very) cheaply. So far we’ve attended:
- Birth and Delivery 1
- Birth and Delivery 2
- Childcare - the most informative so far
These are group classes so we are getting to know a few other expectant parents too. We still have “Coping Strategies” and “Breast Feeding” to attend this week and next week.
I have a feeling that however much we read and learn, we will never be fully prepared for what is to come, but the more prepared we are, hopefully the smoother the whole on-the-job learning experience will be.