Alright so I have been a slacker, or maybe a better way to say it is just to tried to write. Energy is hard to come by in the afternoons. Sometimes a nap sounds better then doing most anything.
Although, now that I am in my second trimester I a getting a little bit of energy back. I hear it will disappear again in the third trimester.
Over the last several of weeks the idea of being pregnant has really set in, and I'm beginning to think about the future. More specifically when I give birth. Pre-pregnancy I have always leaned toward a natural birth, meaning no epidural. I myself have never been a big fan of pain killers; one being they rarely seem to help me, and if they don't help why should I have the chemicals in my body. Also my mother gave birth to three children all without an epidural. Knowing this I just always felt natural was the better way. However, natural birth was not her choice. She was forced to because epidurals where not common when she gave birth. Never the less, she affirmed to me recently that if she had the choice she would do it again. Until recently, I didn't really have much to back it up natural births, that just what I felt. However after becoming pregnant and beginning to see how many people look at me crazy for considering this I began to wonder if this is truly what I want.
The way I see it now I am still planning on a natural birth. The more I speak with people, and read about natural births it just feels like the safer way to go. I'm not whole hearty appose to an epidural, and have no problem with others making that decision. It's possible I could enter labor, and decide that I can't bare the pain and beg for an epidural. However from this point on I'm going to plan for a natural birth. By planning I will make sure I am prepared from any circumstance.
If you are planning a natural birth the best thing is to be as prepared as possible. They say studies show women who have prepared experience contractions much differently (i.e. the "pain" is perceived less as pain). We loved these classes- http://www.confidentchildbirthofatlanta.com/. We're going to take the one day "intensive" course this time but we did the 4 week class last time. I'd recommend it even if you do decide you want an epidural- they taught some great ways to stay calm and relax (very important for the first part of labor before you get to the hospital) as well as just teaching you what your body does, what to expect at the hospital, what certain things mean.... all so important.
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