At my last prenatal consultation (with my private doctor), she told me it was time to start looking for a birth class, if I was so inclined to do so. Which of course I am! In Mexico these classes are called "psicoprofilaxis" classes — which I guess translates to psychoprofilactic? Which means nothing? But anyway, it covers how to prepare mentally and physically for this big event.

We have looked into a few different options for this class — one is a center that does big group classes and two were doulas who give private or semi-private classes and then will attend your childbirth for an additional fee. This one-on-one (or one-on-two) idea appealed to me more. We were referred to one doula by friends and met with her last week.

Childbirth class is not supposed to be funny, but it was. Mostly due to the setting. We met with the doula and this other lady that came with her (not sure why?), and also another couple, at Starbucks in Condesa. We needed a central location for this one meeting so I thought Starbucks sounded like a fine idea, proving only that I did not think it through.

We got a nice big table outside, which seemed good until I remembered all the street urchins who come by trying to sell you gum every two minutes, and the adult urchins who try to sell you earrings and cigarettes and other thingies. And the street musicians. Oh, the street musicians. We got ballads, we got accordion, we got everything. The crowning moment (so to speak) was at the end when this guy with bagpipes came and set up right behind my head. Bagpipes. In Mexico. They were so loud we could not hear a thing, so we had to stop our conversation about... I don't remember... exercise? water retention? nausea? and wait until he finished. And you know what? The doula gave him a few coins for that!

In the end, our first class was pretty enjoyable, mixed with funny and annoying due to the distractions. I think Fran and I know more than the average bear about pregnancy and birth — we both like to research, especially me, and I turn around and repeat everything I learn to him. So, the challenge of a class is that they need to tell us some things we don't know. I am not sure if the first class lived up to that, but it may have had to do with the topic — physical and emotional changes during pregnancy. What's not to know — that's our life!! So I look forward to getting into exercises, meditation, labor positions, etc. Which I am hoping will not happen in Starbucks! That would be awkward.