We now officially have two HypnoBirthing classes under our belts. So far we have really enjoyed it and have agreed with much of the material presented, although sometimes it has a bit of a cult like-air to it. I mean, I believe in the benefits of natural birth, and I've heard enough about HypnoBirthing that I think it can work. So I am not sure why so much time is devoted to "selling" the idea. I mean, we've already paid! We're already in the class! We bought it. Done deal.

On a practical note, this week, we learned about the different types of breathing — one type for between contractions, one type for during contractions and one type for "breathing down" the baby, which is the HynoAlternative to pushing the baby out. We also covered light-touch massage, designed to release endorphins during labor. I greatly enjoyed that part, and I hope Francisco wants to practice every day. Practice makes perfect!

We saw a couple more birth videos. I guess I will get used to watching these things after awhile, but wow, the miracle of birth involves some things that are tough to see. I am glad I won't be able to see what's going on down there when my baby comes out because I don't want that burned on my retinas! We also saw some videos of babies after unmedicated births. It was so incredible to see how those alert little newborns can squirm around and even sort of crawl up mom's chest in order to breastfeed! That is just another reason for me to do this natural thing, aside from just sort of instinctively wanting to do it and know what my body is truly capable of.

One part of the class that was a little tough for me was an exercise where we were to put ourselves in the place of the baby, imagining what the baby feels, etc. This was when I realized I almost never talk to the baby, never read to the baby, never play music for the baby (just for myself — I hope he/she likes Mexican top 40!), we're not preparing a space for the baby in our home, and so on. Basically, all I do to interact with the baby is poke my belly around sometimes to see if I can get the baby to poke back. So I guess I need to work on that bonding stuff.