I give women a lot of credit!

My Wife Espie at the beach on her 31st week.

I tell you, it was like being introduced into a whole new world over the past 7 months watching my wife go through her first, then second, now her third trimester (32 weeks this week!). At first it was very cool and exciting to know there was a baby inside there, but there was no real “evidence” you can see. Then as the weeks turn to months, my wife’s body started changing in preparation for the growth and birth of our son. I thought it was amazing! My wife thought it can get a bit “creepy” knowing that there is a little human being growing inside her, pushing all her organs around. Today she’s got a big ole belly and little Ray responds so well to our voices, sounds and kisses… it blows my mind everyday more and more.

Last night at dinner we were watching A Baby Story on our DVR (as we always do at dinner) and the woman giving birth was pushing and screaming. In agony she said, “I can’t do it anymore!” She was in so much pain and so upset that her baby hadn’t been delivered. I have to admit that it was a little upsetting to watch. As we watched her push and get encouragement from her Dr. and nurses, I would glance over at my wife to see what her reaction was. She had this scared look on her face, so I told her, “baby, it’ll be ok. your strong and will get through this just fine.” In the same breath I also told her that those were just words coming from someone who will never experience childbirth, and that whatever I can do to help her have a positive labor, delivery and recovery, I will do.

One of my favorite programs is called House of Babies. It’s based on an internationally known mid-wife Shari Daniels who owns and operates a community birthing center in Miami, Florida. She specializes in non-medicated, water births. How amazing this woman is! I didn’t realized that there were such places outside of hospitals where families can choose to have their babies. What I love best is her approach to preparing women for the experience of childbirth. She analogizes it to an Olympic athlete preparing for a marathon; they just don’t start training the week before the event, but months before. She recommends exercises and life techniques woman can use to help prepare her body for the physical act of giving birth. I try not to lecture my wife, but I know that based on all the advice friends and family have given us and all the research we’ve done, there are things she can do now to prepare for her “big event.” So instead of lectures I try to make sure we watch that episode at least once a week nowadays! I think it may be working too She has been doing exercises before she goes to bed for the past 5 days. I’ll keep you posted!

// Ray