Breastfeeding 101 and The Labor Ward

Hello Everyone!

Last night Josh and I attended our 3rd parenting and baby class. It was all about the exciting world of breastfeeding! I have to admit I was very uncomfortable with the thought of breastfeeding. I don't remember anyone that I know doing it. At all. So when Josh and I talked about it and he was totally for me doing it, I got nervous. A whole bunch of thoughts running through my mind...will I be able to do it? Will I feel funny doing it? Will I offend people by doing it out in public? How can I do it discreetly? Most of all...will it hurt? It was a whole world beyond bottles that made me totally freaked out. Even just seeing the pictures on the wall at the hospital made me uncomfortable out about it. You get the point.

Well, now...partially because of the class, but seeing all of my friends here doing it...how their babies seem so happy and content with it...they are with bottles too, but it's just so much easier to breast feed them - no warming up the bottle, no mixing and cost of formula, traveling will be easier - I'm all for it now. Whooo hooo....I'm on board. If it doesn't work...I'm not going to beat myself up over it, but I'll give it a determined whirl!

Well also went on a whirlwind fascinating trip through the Labor Ward too. I was expecting to find lots of ladies delivering their babies, maybe some screaming, but it was a disappointing slow night. :) The labor room is very plain, painted light blue and kind of small. You can bring music and turn the lights down in an effort to make this hospital room feel a little more like home. Once I have the baby, I can ask for a private room, but you only get that if it's available. There is even one room that has 5 beds...a little less private...but it's a possibility that you can end up in there if it is very busy. Hopefully hot June will bring less babies than the cooler months. I decided to ask though...are you busier on weekends, nights, days...in an effort to feel out the patterns of the hospital. I guess you can never predict when babies feel the need to come though! :) I bet when it rains it pours...

I feel a lot more comfortable about delivering here. The people I've met are really nice, all speak very good english and smile. Josh will be able to come with me for everything, which I thought may not happen here or would be difficult. He only has to wait when I first go to the emergency room. As soon as they take me into the ward he can come along. The costs are considerably less too. For a normal birth it is 1000 dirhams - which is get ready... $367! For a c-section it is 1500 dirhams, which brings the total in to just over $400. What a bargain!

Oh, I've attached a video of our little man kicking after Kansas won the NCAA Championship!

Go Jayhawks!

Have a happy day! XOXO

Deanna