Hypnobabies, Take Me Away!

When I was pregnant with James, my midwife suggested that I take Hypnobabies.  I did the home course, along with The Bradley Method class, and absolutely loved it.  It helped me to realize that every "strange" feeling is normal, that my body is healthy and perfect, and the power of positive thinking and imagery.  It teaches self-hypnosis to help remain calm in the face of the storm, and to be able to enjoy the miracle of birth instead of looking at it as something that needs to be numbed.

Among the little things I learned to agree with are:

• A woman doesn't "deliver" a baby.  She "births" a baby.  The mailman delivers the mail, and the pizza delivery person delivers a pizza.  A woman does not give birth to a pizza.
• Similarly, a doctor/nurse/midwife does not "deliver" a baby.  S/he helps the mother through the birthing process, and many times "catches" the baby.  The woman does all the work.  Again, we aren't talking pizza here.
• There is no such thing as a "due date."  Babies are not on a strict timeline, and are not "due" to be here by a certain date.  There is, however, such thing as a "guess date," which gives approximate time the baby may be born.  "Guess dates" are generally in the middle (40 weeks) of a 4-5 week timeline known as "full term."   Please don't ask when a woman is due; it gives unneeded pressure and the impression of impending eviction.  And don't start to pester when the guess date rolls around (and, for the love of your Creator, don't mention being "overdue!").  Nobody is late, everything is cooking just normally.  Just relax.
• "Labor and delivery" is known as "birthing time," because we don't need to attach any negative connotations to birthing a baby, which a most wonderful and miraculous time (and, yes, to some women even enjoyable).
• "Contractions" are "pressure waves."  Again, replacing a negative connotation with something that has less fear attached to it.

...and that's my rant for the day.  :)