Thieu and I went to our last childbirth class last night. I was looking forward to it because it was the one where they show you the gory video. Unfortunately, she only showed a very soft, gentle video. The woman didn't even scream, just looked a bit pissed off and tired.
Later, she showed large photos of people in the early stages of labour, followed by shots of them looking happy and exhausted with the baby on their chest. She held up one of a woman whose face was wrinkled up in pain... and I recognised her. She used to be my boss. It was a very strange moment and I was glad that she wasn't in one of the more graphic shots. I remember that she had a very long labour and she looked very very exhausted.
Today Thieu walked in with me to walk. 'I'm sorry the childbirth classes are over,' I said. I actually really enjoyed them, and not just because of the biscuits. Thieu nodded. 'I did too. I can't actually remember anything she said but I now have a vague feeling of anxiety that I didn't have before.' This is pretty much how I feel too.
Thieu visited his brother recently whose girlfriend is due to give birth in about three weeks. They live in the country - about half an hour away from the nearest hospital. Which would normally be fine, except that the last time she gave birth the whole thing took 40 minutes, from first contraction to tired but happy with baby on chest.
