I do not own Vampire Academy. It belongs to Richelle Mead.
Babies, Babies, Babies
"Adrian Honey, come on. We are going to be late for the birthing class!" I tap my foot impatiently and rub my stomach. The twins are kicking again, and I always like the way it feels.
"Coming Little Dhampir. Of course, we don't want to be late." Adrian smiles at me and kisses me. "Come along, my sweet impatient wife, we have a birthing process to learn about!"
I smile at him and follow him through our door. "Are you sure you don't want me to go to Daddy Boot Camp with you?" I ask him.
Adrian smiles at me broadly. "Thank you so much for offering, but really, I am quite excited about the class! Besides, it will be nice to meet some other Dads who are in the same boat."
"Ok." I say, and I link my arm through his. It is a short walk to the classes, so we are there in no time. As we enter the door for the classes I see a sign taped to the door that says, "Birthing 101". Inside is a petit blond nurse who is standing at the front of the class.
"Welcome to the class!" She smiles warmly at us. "My name is Janan, and I am teaching this class and the Breast Feeding class that follows afterwards. Mark will be teaching the Daddy Boot Camp class at the same time as the Breast Feeding class. Please fill out your names and due dates on your name tags. Today will be relatively simple. We are going to run through the different instruments we use in during deliveries so you will be used to them. We will end this class by watching a video of a live birth. Any questions?" No one speaks up. "Ok, then let's get started once everyone takes their seats."
We head over to a round table and take our seats. There is plenty of space, so we do not share our table. The various instruments are passed around and soon it's time for the video. "Are you ok?" I ask Adrian as he puts down some forceps.
"Yes, I am fine. I just didn't expect to get so up close and personal." Admits Adrian a little queasily.
" It's ok." I tell him smiling and rubbing his hand.
"Has everyone gotten a chance to look at all of the instruments ?" Janan asks the group. After no reply, she says, "Good. Then, let's get started with the video!"
The video cuts to a woman who is having a lot of back contractions. Her husband is helping calm her by rolling a clean paint roller over her tense muscles. The video progresses the labor quickly, and soon the woman is in the throes of hard labor. We see the baby's head crowning. I see Adrian slightly flinch at the sight. I slide my hand under the table and grab his hand. He squeezes mine. A few more good, long pushes and the baby is brought safely into this world. Everyone claps. "Does anyone have any questions? Janan asks.
"I do." I tell Janan.
"Yes?' She asks me.
"We are expecting twins. Will we have a vaginal delivery?" I ask Janan.
"That is a good question." Janan responds. "The answer is no. If you are having multiples or if your baby is breach, then you will be scheduled for a c-section. You birthing partner will be wearing sterile clothing and a face mask. There will be a sheet up so that you cannot see the surgery. Your birthing partner is more than welcome to step to the front and watch the process if they choose. You will be awake during the surgery, but you will not be able to feel anything. Any other questions?" Janan asks while looking around. "Ok, then let's take a quick break and when we return, we will start with the breastfeeding class. Gentlemen who are signed up for Daddy Boot Camp will be right next door."
I waddle down the hallway as fast as I can so I can pee for the millionth time. I head back to the room and I spy Adrian already sitting in his class. "When you are breastfeeding, it is important to always be comfortable and relaxed. You need to teach your baby to latch on correctly or else you can end up with cracked and bleeding nipples. To insure that a baby has proper latch on technique, check to see if their lips are open like fish lips around your areola. There are several free resources available to you as a breastfeeding mom. Make sure you pick up those pamphlets at the end of class. They also contain different positions you can use while breastfeeding. It is helpful to practice with a doll, so that you can learn what is comfortable for you. If you have a c-section, you will probably want to use the football hold so that it doesn't bother your incision." Janan informs the class.
One of the twins shifts so there is immediate pressure on my bladder. I have to go again, now! So, I sneak out as quickly as a woman pregnant with twins can, and head back to my favorite place, the bathroom. On my way back, I take a peek at the Daddy Boot Camp. All of the men have a plastic doll with an extremely wobbly neck. "To swaddle an infant, you are going to want to run your hand gently under the baby's body so that you can support their head and neck. Next, you will lay them in the center of the triangle you have already created. Pull the bottom of the blanket up, and gently pull the right side snug to the baby, and then gently pull the left side snug, and tuck the edges in. There! You have all successfully swaddled your babies!" Says Mark excitedly.
I decide to stay and watch Adrian's class, so I lean my head against the doorway. "Next you are going to learn to bath your babies. First get all of your supplies ready. Next, pour a small amount of look warm water into the baby bathtub. Check the water with the inside of your wrist so you can make sure you do not burn the baby. Now, that you are ready to bath the baby, pick the baby gently up again, while always supporting the neck. Lay them gently in the tub, and start washing their heads and faces first and work your way down to the toes." My heart melts at the sight of Adrian holding his "baby" with such obvious tender care. I know without a doubt that he is going to make the best father.
"I have a treat for us Dad's today!" Mark says with obvious pride and enthusiasm. "My wife Dianna has brought our son Devon here to help you get some real life experience with a baby. Devon is only one year old. Who would like to hold him first?"
"I would!" Adrian replies quickly. His eagerness to hold the baby both delights me and shocks me. I watch as Dianna expertly carries her son and places him in Adrian's open arms. Adrian is very careful to support his neck. He looks into Devon's face and says, "Hey Big Guy!" I simply cannot believe how adorable my husband is! All of a sudden, I see Adrian wrinkle his nose. "Uh, oh. I think we have a diaper problem here! " Adrian exclaims while standing to hand Devon back to Dianna.
"Not so fast!" Dianna chides him. "Now is the perfect time for you to learn how to change a diaper! You wait right here, and I will get the diaper bag." She smiles at Adrian and heads over to the bag. "The first thing you are going to want to pull out is the changing pad. This is a sanitary surface to protect your baby from unhealthy germs. Next you will want to pull out the new diaper and the wipes."
I can't help but to laugh as I watch Adrian's serious, yet determined face. He gently lays Devon on the changing table and opens the wipes first. Next he unsnaps the legs to Devon's pj outfit. He takes the diaper off, and; "Ahh! Phw,Gahw!!!! He peed on me!" Adrian says disgustedly as he attempts to wipe his face off. I can't help myself. I am laughing hysterically. I walk into the room for a better look. This is just too good to miss!
Dianna is giggling too. "Yup, baby boys pee on you if you don't cover them up immediately! But, I thought you should learn the hard way!" Dianna giggles. I watch as Adrian finishes changing the diaper without further incidence.
I walk up to Adrian and rub his back. "Are you having fun?" I ask him while still giggling.
"Um…Yeah. If you could call it that." Adrian replies while wiping his face off once again. He gently picks Devon up and hands him back to his Mom.
"That is all we have time for today. We will see you at the next class!" Mark says while cleaning up the room.