Prenatal class took its toll

By Staff
Leada Gore, Editor
This should have been my first clue, but excited about another child birth class, I didn’t pay too much attention. All we had done in the first class was breathe and I think I had that part down pretty well. And, the nurse said the information she was going to show us was nowhere near as graphic as some of the health shows on cable.
I looked around at the other dads and some looked a little anxious. Greg, who’s actually had to deliver a baby during his nursing career, didn’t even look as if he was paying attention.
The lights in the room dimmed and some very staged photos popped up on the screen. It showed a happy mother arriving at the hospital, getting settled into her room and visiting with the doctor. There was nothing gross or graphic in sight.
Suddenly, however, I noticed I was getting hot. Thinking I just needed some water – the room was warm – I stood up and walked outside. I found a fountain, got some water and told myself I was fine.
I reentered the room.
The photos continued. Nothing gross, nothing graphic, just happy mom and dad with happy doctor in a happy hospital room. I, however, was not happy. I began to feel as if my skin was on fire and things started spinning around me. Ignoring the previous advice, I stood to my wobbly feet and weaved out the door. I made it to the ladies’ restroom where there was, thankfully, a couch. I laid down on the couch, oblivious to the strange looks I was receiving.
I stayed holed up for about 10 minutes and then went to the lobby. By this point, the movie was over and Greg stood waiting for me. He was smiling. “Fine as wine, huh?,” he said. “I can tell.”