Pansy's Parchment II

When Pansy was six and a half months along, Neville send words of their first birthing class. There were women in varying stages of pregnancy, and Pansy couldn’t help but notice the layout of the room was designed for her comfort. There was also a tray of juice and bite sized sandwiches for the ladies.



They first learned about the details changes in their bodies and Ron, just like the other men, was fascinated.



He had noticed her nipples had darkened to a mauve color from their natural pale pink. She would soon be producing practice style milk and he made a mental note to look for it. They also learned about symptoms in various stages of labor, some of which Pansy was experiencing and some she wasn’t. She had cravings, but it was for normal food, not unusual food. She didn’t want pickles and peanut butter, but her need for chocolate ice cream had increased, and Ron had to make sure there was always a tub at the house.



Their next class was the following week and this was something Ron had been looking forward to. “Alright, everyone.” The witch nurse who was leading the class began, “mothers, sit down and get comfortable, legs crossed.”



All the ladies complied, some needing assistance from coaches. Pansy had managed to have a seat without any need for Ron, she had been doing yoga stretches since Hogwart’s every morning. It helped her relax, and it was something that became a habit.



When everyone was seated, the witch continued. “Alright, fathers and coaches, take your places behind mom, cradling her hips.” When the fathers and coaches were in place, she spoke again. “Mom lean back and rest against your coach, stretch out your legs and open as wide as is comfortable. This is the basic position for labor. Some women find it easier when they assume this position early on. It will also make it easier to relax.”



Pansy let her weight fall and let her legs rest against Ron’s. She was completely supported by Ron as if she was asleep. “Ok moms, close your eyes and slow down your breathing. Relax against your partner.” Pansy let her eyes drift shut and her head rest on Ron’s shoulder. “Coaches and dads, breath slow into mom’s ear so she has a rhythm to follow.”



Ron moved her hair away from her ear and she soon felt his breath along her ear as he inhaled and exhaled slowly. “Moms, take in a deep breathe through your nose and fill your lungs, let release slowly out through your mouth. Coaches, breathe with mom.”



Pansy inhaled deeply, and Ron was given a nice view over her shoulder as her breasts swelled with her intake. Together they slowly released.



“Alright moms, we are going to try a new breathing method,” she said after several inhales and exhales, “coaches, while mom inhales slowly, count to four in her ear, moms when you reach number four exhale for another four count, coaches count to both. Here we go. In two, three, four. Out, two, three, four. Coaches take over.”



Ron’s voice was a comfort in her ear as she breathed. “In, two, three, four. Out, two, three, four.”



They repeated the exercises for several minutes. Pansy’s whole body was relaxed as she had ever felt. The baby was always moving now and the breathing had helped her relax so she could feel the movement and not just spasms or fluttering. She swore she felt a foot move against her and it made her smile.



They had a questions and answer period and Pansy remained cradled by Ron’s legs. He gently massaged her back as she say and listened. They were given instructions to practice on their own, and news that they would be going over breathing for labor and delivery.







Ginny threw a baby shower for Pansy, a couple of days later. It lifted Pansy’s spirits immensely and she sat among the boxes and bags opening gifts. They were all unisex, things like white baby robes and small toys. She even received a few baby bags, in different sizes. She was given blankets and baby clothes, even baby toiletries.



Hermione knew that every one would have brought baby items so she brought Pansy a bathing kit. With scented bath oils, beads, bath gel, lotion, and perfume. It was nice to be given something for herself and she planned on using it that night.



Molly though, brought Pansy a rocking chair. She had visited Ron and saw the theme of the nursery. She and Arthur had the rocking chair made to match the nursery, and Pansy loved it.



“I cant count the number of times I rocked a child back to sleep.” Molly told her. The chair was padded but charmed so it would support her when she needed it. If her back hurt she would fell warmth and a gentle massage. If her lower back, or hips hurt, she would feel it there. Pansy fell in love with it on first sight.



Ron moved the chair into the nursery while the shower continued. He was the only male there, but no matter what anyone said he wasn’t leaving. This was his child too and he would be involved in every moment Pansy went through.



Pansy’s mother brought a naming robe. It was pristine white and it was the same one Pansy had worn as her own naming ceremony, and the same one her mother had worn. There was no lace, because Pansy’s grandmother had it made before her own child was born. It would serve the same purpose as it had before.



Ron however was looking at it a bit differently. He appreciated the gown and loved how Pansy was touched by it. The gown was worn but a girl child, then another girl child. Maybe it was a sign that they would have a girl. He smiled at the thought.



A baby girl would be a joy to him. He wondered if the child would have bright ginger hair like his whole family, or pitch black like Pansy’s family. His mind formed images of little girls in both images and he felt his heart warm. He hadn’t thought about what he would want but he could admit to his own thoughts that a little pixie of a girl running up with her arms opened to him was a happy image.



He helped serve cake that his mother had made, in the shape of two pairs of booties. One blue and one pink. Guests took cake according to what they guessed the baby would be. The blue booties side was practically gone, but the pink ones barely touched. It didn’t matter to Ron, he’d eat the rest of it himself. His gut told him, they were having a girl.



Pansy had been given clothes to fill the drawers and the wardrobe, all in shades of either whites and neutrals or greens. She had been given toiletries but Pansy wanted a baby sized tub that was raised high enough for her to bathe her baby adequately. She also needed things like nappies and cleaning supplies. She also wanted to finish off what she might need. As far as clothes went, she had plenty or basic baby robes, but she wanted more detailed things for when they went out, and most likely photographers would be trailing them as they had during her whole pregnancy. There was one of two outside when the guests arrived for the shower. Articles over the past few months had popped up here and there. The actual birth would be covered with just as much interest.







Ron and Pansy finished what shopping they had listed for themselves. The extra potions and lotions for cleaning nappies as well as plenty of nappies themselves. She also made sure she had plenty of burping and spitting blankets. By the time Pansy had her seventh month appointment, she was ready. Neville praised them for being ready.



“It’s a good thing that you have nothing left to finish off, because I don’t want stress of rushing to be a priority right now.” He said. “Your kicks are getting stronger, so this little one is getting impatient.”



“I still have two months to go.’ Pansy said.



“An exact nine months birth is rare. It’s usually a day or two before or after.” He told them.



“Is that dangerous?” Ron asked.



“No. Unless it was a one night stand, predicting the exact day of conception is almost impossible.” He said. “Any pain?”



‘No, it’s just getting uncomfortable to move around.” She said, reaching for Ron to help her sit up.



“That’s no a surprise. You’re carrying outward.” He said.



“Does that mean a boy?” Pansy asked. “My mother says girls are carried inside more.”



Neville laughed. “How a woman carried depends on her body type, her health, her prior pregnancy history, things like this. You are short and have slightly narrower hips then most women, so you carry outward where the baby can rest comfortably and you are still able to breathe. Your mother however was taller and had very broad hips. She carried inward.”



“Oh.” Pansy said, cradling her swollen belly.



“If you want to know the sex, I can tell you.” Neville offered.



“No, I don’t want to know. My mother just mentioned it at the shower. Most of them seem to think I will have a boy.” She told him.



“Ron, what’s the dominant sex in the Weasley tree?” He asked.



“Male.” He said with a smile. "Very few girls.”



“The guests are just looking at the families logically. Molly even had to go through six boys before she got a girl. It’s a good guess but nobody will know until the baby is born.” He said.



“I’ve pre-warned St. Mungo’s Maternity to be prepared. The floo network will bring you there directly to that floor.” He told them.



Ron followed the advice of the birth class instructor and had a bag packed and ready for when Pansy went into labor. He was getting more and more nervous.