The following post will very likely be too much information.
Way way way too much information.
However, since Jeri Dawn asked, and since I'm not shy about it, here's what I think the birth plan will look like.
If you're not into labor stories, you should stop reading.
Right now.
I plan to go natural. I have a midwife rather than an O.B.
Sometimes I think this is really granola of me; but it's what I like.
I am really really hoping that this child does not go too much over. Lizzy was 3 days over and Emma was 10 days over. I don't think I can quite do 10 over again. I wouldn't mind going a touch early, actually.
With Lizzy, my water broke and the good nurses at LDS hospital put me on pitosin to move it along. I'm still holding a grudge.
With Emma, 10 days passed and I agreed with the midwives that we'd gone far enough, so I went in for an induction. The fabulous thing about the midwife is that she listens... that, and I had birthed one baby and knew what to insist upon. When I said I hate and loathe pitosin, my midwife suggested an alternate, one I had thought of, which worked lovely, and I'll do it again if needed.
The midwife used some lethal-looking medical crochet hook thing to break my water, and then I went for a walk around the L&D loop. Around and around and around. I stopped and held on to the wall for contractions. Clinton went to get a last meal. I got myself water and ice chips. Every 30 minutes or so the nurse hooked up the monitors and then I went around and around again. After a couple hours, I didn't need to walk any more; I needed Clinton to focus. And to stop making jokes.
I progressed fine and had a baby.
See, if you're delivering today no matter what, go ahead and do something irreversible like breaking water. Start with something humane and natural, like a lethal-looking medical crochet hook thing. Then, if that doesn't work, you still have time to discuss barbaric strategies.
For me, the pitosin causes unnatural pain that makes relaxation and progression impossible, thus requiring an epidural. The epidural, though lovely, removes control. Without control, there is more tearing - which invites complications that could lead to a pretty rough postpartum recovery.
Me no likey rough postpartum.
If my recovery after Emma had been rough like it was after Lizzy, there would be no little boy blue on the way. I'm not saying I bounced back after Emma; but the recovery was acceptable.
For some women, drugs are the way to go. For me, the unbearable agony of the last stage of labor is hellish; but reasonable in comparison to a horrid 6-week recovery.
1 year ago
5 comments:
I've yet to actually have a birth plan for reasons I'm sure you know. However, I do have to say that my least favorite feeling EVER is walking around with a leaking bag of waters. I'd rather stay put in my bed and read a book through contractions. Labor progressing or not. That may or may not explain a lot about me. I'm glad to see you have a birth plan and that your MW actually listens to you.
And, I'm super glad that little boy blue is on his way.
I admire you. I couldn't do it, but I admire it. I've had pitosin to move things along and it doesn't bother me ...epidurals bother me.
It has gotten progressively worse. With my 1st there were no issues to my 4th where I puked through-out labor due to it. With my 3rd I got a spinal block that was wearing off as I delivered and I loved it - no pain during labor and I could feel delivery without it hurting ... and no puking. My doctor is cool but it is the anesthesiologists I have issues with. Kevin fought and fought for me to just have a spinal with #4, but the dude wouldn't listen and my back labor was too bad to fight any longer. Sigh. The Valley of the Shadow of Death, right?
I'm excited for you to get your little boy here! And I'm excited for you to know what you want to do and that you stick to your guns!
Look at these Anderson women jumping in here to talk about birthing babies! I 100% respect your decision to go natural and agree 200% about how ugly pitocin feels. It takes everything natural about the birthing process and throws it in your face.
I had wonderful plans for my 3rd little boy blue but due to needing to be induced and having a doctor that wouldn't listen to me, pitocin ruined my plans. But I did end up with a "walking epidural" that ended up being a lovely alternative. It helped me deal with the pain of pitocin and left me in control (I could move my legs and feel the pressure of contractions and pushing without the wicked pain and disconnected feeling). Thankfully, there was no tearing and there was still a quick recovery despite the epidural.
I will pray and pray for you to have the delivery that you want. I'm glad you know yourself well enough to know what to ask for and demand if needs be! Happy pushing!!
I don't think any mother is worth a grain of salt if she doesn't chime in with birthing stories when the opportunity arises. You may call me Mrs Pretzel.
Okay, Mrs Mini Pretzel since you don't need all four stories here and now.
I hate pitosin. Hate it. I had no idea how much until I went almost a full labor without. I am jealous that you can go all natural. Because I did the first two times(water broke, no epidural, no side effects post partum), but can't ever again since I need c-sections now. I'd take a fully natural birth any day. Although the drama for Labor 4 was SIGNIFICANTLY less than any of the others. I kind of like the drama.
So, I guess call me Mrs Mini-ish Pretzel.
Love it! Thanks for satisfying my curiousity and posting. My most favoritist part was where you needed to focus and for Clint to stop making jokes. Husbands are great that way! Have you ever read the Hypnobirthing book? It's really good...It's what got me through my first natural birth. Congrats and here's adding my little prayer that things go just perfectly wonderful for you and your baby boy.
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