During the first few months after we found out were going to have a BABY (our very own little person!!!) the excitement feeling stuck around and never left but a new feeling snuck around the corner…the feeling of fear for the labor and delivery portion.
I spent the entire first half of pregnancy putting off those feelings and just kept thinking, “I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.” Well, 7 months rolled around and the reality of labor began settling in. It was never a question in my mind, I always just thought, Oh, I’ll get the epidural and never look back. I didn’t even give natural childbirth a second of consideration.
I’m not exactly sure what inclined me to start researching childbirth, the process, all the interventions that can take place, etc., but one morning I woke up determined to be become more educated.
It all started with my research on doulas. I’m not even sure if I knew what a doula was at that point, but I quickly came to the conclusion, I HAVE to have one of these doula things. I set out in my 32 weeks of pregnancy to find the right doula for Dave and I. I wanted to find someone that respected MY birth plan and wasn’t pushy about her own beliefs, ideas on childbirth, etc. And, to my surprise, I found exactly that. Dave and I hired a doula in our 33rd week of pregnancy and from the start she brought reassurance and confidence that we were going to have a magical birth.
After meeting Sarah (our doula), I delved into research trying to create my own birth plan. I needed to consider things like, do we want our baby continuously monitored throughout my labor and delivery, do we want the ability to try as many positions for comfort, do we want IV lines hooked up throughout my entire delivery, and the dooming question of all, do I want drugs readily available?
There was a lot to think about, but before I made my decisions, I thought it best to understand what they all meant. I’m not going to lie, I’ve probably gone a bit overboard with all research, ordering books, etc. But in the end, I have made some very important, educated decisions that I feel confident in.
It became quickly apparent to me that I hadn’t even given myself a shot; a chance at delivering this baby au’ natural. I wasn’t even allowing my body or my mind a fair shot. Hence, my new goal for the delivery of our son.
I started to read journal entries, books, and blogs all about woman who have experienced a natural birth. No longer was it about the agonizing and scary process, but it was about a beautiful and empowering event. It was these stories that gave me the confidence to even think for a nano second, “hey, maybe I can give this a shot.”
Any method with which a woman chooses to deliver takes courage, focus, and is a huge physical experience. I don’t want to feel pain anymore than the next girl, but as I began to fully understand how my body would deliver a baby and the history of maternity care in our country, I developed my own set of ideas and beliefs in the process.
Even with all of the preparations I am doing, there is a possibility that we will still require medical intervention. I’m not against getting an epidural if I have done everything within my power to go natural but am not physically able to do it. In the end, the single most important thing is the safe and healthy delivery of our son. I will take whatever outcome with a happy heart because I know I have done everything possible to set myself up for success - if it doesn’t go as planned - so be it. I’ll have no regrets.
But I am setting out to rock this birth. In fact, I’m going to kick ass. I’m actually excited for it now instead of fearful and scared. And, while I do still have some fear and anxiety, I feel more educated and confident than I did only a month ago. When the day comes, I’ll be ready!
PS: I know some of you think I’ve completely lost it, but wait to tell me that until after our son is born ; - ) Please!
I spent the entire first half of pregnancy putting off those feelings and just kept thinking, “I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.” Well, 7 months rolled around and the reality of labor began settling in. It was never a question in my mind, I always just thought, Oh, I’ll get the epidural and never look back. I didn’t even give natural childbirth a second of consideration.
I’m not exactly sure what inclined me to start researching childbirth, the process, all the interventions that can take place, etc., but one morning I woke up determined to be become more educated.
It all started with my research on doulas. I’m not even sure if I knew what a doula was at that point, but I quickly came to the conclusion, I HAVE to have one of these doula things. I set out in my 32 weeks of pregnancy to find the right doula for Dave and I. I wanted to find someone that respected MY birth plan and wasn’t pushy about her own beliefs, ideas on childbirth, etc. And, to my surprise, I found exactly that. Dave and I hired a doula in our 33rd week of pregnancy and from the start she brought reassurance and confidence that we were going to have a magical birth.
After meeting Sarah (our doula), I delved into research trying to create my own birth plan. I needed to consider things like, do we want our baby continuously monitored throughout my labor and delivery, do we want the ability to try as many positions for comfort, do we want IV lines hooked up throughout my entire delivery, and the dooming question of all, do I want drugs readily available?
There was a lot to think about, but before I made my decisions, I thought it best to understand what they all meant. I’m not going to lie, I’ve probably gone a bit overboard with all research, ordering books, etc. But in the end, I have made some very important, educated decisions that I feel confident in.
It became quickly apparent to me that I hadn’t even given myself a shot; a chance at delivering this baby au’ natural. I wasn’t even allowing my body or my mind a fair shot. Hence, my new goal for the delivery of our son.
I started to read journal entries, books, and blogs all about woman who have experienced a natural birth. No longer was it about the agonizing and scary process, but it was about a beautiful and empowering event. It was these stories that gave me the confidence to even think for a nano second, “hey, maybe I can give this a shot.”
Any method with which a woman chooses to deliver takes courage, focus, and is a huge physical experience. I don’t want to feel pain anymore than the next girl, but as I began to fully understand how my body would deliver a baby and the history of maternity care in our country, I developed my own set of ideas and beliefs in the process.
Even with all of the preparations I am doing, there is a possibility that we will still require medical intervention. I’m not against getting an epidural if I have done everything within my power to go natural but am not physically able to do it. In the end, the single most important thing is the safe and healthy delivery of our son. I will take whatever outcome with a happy heart because I know I have done everything possible to set myself up for success - if it doesn’t go as planned - so be it. I’ll have no regrets.
But I am setting out to rock this birth. In fact, I’m going to kick ass. I’m actually excited for it now instead of fearful and scared. And, while I do still have some fear and anxiety, I feel more educated and confident than I did only a month ago. When the day comes, I’ll be ready!
PS: I know some of you think I’ve completely lost it, but wait to tell me that until after our son is born ; - ) Please!
No comments:
Post a Comment