Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The hard stuff: creating a birth plan

So Jordan and I were talking a little bit today and chances are looking good that he won't be here for the baby's birth, again. And I'm ok with it. I know it will suck but I just have to get over it and just enjoy the experience as much as I can.

And speaking of which, I'm going to try to switch doctors after my next appointment. Because we'll be (hopefully) moving and driving all the way to Tennessee will be very difficult. But I do have some reservations about switching doctors.

Both of my sisters had their babies with the doctors in Somerset. They were all healthy and happy. Though all of them, and it seems like all the babies in our family, had jaundice so they had to stay an extra day. Nothing serious, just a few rounds of UV therapy and they were perfectly fine, including Rosslyn. Anyway, it seemed to me like the doctors were too eager to get the babies out on their due dates and would do it by any means necessary. Including being in labor for over 24 hours. That was my sister Sam.

After having Rosslyn the way I did, I have a few reservations about hospitals and if it were up to me, Aurelia would be born at home too. But, if it were also up to me, I'd be going to the same doctor I went when I was pregnant with Rosslyn. She was the kindest doctor and made me feel so relaxed and at ease.

So, when I switch doctors, I want to have a set birth plan. And unless it's absolutely medically necessary, I don't want to deviate from that plan. I know I sound like a snooty mom who thinks she knows more than doctors but I don't. I know my body more than anything else and I'm not going to be strapped down to a bed with wires going in and out of me. The bottom line of my birth plan is I want to be able to move around during contractions, I do not want any pain medication at all and I don't want to be pushed to do anything that I don't want to.

Up at this hospital, honestly, 90% of women I've seen all formula feed their babies. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I formula fed Rosslyn for 7 months. However, I want to breastfeed and I don't want it to be looked at like it's dirty or wrong. My younger sister tried at the hospital I may be going to and she said it didn't feel right to her. I believe this is partly due to lack of encouragement from the hospital staff and her husband. I don't know though, maybe she just couldn't do it, so I'm going to leave it at that.

I don't want anyone to think I'm a super-crunchy mom or anything like that. I am very simple and don't want things complicated. Is that too much to ask? I know that when the time comes down to it, whatever my birth plan may be, or what the doctors have in mind, may go out the window because of some unforeseen complication. But as of right now, I know what I want and if it isn't followed almost perfectly by the doctors, legal action may be taken.

2 love notes:

Chantel said...

Are there no birthing centers available around you? Or midwives in the doctors offices? They might be more what you are looking for.

Unknown said...

i don't blame you for wanting to be strapped down! I was with Jase for 12 hours, it was miserable!!!
I think it's great to have a plan you are comfy with and to stick to it :)
To bad you are not going to have her in NC, at Onslow they MAKE you breastfeed lol