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Thursday, October 4, 2012

birth options

When I planned for Emily's birth, I wanted to do it naturally.  I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and it amazed me.  It wasn't that I wanted a medal or praise for getting through childbirth without drugs, it was that I wanted to give birth in a way that so many women before me had.  I wanted my body to do what I knew it could do and I wanted the experience of having my hormones bond me to my baby in the way that happens with natural birth. 

Things didn't work out that way thanks to scar tissue on my cervix that wouldn't allow me to dilate. An epidural was needed so my midwife could break up the scar tissue or I would have ended up with a c-section. 

I still bonded with my baby and even though my labor didn't go as I hoped it would, when I think back on it I have nothing but positive memories.  If it were possible I would go back to the same hospital, with the same midwife, and the same doula. My birth team was awesome and Steve was fantastic. There was a lot of laughing and happiness in that room.

Since becoming pregnant this time, I've been going to an OB group. I loved the first Dr. I saw, he was kind, took his time and I felt comfortable. I've seen three other Drs since that visit and I haven't been a huge fan of them.  My appointment last month was the one that made me re-think the practice. It was right after I had been feeling very down and I asked the Dr. about depression during pregnancy. She blew me off.   I left there feeling disappointed.  I came home and told Steve about the experience and we decided that we would look for a midwife and transfer. 

We found a group of midwives in the area that deliver at a free standing birth center or at a local hospital.  I have heard very good things about the birth center and one of our friends recently had her baby there.  They have very strict guidelines about who can deliver at the center and they are extremely cautious. But at this point, we are planning on a hospital birth with the midwives. And after meeting one of them today I am so happy that we transferred.  She spent an hour with me talking about my previous losses, Emily's pregnancy, this pregnancy, everything.  They have an "open chart policy" which means, every time I go in I am handed my chart and allowed to look through it and see what notes were made in previous visits- I thought this was wonderful.

We have also chosen our doula. She is a Bradley Method childbirth instructor and she has been to over 100 births. I'm learning more about this method and I'm reading Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way.  If any of you have used it successfully let me know!

The pieces are coming together for *hopefully* another amazing birth experience- only 109 days to go!





11 comments:

  1. So exciting! I'm so torn because I love my OB... She's been with me through everything, but I still crave the midwife experience. I really need to figure it out ASAP.

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  2. Wow, good luck! It sounds like you have a great support team!

    I also wanted to add, having had a natural birth, that I truly feel the experience is overrated (including the bonding that supposedly is better than when medicated). Sometimes, I get jealous hearing how wonderful epidurals births sound!! I'm glad you had a good experience with Emily!

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  3. That's great news. I'm glad you followed your gut and transferred. Good luck with everything. I have faith you're going to have another great delivery in 107 days. (he's coming 2 days early. hee hee)

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  4. You are going to be incredible and I know you can give birth naturally. You are right, women are designed to have babies and I honestly loved my all natural birth experience. It was so incredible and I learned so much about my body and myself. You are totally going to rock this and I'm so glad you found a wonderful group to support you in this!!!

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  5. I am so happy for you that you were able to transfer and are now feeling so much more comfortable!! :) The open chart idea is great. I hope you can have your dream of a completely natural birth. I had one with Alidia and loved it, but knew at my hospital there weren't really any other options. However, as I can tell, you really loved your birth experience with Emily too so even if it doesn't end up 100% natural, I am sure it will be amazing!! :) Can't believe how quickly your pregnancy seems to be flying by... for me anyway! ;)

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  6. Look at you go! You are stronger than I am. Glad you found a midwife and doula that you love and I know you will totally rock this delivery!

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  7. we used the bradley method and had an awesome awesome awesome labor/delivery experience with our midwife at our hospital. LOVE bradley and the way it prepares you for the intensity and experience. good luck- you can do it!! (so glad you didnt stay with that stupid doc!!)

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  8. 107 days?!?! That can't be right! Eeeeeek! I am so happy to hear that you have transfered. That is total crap that the OB blew off your concerns. TOTAL crap! You must be so so so excited for this baby boy!

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  9. So glad you transferred and are feeling better about your new midwife. It sounds like you are well on your way to feeling good about this birth!

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  10. I am hoping for a wonderful birth for you, no matter how little man gets here it is going to be so wonderful and awesome....wish I could be there with you :)

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  11. So glad to hear you switched clinics! You definitely need to feel completely supported and comfortable - glad you've found that with your new midwife. I agree with pajamasarecomfy... however the little guy arrives, it will be wonderful, and I hope everything goes well!

    Hugs :)

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