Post by catsarecute on Jan 23, 2014 17:31:53 GMT -5
I also wanted to add that my doctor gave me a birth plan to fill out a few weeks ago and it was a lot less daunting and detailed than I thought it would be. I had the idea that it would be a step by step guide of how I wanted the birth to be and my initial thought based on that assumption was "how the hell do I know?!"
I was happy to see that it was very simple with many choices for each question. Most questions had a "up in the air" type choice which I felt good about because that is how I feel about it all together. My husband tends to be a naysayer about things and I made sure he knew that what I say I want now may change during the process of labor and I don't need him holding this birth plan over my head-it isn't set in stone. For me, they are goals or ideas that I have about how I would like labor to go but I'm really open to it all.
Post by browneyedgirl9 on Jan 23, 2014 18:03:45 GMT -5
I didn't go in with any "birth plan" or strong feelings. Other then i know i wanted an epi! I didn't want a c section...more just due to recovery time and pain. But i was really detached from thinking about labor throughout my pregnancy, until i actually went into labor.
I really, REALLY want to avoid a c-section at all costs, but mostly because I just don't want to have a major surgery and I plan on having a bunch more kids hopefully, so I don't want that to set the stage for more complicated deliveries down the road. And I also don't like the idea that they sometimes (often? rarely? idk) are done out of convenience for the doctor more or less, or vaginal deliveries aren't given a better chance in some cases. I do like the idea that my body is designed for a vaginal delivery and should be able to handle it for the most part.
That being said, I don't anticipate being empowered or anything, I feel like I'll just want the kid out! I have no problem with getting an epidural--with the exception that I'm a little worried it might lead to a c-section. I'm not good with pain or discomfort and am cool with doing whatever it takes to make it less painful. Plus I hear delivering the placenta and all that jazz after the fact is pretty awful too. Would I feel pretty bad ass for going med free? Sure. But is it worth the agony and pain to me? Nope.
I could have written this myself, only I erased the part about even considering going without an epidural. I have no doubt that childbirth will surpass my threshold for pain and I WILL get an epidural.
I don't care if it's flameful, but the only thing that wouldn't bother me about having a c/s would be that I would have two additional paid weeks off from work. I realize that sounds flippant, but I really really really don't want one. Major surgery, more challenging recovery, wondering if it was really medically necessary or just easier for my doctor/to avoid a potential lawsuit, yadda yadda. H gets no paternity leave and there's no way either mom is allowed to come over to "help" after she's born. I really would rather deliver vaginally, plus I just want the experience. I actually think I am most anxious about the prospect of being told I have to have a c/s.
I think many people erroneously believe that a birth plan typically contains a whole laundry list of things that absolutely have to happen and might even include silly things like, "I only want Bon Jovi played in the room while I am laboring." (And I'm not pointing at any specific posters, just doing this as a PSA.) mine was pretty simple and in fact, contained info that my doctor specifically asked about, such as whether we wanted a circumcision if we had a boy and whether I planned to try to BF. these things are relevant regardless of whether you go med-free or get an epi or have a c-section.
I could have written this myself, only I erased the part about even considering going without an epidural. I have no doubt that childbirth will surpass my threshold for pain and I WILL get an epidural.
I don't care if it's flameful, but the only thing that wouldn't bother me about having a c/s would be that I would have two additional paid weeks off from work. I realize that sounds flippant, but I really really really don't want one. Major surgery, more challenging recovery, wondering if it was really medically necessary or just easier for my doctor/to avoid a potential lawsuit, yadda yadda. H gets no paternity leave and there's no way either mom is allowed to come over to "help" after she's born. I really would rather deliver vaginally, plus I just want the experience. I actually think I am most anxious about the prospect of being told I have to have a c/s.
This was me. And I avoided it. My doctors really, really wanted me to have one, and I am so thankful I didn't.
I didn't think I'd feel empowered or anything, and I thought "birth plans" were kind of silly. But now, I am so, so thankful for my experience. I was in awe of what my body had done. I felt really lucky to have had that experience. I partially think I feel this way because I really almost had to have surgery. But it was really cool. I am overweight and have never liked my body, and then it did something so amazing. I feel like I have so much more self esteem, if that even makes sense.
I think your story is awesome and it's SO amazing that you were able to have a successful vaginal delivery even though your doctors didn't want you to. It's really inspiring. And I think that says a lot for why it's good to have at least some sort of expectations or plans because ultimately (unless it's a life or death situation) YOU are in charge of how you want things to go. I will totally hold onto your story in case I'm in a scenario where I feel pressured to do something I'm not comfortable with.
Well, I had definite ideas about a few things, mostly drug related, for my first birth. I was able to go without an epidural although I had to be induced so there was pitocin involved. I insisted on standing up and swaying because I was having back labor and the nurse really worked with me. I pushed for 3 hours and my midwife had to call in the doctor to vacuum her out and i ended up with a horrible 3rd/4th degree tear that still gives me issues 11 years later. Talk about empowered! My midwife said she was sure I would end up with a c-section but I powered though. It was a horrible vaginal birth...that isn't to scare anyone, it just wasn't beautiful and frankly, I didn't touch my daughter for hours because I was in shock.
So, when the second one came around 2 years later they induced me because they were afraid my episiotomy would tear open. I had the same thoughts, no epidural, etc. But, at 5 cm. they figured out that his head was wedged behind my ribcage and he was breech. So, I became an emergent c-section because he was engaging in my pelvis and they had to get him out. This was my first surgery, first stitches, first spinal...eeekkk!
With the third I made an appointment for a c-section and I had the best birth experience ever!! I am planning on another scheduled c-section.
Long story, geez! As for expectations, I was an all natural type that didn't want lots of interventions. Well, the joke was on me. However, what I really wanted was a healthy baby. When I was told he was breech I knew what that meant. I had no power in that moment but I had picked an amazing team of doctors and an amazing hospital so I knew I was i good hands. Moral of the story: you never know what is going to happen. For me, the c-sections are amazing and I just let it be in my surgeons hands and I enjoy the moment of seeing the baby.