With Trent, I didn't take the time to educate myself on my birth options and my vision for delivery. I thought a birth plan was actually a silly idea and trusted that my doctor would know best and do what was best for me and the baby. I also had the attitude that I wouldn't go in with a plan for pain medication but would use it if I decided I needed it. All that {in my opinion} combines for a typical labor - I was induced when it wasn't needed, I asked for an epidural really early in the day, we almost needed a c-section... For me, we got the end result that we wanted {healthy baby/healthy mommy}, but it was a traumatic experience. In hindsight, I was really disappointed in myself for not going into delivery much more prepared and educated.
When I was pregnant with Drew, I decided I wanted to be a little smarter. I watched some documentaries about the birth process, read quite a few books, took a pain management class, switched OBs to a more natural friendly practice, hired a doula... I wanted a natural delivery, and I did everything I could to ensure we could make it happen. And it did! I got more long-winded in the process as well so Drew's birth story is 2 parts {here and here}. I really don't think the experience could have gone any better - it really was the ideal birth I hoped for.
This time around, my goals are the same as with Drew: I want a vaginal, unmedicated natural birth. BUT really my ultimate goal is that everyone is healthy at the end of the day. I trust my OB group, and I know that if they think I need to be induced or if I need a c-section, I will be 100% okay with it. I have updated my birth plan and have shown it to them and gotten their blessing. {Oh the Allena of 2009 would laugh at this!} I am prepared for wherever the experience takes us and knowing I've had an unmedicated birth before, I'm excited to do it again, but I also don't feel like I will miss out if things don't go as planned. I am not planning on using a doula this time because I think Brent and I can handle labor this time - we will see if I regret that!
I am starting to think and wonder about what Smoochie's birth story will be. It is really cool to know an amazing story is about to play out and yet have no idea what that story will be! Will I go into labor on my own? Will it be a quick labor like Drew's? Will I need to be induced? Will it start in the middle of the night? Will it be quick again? {I hope we can get to the hospital earlier!} Will I be late {please no!}? Will we have another chunky monkey {probably}? I have been reading lots of birth stories because they just make me happy and excited and am really getting emotionally ready for this!!! I also hired a birth photographer this time around. Lindsey did our family photos last year, and is an amazing photographer, so I can't wait to see how the pictures turn out. I think it is going to be so cool to have that 'It's a ...' moment captured on film.
So there you have it...my ramblings on this upcoming birth. I really can't wait to see how it all plays out!!!
2 comments:
Can't wait to hear the story of baby smoochie!
Wishing you the best for this baby! It's funny because I was the opposite - first baby I wanted an unmediated, vaginal birth (which ended in a c-section after I stopped progressing for hours). Second baby all I wanted was a VBAC (which ended in a c-section), and whenever we have our third, I'm scheduling that c-section weeks in advance, ha! But I will always be envious of women with beautiful natural births. It's just not in the cards for my body!
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