Preparing for Childbirth.

Even though we're still (just over) two months away, Jason and I have been actively preparing for the BIG DAY! As I have mentioned before, I am terrified of hospitals and have been really nervous about this whole "giving birth" thing. So being as educated as possible has really helped me to calm down and feel more confident about the whole experience. 

The past few weeks we have been taking childbirth classes and I am so glad we did (Jason will probably say otherwise). Even though I had read pretty much all of the information in books or online, it was nice to hear everything again and I was glad Jason was forced into learning this stuff too...because we all know he's not going to be reading any baby books. The class was three sessions long and pretty much covered it all from the stages of labor, medication options, c-sections & other procedures, post-birth care for moms and of course the famous breathing techniques. 

Then, earlier this week we did a tour of the birthing center at the hospital where our little nugget will be born. 

After seeing the hospital, the labor rooms, the postpartum rooms, learning about their typical procedures and learning all I need to know in our birthing classes, I finally felt confident in creating a birth plan. I found some great worksheets online which I used to create an initial plan, then I brought it to my doctors appointment yesterday to discuss my options and thoughts with my doctor. I am obsessed with my doctor and trust her completely, so I really wanted her input. 

Initially, I had written down my preferences in regards to every little detail (using this awesome template: http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/free-birth-plan). The template was super helpful in deciding what was most important to me and was also a great way to share my thoughts and discuss our options with Jason so that we were both on the same page. However, if I walked in to the hospital with that 4 page plan the nurses would not only laugh at me but there's no way they'd read through the whole thing. SO, I shortened "The Plan" down to what is really most important to me.

Those who know me well will probably be shocked to hear that I want to attempt to do this naturally. The more research I've done, the more freaked out I've become of epidurals. I really want to go in with an open mind (something that is VERY difficult for me) and do everything in my power to get through this without the help of medication. I've never done this before, so I don't know what to expect-- maybe I'm fully capable of natural childbirth or maybe I'll be screaming for the meds within minutes. Either way, I am fully aware that this baby dictates the plan and everything I thought I wanted could easily be thrown out the window at the start of the first contraction. Nonetheless, I have done a lot of research and together with my husband have decided that IDEALLY this is what is best for me and our daughter:

• If I go past my due date and the baby and I are fine, I'd prefer to go into labor naturally rather than be induced. 
• I would like to labor at home for as long as possible.
• Please do not offer pain medication. {if I decide I need and want it, trust me, everyone in the room will know}
• I prefer to be monitored intermittently to allow for as much mobility as possible {Plus, pretty sure I don't need a monitor to tell me when I'm having a contraction. I trust I'll be able to figure that out on my own.}
• I'd like to set the mood with my own music and dimmed lights {ugh, florescent hospital lights are the worst!} and I'd prefer to wear my own clothes during labor and delivery.
• I would like to be encouraged to try whatever positions feel right at the time. 

After Nugget makes her debut:

• Please wait for the umbilical cord to stop pulsing before being clamped, and allow my husband to cut the cord.
• As long as my baby is healthy, I would like her placed immediately skin-to-skin.
• Please delay all non-essential routine procedures until after the bonding and breastfeeding period.
• My baby is to be exclusively breastfed, please do not offer any formula, artificial nipples, pacifiers or sugar water.

I know this plan isn't for everyone, and I'm sure everyone has an opinion and who knows, maybe when this is all over I'll think that this was the dumbest plan of all time. BUT, my hope is to navigate this new adventure with the help and support of my husband (no critics welcome) and I know that the two of us will find our way. And with that, I have just a quick note to my daughter...


Dear Daughter, 

Please cooperate with mama's plan. 

Thank you!