What I Plan On Doing Different: Labor and Delivery
Do you believe in having a birth plan?
I definitely did not; atleast not to the extent of writing one up and sharing it with my healthcare providers.
I knew what I wanted; which of course entailed doing things as natural as possible.
I wanted to walk and keep moving during labor.
I wanted to labor and deliver in the water.
I wanted to use nitro gas to help through the pain with a dim room and tea lights.
I wanted my midwife to deliver my baby and I wanted skin to skin immediately.
When i think back, none of that actually happened!
Let’s see what actually happened..
The day after Christmas I got induced due to initial signs of preeclampsia at 37w1d. I did have my chosen midwife that day. I tried to walk through the beginning of my labor but that didn’t last long due to technical difficulties with the wireless monitor. I didn’t get to labor in the tub for whatever reason. I didn’t get to use nitro gas. I felt confined to the bed. I ended up getting the epidural at about 2cm, ridiculous, I know! I got three boluses of that because it DID NOT work for me. All it did was concentrate the pain in one area! And my labor ended with an emergency c-section, leaving me so drugged up I could barely keep my eyes awake to take in the arrival of my new baby.
From that point on, the thought of labor and delivery had become mental trauma instead of a dream.
I wouldn’t exactly say that the outcome entailed a healthy mama
It’s so crazy how much I really did not know.
I was a first time mom to be with little knowledge, apparently.
For some reason I thought being induced would be a wonderful thing because I get to see my baby sooner.
NOPE! Never again will I allow any provider to medically induce me.
There are other ways to induce labor!
First off, Being medically induced means forcing your body to do something it’s not ready to do.
Secondly, inducing a pregnant woman with an unripened cervix is very likely to lead to more interventions and probably an emergency c-section, like me!
It may not be the same for every women but my point is to really educate yourself and be prepared to make decisions you never want to make !
To be honest I was a little relieved and scared to know I needed an emergency c-section. For some reason, I thought that an emergency c-section was going to be an easier way out of my pain. Let me tell you that it is NOT an easy way out and the pain I went through physically, mentally, and emotionally, scarred me!
Honestly ,YOU ARE YOUR ONLY ADVOCATE AND YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO DECLINE AN INTERVENTION AND SPEAK YOUR MIND!
So, let’s rewind back to making up a birth plan.
I want to create one this time.
What is the purpose?
A birth plan is a guideline for what expectant mothers would LIKE to happen during labour and birth. They help to give a sense of control and assist your providers in understanding what is important to YOU!
Caring for a patient means placing your patients needs and desires at the CENTER of care.
Creating a birth plan is giving YOU, the expectant mother, a voice.
It is not concrete. There’s a huge chance it won’t go exactly how you plan.
BUT! You still have the ability to ask questions, use your voice on your desires and educate yourself about creating a labor and delivery experience that you want, so that if something doesn’t go as planned you can know how to get around it and not just take your provider’s options as THE ONLY OPTIONS! Because more often than not, there is more than one way to do things.
Surprisingly, I’m having twins this time so I thought my options for delivery were extremely narrowed, but after talking to my midwives they have told me that it’s still possible to have a natural birth like any other birth.
More things I plan on doing.
More education on the laboring process with and without an epidural
The more knowledge and education you have is giving yourself more tools in your labor and delivery toolbox. Also, allows yourself to understand the process and reduce any fears associated with labor and delivery. Also, helps to know what is going on around you with your healthcare providers
Educating myself about preeclampsia
This is now part of my health history. So if I can understand better what causes it and how to hopefully reduce my chances of having it again that is a win
Understanding the different possible outcomes of this pregnancy
Because of my history and type of pregnancy it’s better for me to know every possible outcome and have some type of plan so that I’m not hurt by the failure of my ideal experience
Hiring a doula
This is actually important to me. To have someone who knows how to comfort me and keep me focused during times that I feel ready to give up. This person will help educate me and my husband so that he can also be that person for me. She will keep me informed and ALWAYS at the center of my care
Discussing early on with my healthcare team my wishes of wanting to do things as natural as possible and avoiding inductions and emergency c sections
I find it important to speak to your provider about your previous birth experience and how they effected you. The wishes that you have now based on past experiences so that you can discuss your current wishes and it not come as a surprise when it’s time for the babies to come.
This time around I pray for the outcome of TWO healthy babies and a healthy mama, including physically, emotionally, and mentally!
I will fight to get that outcome!
I pray the same over every expectant mother! My heart goes out to you!
So much love,
Ki’ari