Written: October 22nd, 1998
General
I'm hoping for many hours of warning before my contractions get close
enough to go to the hospital, so that I can rest at home for a little while,
and call everyone to let them know I'm starting labour. My plan is to call
my aunt Norma. She's going to drive me in to the hospital. Then, Chris
will be on his way up from university, and I'll call my other support
people to tell them that it's time.
I really want to try to have a natural birth. All through this pregnancy,
I've avoided all toxic substances, and so having an epidural doesn't seem
to fit in with that for me. However, I know that I do have a very low pain
threshold and I'm going to keep the idea of an epidural as a very close
plan B, and have it ready if I need it. If my labour is exceptionally long
or hard, or both, I know I will probably need it.
If I don't end up with an epidural, I plan to do lots of walking around the
hospital floor to help ease the contractions. My hospital also has great
jacuzzi tubs in the rooms, and I plan on making full use of them and the
shower. I'll be bringing in my own music, including tapes of ocean waves,
and rain. I still haven't decided what to use as my focal point yet, but
hopefully I'll find something in the next few weeks.
After the birth, I want to spend some time with Harmony before any tests
are done. Luckily, the hospital I'm with is very supportive of this view.
Right after the birth, the baby is placed skin to skin with the mother, while
the cord is cut. I've asked Chris if he would like to cut the cord, and he
hasn't decided. If he decides he doesn't want to, I think I would like to.
The baby gets to spend some time with the mother, and if she is ready
to breastfeed, I'll try and the nurses will be there to help me if I need it.
The babies are kept in rooms with the mothers, so I wont be away from her
for very long, unless she or I require special care. They've told me they might
want to keep me there a little longer since I'm a young single mother, but
as long as I have help at home, I think I'd like to go home as soon as possible.
My support people:
#1- Chris
Unless this baby arrives during (or close before) one of his exams,
Chris will be coming up from university to be here for the birth.
This is the main reason I hope Harmony arrives a little early, since his
exams start on the day before her due date. I really want him to be here
for her birth to support me and help me through this. I truly believe I
will be much stronger and more able to get through a natural labour with
him by my side. We started this journey together, we should both be
there to welcome *our* daughter into this world! I will
be relying heavily on him for support and comfort during the labour, and will
want only him with me at some points, such as when I'm in the bathtub. I sure
hope he remembers the massage techniques from pre-natal class! :)
#2- Krissie
Krissie is one of my closest friends and I'm glad she wants to be there
while I'm in labour. She's recently been through it (her daughter Lauren is only
20 months old) so I think she'll be really great at providing the well-needed
support. I trust Krissie a lot, and to me that's one of the most important
bonds you can have with a friend.
#3- Norma
My aunt Norma has helped me out a lot throughout my pregnancy. She's also been
through labour quite recently (my cousin Kathleen is a little over a year old)
and her labours have all been natural ones, so she can help support me in my
attempt at a natural labour.
I haven't quite decided yet, but I think I might also want Norma to be bring her
video camera to videotape most of the labour...
#4- Nadine
My friend Rhonda Lee had Nadine as her birth companion and says she's
really nice. I have yet to meet with her, and I still
have to decide if a birth companion is the right choice, but I think I will
want someone to be there who definetely knows, well, everything there is to
know about labour!
If Chris does end up coming, I may not lean as heavily on the rest of my
"support team" as I would if he isn't there.
Other poeple:
Although I don't think I would feel comfortable with them in the labour room,
there are some other people that would be welcome
to wait nearby in the waiting room as the time grew near:
My friends Sarah, Rhonda-Lee, and Jen (and they can come in once in a while
to say hi and give their support)
My grandmothers
My dad (if he gets here in time)
My other aunts
Chris' parents (although somehow I can't see them doing this...)
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