Advice

I know there are a lot of pregnant people out there who feel the same way I do. Especially first time moms. Now ... I know my dreams probably seem unrealistic to a lot of people. Corey and I want a natural birth with zero interference. Corey and I also want a healthy baby with a great birthing experience. I don't know why so many people are adamant that THAT is impossible. Believe it or not ... it is a realistic dream. It will take determination, heart and a the right support. Corey and I have hired a doula, her name is Lisa and this is her website. http://www.birthrhythm.com/ You can read up on doula's on your own time.

I am SO sick of hearing that ... I don't know what I'm in for. My experiences in the hospital (2 of my 3 miscarriages) were horrible. If they are anything like what my birth experience is going to be like, I'd rather stay home. The labor itself wasn't so bad, but I will admit I did ask for pain medication and I am SICK AND TIRED and ready to snap at the next person that says I'll need an epidural because of this. There is a WORLD of difference between laboring for a baby you will be taking home ... and laboring ... only to go home empty handed and broken hearted.

I am dreading the hospital. I don't want to be controlled and I do not want strangers touching me in any way shape or form. Although I am prepared to need help and I am prepared to accept help, I am not prepared to deal with any rudeness, or lack of respect while I am there. I firmly, very firmly believe, that birth is a private miracle that the hospital is PRIVILEGED to host. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that there have been so many advances in medicine because there is always the what ifs. I know there are great nurses and bad nurses. I know they've seen a lot of labor and usually have good advice, and if they are suggesting a position or possibly helping me breathe ... I hardly think I'll be annoyed ;-) On the other hand, if they start trying to push an epidural or criticising... I might lose my cool.

I AM nervous about childbirth and labor and I DON'T need to hear horror stories. If you have a story about how you dealt with nosy nurses or if you have a story about how wonderful the nurses were I'd LOVE to hear it ... but I don't just want to hear how great they were I want to know WHY they were great. I want to know if I ask them to leave the room, if they will. I want to know how they deal with people who don't want certain procedures until absolutely necessary, such as an IV, although I know an IV can be a great way for hydration, let's just say I would rather not at the time. I want to know how many nurses are there during delivery. I know these questions can be asked at the hospital, but I want to hear the truth from people who have experienced it. And when someone tells me that I'll hardly notice how many people are there ... let me tell you ... I have NEVER forgotten how many people invaded my privacy during my miscarriages and I will NEVER forget how disrespected I felt. If I had to compare it to something I would compare it to rape.

I have decided to stay away from negative influences or people who are having a bad time of things. I don't need the extra stress or tension and prefer to surround myself with supportive and positive people. I know this all seems rude, ignorant and ... arrogant but if you take a minute to look at it from my point of you I think you'll understand why I feel the way I do. I want to be as relaxed and confident as possible going into this experience because it is the most important thing I am going to do for my baby. No matter what the outcome, natural, medicated or C-section ... it's very important to me to feel as if it was Mine and Corey's labor experience and that everyone else was just there to help when we needed it.

Since I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with the nurses there, they are the ones who will be monumental in my experience, I am VERY open to hearing advice on how to word things so they aren't insulted or angry. I am VERY excited to hear of anyone who has good things to say and even if you had a bad experience I don't mind hearing about it and how you would have changed it. I don't want to hear ... how you ABSOLUTELY needed the epidural ... I want to hear how you were treated every step of the way. Is it too much to ask for ... to be respected during one of the most natural and amazing experiences of a person's life? I know things won't be perfect and I'm not refusing any type of help that I may need if absolutely necessary to save my baby. I am not willing to get a procedure just to speed things up. So please, if anyone has a good story ... I really could use the cheering up. In the end, it's in God's hands, but he gave me a mind, strength and a heart for a reason.