Category Archives: pregnant

Is A Birthing Plan Necessary?

When I was pregnant with my daughter, people, including my doctor, asked me what my birthing plan was. My birthing plan was, well, to give birth. That is as far as I had gotten. In my second trimester I realized there was more than one way to deliver, which besides being confusing, was quite scary.

I am now pregnant with my second child. My birthing plan is, well, to give birth. Despite all the different methods of delivery I read about the first time around, I just went the old fashioned way. I am not sure I want to get all fancy with my birthing. I don’t think I want to have to follow some elaborate direction manual on the big day. Actually, I don’t think I could. I will be far too preoccupied with the task at hand to stop and think of the best way to do it.

Once again I want to show up at the hospital, lie on the bed, probably have an epidural, and give birth. I am not going to worry about my breathing exercises, as I will probably end up hyperventilating anyway. I am not going to try to give birth in a giant pool of water while I practice synchronized swimming. I am not going to perform complicated yoga tricks (as amusing as this may be for the staff). And I am certainly not going to execute any movements that could quite possibly be misconstrued as a Cirque Du Soleil audition.

I understand some women feel the need for birthing plans, especially since it makes them feel as though they have more control over the situation. However, despite the best laid plans, you may still end with an emergency c-section (and I do not wish this for anyone). You may still have the episiotomy you were hoping not to need. And in the end you will still get the beautiful baby you were waiting for. So yes, I mock the birthing plan, but really, each to his own.

Do you, or did you have a birthing plan? Did it help?

How To Pack For Delivery Day

There are a lot of articles out there dedicated to lists of things to bring to the hospital with you when you go into labor. When I gave birth to my daughter I consulted numerous such lists, and inevitably ended up packing for an extended Caribbean cruise as opposed to a 48 hour hospital stay. As my son’s due date approaches I have comprised a list of things I actually needed and used the first time around. Some of the items on this list seem obvious, which causes them to be often overlooked.Also, packing in advance and putting the suitcase in the closet for future use prevents a lot of last minute panicking. However, some of the items on this list will not be packable until you are ready to leave for the hospital, so having a list out for a last minute check can be helpful. I remember having mine taped to my front door, reminding me of any minute items that needed to be grabbed as we rush out the door.

Robe – your doctor will most likely tell you to take a stroll down the hall a few times a day. Most hospitals run cold, and you also may not be dressed appropriately to step out in public (not that you would want to be).

Pajamas or night gown – I preferred a night gown. Made everything much easier.

Socks

Slippers – something easy to slip on and off without too much struggling.

Underwear – you can never over pack on these. You will go through several pairs per day, so take along as many as you like. No thongs or itsy bitsy ones. If there was ever a time for the granny panty, this is it.

Bra – regular bra and/or nursing bras will be helpful.

Nursing pads – whether you plan on nursing or not, these will come in handy in the first few days to protect against any unwanted leakage (as if leakage was ever wanted).

Sanitary napkins – the high absorbency kind are best at this stage. Panty liners come later.

Chap stick

Tooth brush/tooth paste

Soap – the stuff they provide at the hospital is not usually that good and it does not smell very nice either.

Body lotion

Deodorant

Shampoo/Conditioner – nothing will feel as good as your first shower after giving birth. Cleanliness takes on a whole new meaning.

Nipple cream – in case your little one is more aggressive than you anticipated.

Hair brush

Make up – you will have hoards of people coming to visit you, so if you are anything like me, you want to look presentable when they pop in to see how you are doing.

Glasses/saline solution – they say you should not wear contacts when giving birth. Well, taking them out was not on my priority list as I was in labor, and the thought completely escaped me until the next day. So, bring some eye drops, saline solution, and/or glasses with you.

Ipod/electronic device – there will be many hours of nothingness where you will want to keep yourself entertained to some degree. Bring music, a Kindle, Nintendo DS, or whatever will sooth you.

Book/magazines – See above.

Cash – hospitals are not best known for their culinary skills. I was not terribly disappointed by the food provided, but it was nice to have a little extra cash to get some vending machine goodies in between meals.

Camera/battery/charger – you will want to take lots of pictures of your bundle of joy. Some of you may want to videotape as well. Make sure your battery is fully charged beforehand and bring your charger with you for any additional power you may need.

Cell phone/charger – even though your phone may be surgically attached to your palm, your charger may not be as accessible. You don’t want to be left with no battery life while you are trying to inform the world about the birth of your beautiful baby. Also, if you have phone numbers stored elsewhere outside your phone, bring those along as well.

Going home clothes for you – after you give birth you will still look about five to six months pregnant, so bring along a comfortable, loose fitting outfit to wear home. Skip the jeans, you won’t be ready for those quite yet, nor will they feel very comfortable at this time (even if they are maternity jeans).

Going home clothes for baby – depending on what season you are giving birth, pack an outfit for baby, and don’t forget the booties and beanie since itsy bitsy babies get cold faster.

Insurance information/hospital preregistration – whether or not you are preregistered with the hospital, you will need your insurance information. I keep mine in my wallet at all times, but for those of you who don’t, pack it safely in your bag in an easily accessible place (burying it at the bottom of all of your other necessities might seem safe, but you will regret it when you are digging through your suitcase while having constant contractions and wanting nothing more than to lay down).

Birthing plan – if you have one, make sure you bring it to the hospital with you.

Infant car seat – you will not be allowed to leave the hospital without one.

What are some of your big day essentials?

Epidurals Are Not Optional

I know epidurals are controversial. I have read the pros and cons. I even had a co-worker become temporarily paralyzed from the waist down. For eight months she did not know if she would ever be able to walk again. She was fortunate enough to regain her motor skills, and is now perfectly fine, but I have to admit that added to my fear of getting an epidural.

Nevertheless, during labor I requested one. Some would call me weak, amongst other things.
Despite what decision you make, it is ultimately your choice. I know it is not necessary for delivery, but I felt slighted when my insurance refused to pay for it. I got the bill in the mail a few months later, and when I inquired about it, they insurance company declared that it was not required for labor, and therefore I would be liable for it. Anesthesia is never required, but would the insurance company deny it for major surgery? Or even minor surgery?

Regardless of personal feelings about epidurals, why is delivery belittled in terms of pain? Sure women have been giving birth naturally since the beginning of time, but technically once upon a time they used to amputate limbs without anesthesia using unsterilized utensils. Does that mean we need to regress to that as well and start denying other patients pain relief?

Giving birth is a very violent and painful event. Kudos to those women who can tough it out, I have nothing but reverence for you. However, for the rest of us, I think we should not be denied the option unless we are willing to pay extra for it. Epidurals are not a luxury.