Mommy's Taking it Easy

My due date came....and went.  I did decide that Thursday would be my last day at work though.  Friday I cleaned like a mad lady.  Gotta make sure that my little one comes home to a clean nest.

I don't know how many of you may be writing your own birth plans right now, but I wanted to share mine with you in case you are.  There is so much to think about.

Birth Plan

For Hospital Admission:
We request:

·         To decline routine IV prep upon admission

·         To have the following persons present during my delivery: my husband and my doula

·         To decline discussion on pain tolerance or pain levels

During Thinning and Opening Phase of Labor:
We request:

·         The patience and understanding of medical caregivers to refrain from any practice or procedure that could unnecessarily stand in the way of our having the most natural birth possible

·         Only necessary hospital staff (no observers)

·         No discussion of pain or pain medication unless requested

·         To be free of blood pressure cuff between readings

·         In absence of medical necessity, only intermittent monitoring of baby’s heart

·         No internal monitoring in the absence of fetal distress

·         Freedom of choice to walk and move or not walk and move during labor

·         To change positions and assume labor positions of choice

·         Minimal number of vaginal exams

·         To let labor take its natural course without reference to “moving things along”

·         To be given the privacy to practice nipple stimulation to further the progress of labor if needed

·         To be fully apprised of and consulted for any medical procedure

·         No augmentation of labor via Pitocin, amniotomy, or stripping of membranes without discussion and explanation of need

·         To enjoy labor shower prior to ROM

·         To use my birthing ball

During Birth:

We request:

·         To allow natural birthing instincts to facilitate the decent of the baby as much as possible

·         Mother-directed breathing techniques without prompts

·         No pushing prompts

·         Use of birthing stool or birthing bar for squatting position

·         Use of perineal massage, warm compresses, and mother-directed pushing to decrease risk of tearing (no episiotomy)

·         Use of suction device instead of forceps if medically necessary

·         Use of mirror if requested

·         Father to remain with baby in the event of a surgical procedure

·         Allow natural placental delivery using immediate breastfeeding, uterine massage, and nipple stimulation

For Baby:

We request:

·         Have bright lights temporarily removed until baby is moved to mother’s chest

·         Use of soft cloth when stimulating baby

·         Delay cord clamping or cutting until after pulsation has ceased

·         Cord cut by father

·         Allow baby to remain with me (delay bath time) for 1-2 hours after birth

·         Delay use of antibiotic treatment to allow optimal sight for bonding

·         No Hepatitis B shot

·         Oral Vitamin K to be used if it is available; if not, delay injection until after baby is acclimated

·         Place a soft cloth or blanket between baby and scale

·         Father will stay with baby and mother throughout hospital stay

·         Breastfeeding several times during the first few hours after birth

·         Breastfeeding only.  No bottles, formula, pacifier, artificial nipples.

·         I would like to learn about of have demonstrated for me the following:

o   Proper bathing of the baby

o   Breastfeeding Techniques (by lactation consultant)

o   Umbilical cord care

We thank you in advance for your support and kind attention to our choices.  We know you join us in looking forward to a beautiful birth!

I know it seems like a lot, but it fits on the front and half of the back of one piece of baby pink cardstock.  I am not so naive to think that everything will go exactly as I have planned, but at least I have thought about what an ideal situation would be like.

Update:

How far along? 40 weeks

Total weight gain: 38 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Oh yeah!

Stretch marks? All of the sudden I have three little lines on the lower part of my belly.  I hope they will fade away after delivery

Sleep: I'm having a hard time sleeping.  Every position I try is uncomfortable, I have to pee every few hours, and every little move she makes convinces me that I am in labor.  I did go ahead and buy a waterproof mattress cover in case my water breaks in the middle of the night.

Best moment of the week: Having my last day at work on Thursday and knowing that stress is over for a little while.  My blood pressure had been a little high at my last two doctor's visits, so my midwife encouraged me to leave work and buy a blood pressure cuff for the house to keep an eye on it.  I already feel much more relaxed.

Miss anything? Having patience.  I feel like my discomfort has made me a bit of a grouch the past few weeks.  My hubby deserves a reward (besides having a beautiful healthy little girl) when all of this is over.

Movement: Not as much as before, but it's getting a little cramped in there I'm sure.  She usually goes crazy right after I eat dinner.

Food cravings: I know this isn't really food, but Dunkin Donuts decaf pumpkin coffee tastes A-mazing to me right now.

Food aversions: No big ones lately.

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: When I went to the doctor on Wednesday, I hadn't made any progress since my last visit.  Talk about a let down.  I have been trying everything to get labor started (sex, nipple stimulation, walking, evening primrose oil, spicy food).  Last night we got some eggplant Parmesan and raspberry leaf tea since both of those things are supposed to help too.  No news yet.

Symptoms: I have definitely experienced lightening.  I am having some pinky show from her head pushing down so much and of course there is the constant running to the bathroom.  My swelling goes up and down.  Some days it seems better and some days I'm right back to having elephant ankles.

Belly button in or out? Pretty much flat.

Wedding rings on or off? I'm still faking it with my aquamarine.

Looking forward to: Seeing and holding my little girl for the first time.  Every day past her due date feels like an extra week.