Lilypie Expecting a baby Ticker

17.5.06

8 Months

Argh...pregnancy is tiring. However, I am getting more and more excited as the birthing day draws nearer! Joey and I are starting to talk about preparations and will soon be making a list of what we have to take to the hospital (it's going to be A LOT since we have to provide all the props needed for active birth). Then, we'll be packing what we can of it so it will be ready for the big day!
We had a doctor's appointment Monday that went really well. I saw a different midwife because mine was out of town. But this one was just as excellent as Shelly. When I go into labor and go to the hospital any of the 9 midwives will deliver my baby. At first this made me nervous, but now I understand why that is possible without much discomfort. All of the midwives practice under the same philosophy, which is that birth is natural and they are there not to interfere but to be a help in the process. This is much different than I would get if it were one of 9 doctors that might deliver me because they all have their own techniques and plans for your birth according to how they feel medicine is best practiced. Also, at our next appointment, we will be making out a birth plan that will be at Vanderbilt for all the people involved in our care to have access to. This will tell all of our wishes about how we want the birth to go (under normal circumstances), and they will try and accomodate and follow that plan to the best of their abilities. Some things that will be on there: I want the baby skin to skin right when he is delivered and have him cleaned off while I am holding him. I want to breastfeed as soon as possible (after any stitching that might have to be done). I want the umbilical cord to stay intact until the baby is breathing well on his own (the umbilical cord continues to give the baby oxygen and then quits throbbing when the baby takes it's own breaths). I want my baby with me at all times as much as possible. I want my husband to sleep in the room with me on a cot. These are just some examples. You get the idea.

So that day is coming very soon! I want to say something to any of you who might be close enough to visit us as I think it will be good to let you know what I am thinking. During our, hopefully short, stay in the hospital, Joey and I both are going to be very concerned with making sure the baby has as much contact with the two of us as possible. In the different parenting research I have done and what I have decided to go with, this time is very important for bonding between the parents and baby. It is also very important to make the baby's transition into the world as comfortable as possible. Because, at birth, he has known only me for his whole life, it would be traumatic for him to be taken away from added to all the new things he is already encountering. As the days go by and he can eat and see and get adjusted to everything around him, it will be appropriate to introduce more of his family to him. It is important for him to form trust and attachment to those individuals as well when he is ready. For example, Joey's family is coming a week or two after the baby gets here, which is perfect because he will be somewhat more used to all the new things around him and we will hopefully be feeling better enough to enjoy company. While I am in the hospital, I would love to have some visitors because my family's support is so much needed at times like these. I just want to say now, ahead of time, that I don't know how I will feel or how long I will feel like having visitors if at all. I am also not going to worry much over this. I feel like my only responsibility in the first few days the baby is born are to be with him and introduce him slowly to Joey and this new world. That being said, it will probably be best for most visitors to see us after we have been home for a couple of days and have had time to be alone and bond with our new baby. I love all of you and want you to be a part in his life very soon!!

Well, I hope we can all benefit from being open with our ideas and feelings. My wish is that I can talk about these things now so I can have everyone's support when the important days arrive!

Thanks for reading!

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