I've had several blog friends have babies lately and it has brought me back to when I was due with Paisley. You have so many thoughts, hopes, worries and expectations about the biggest day of your life. Everyone tells you what to prepare for and what to bring to the hospital (turns out I needed a nanny and lots of vaginal ice packs) and of course shares their own horror stories as if that will help you somehow. And many girls make out detailed birth plans with every aspect of a birth planned out to a T.
But babies don't read birth plans (or sleep books for that matter). They come when they want as if due dates mean nothing to them. I mean, are they not following our countdown calendars? I was just trying to get some extra sleep on a Saturday morning when Paisley woke me up with gut-wrenching contractions. Not my plan.
And I know so many girls who are forever disappointed that they had a c-section and didn't get to experience natural childbirth. In my opinion, nothing about it is "natural". And nothing about it was all that beautiful either. You should have seen my episiotomy!
But all that matters in the end is that a healthy baby is brought into the world and placed safely in your arms. And I honestly think that no matter how it happens, where it happens or when it happens, you probably always wish you could have changed something. I wish I hadn't panicked so much when I went into labor. I wish I'd taken the time to shower and look decent considering I despise the photos of me from that day. I wish Aaron and I had more alone time together during labor. And I wish that epidurals could be placed before the contractions begin. :)
Paisley is here though and she's perfect. And my birth plan goals were all actually met. Pretty easy since I only had 2. Make it to the hospital and get an epidural. Check and check. So, keep it simple. Nope, it isn't necessarily fun and definitely not easy, but it's one day. Just get the baby here safely and with as little pain as possible (just my preference). Unless you love pain. Then go for it. :)
But babies don't read birth plans (or sleep books for that matter). They come when they want as if due dates mean nothing to them. I mean, are they not following our countdown calendars? I was just trying to get some extra sleep on a Saturday morning when Paisley woke me up with gut-wrenching contractions. Not my plan.
And I know so many girls who are forever disappointed that they had a c-section and didn't get to experience natural childbirth. In my opinion, nothing about it is "natural". And nothing about it was all that beautiful either. You should have seen my episiotomy!
But all that matters in the end is that a healthy baby is brought into the world and placed safely in your arms. And I honestly think that no matter how it happens, where it happens or when it happens, you probably always wish you could have changed something. I wish I hadn't panicked so much when I went into labor. I wish I'd taken the time to shower and look decent considering I despise the photos of me from that day. I wish Aaron and I had more alone time together during labor. And I wish that epidurals could be placed before the contractions begin. :)
Paisley is here though and she's perfect. And my birth plan goals were all actually met. Pretty easy since I only had 2. Make it to the hospital and get an epidural. Check and check. So, keep it simple. Nope, it isn't necessarily fun and definitely not easy, but it's one day. Just get the baby here safely and with as little pain as possible (just my preference). Unless you love pain. Then go for it. :)
You just made me breathe a sigh of relief because my birth plan is just that simple. Get to the hospital, get epidural and get baby. And of course that everybody is healthy and okay! So many people have detailed plans (which is fine..to each their own) but sometimes it makes me think if I am like a bad mom because I dont have a 4 pager birth plan :) So thanks for this :)
ReplyDeletelol, nice! I agree totally. If my family isn't proof that plans are foolish things, I don't know what is, lol! The thing I wish I could change was my intense anxiety about how I would parent 2 babies. It overshadowed everything and I never had that unbridled joy I see some moms have after having their babies. I was so terrified...and so VERY tired. I wish I could have enjoyed her more as a newborn. Ah well. It is what it is. Thanks for posting your thoughts! I was the same way - give me a healthy baby (and obviously let me be healthy too!) and I was all set:)!
ReplyDeletefirst of all, I do read all the time but am too lazy to get off google reader and comment. but I'm glad you kept blogging cuz paisley is so stinkin cute!!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to second (and third and fourth!) the vaginal ice packs! holy cow I was not prepared for the swelling!
when my son was born in September, my husband was the only person there because our families live thousands of miles away and it was the most special time I have ever had with him. if you have another, I highly recommend no one else until baby is born and you've had a chance to hop in the shower so you don't feel like a bloody mess :-)
I agree on the birth plan! My dr said did you ge pregnant to have a natural birth or a baby? To each his own, but I loved my epidural nd the nap it let me take!
ReplyDeleteI agree, if you have another it is so nice fr just you and hubby. For all but the last 10 minutes it was just ray and the nurse and I. It was cam and intimate.
Perfect well said! Definitely getting that epidural ASAP for the second baby. :)
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up! I was sad I had to have a c-section. Then I hear you all talk about vaginal ice packs & contractions & I'm thankful for c-sections! I did a scheduled c-section with the second one (even though the doctor said we could try natural) - No thanks! Its nice to calmly walk in the hospital, get your IV & Epidural then have them hand you a baby!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more! My doctor asked for my birth plan and I said, "Get him out. Pain- free if possible!"
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the pain would be later and require icepacks, but by then, all that mattered was having him.
i love that you comment that babies don't read birth plan books or sleep books! So true :)!!!
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