For any other expecting moms out there, you may be wondering what to include on your birth plan. I found a great website that lets you create your own simply by reading through their suggestions and checking the box next to an item that fits your wishes. I had never heard of birth plans before getting pregnant, but it's basically a list of requests that lets your nurses understand your desires during labor, delivery, and the care of your newborn.
Roger and I created ours a few days ago. I realize that this plan would not be suitable for everyone, but this would be our ideal labor and delivery. Let's face it though, I've never done this before and there comes a point when pain becomes more than pain, it becomes suffering. At that point, I'll ask for interventions.
Labor
I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labor, including laboring in a tub.
I would prefer to keep the number of vaginal exams to a minimum.
I do not want an IV unless I become dehydrated.
I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring unless it is required by the condition of the baby. When intermittent monitoring is necessary, I wish to have a telemetry monitor.
I do not wish to have the amniotic membrane ruptured artificially unless signs of fetal distress require internal monitoring.
I realize that many pain medications exist I'll ask for them if I need them.
I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for the baby's safety.
Delivery
I would like to try to deliver on my side or in a squatting position, using a squatting bar for support.
I would like a mirror available so I can see the baby's head when it crowns.
I would like to have the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
Newborn Care
I would like to have Roger cut the cord.
I would like to have the baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
I would like to donate the umbilical cord blood.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Update
I've pushed back my due date to August 5th because as you may know, we are going for an intervention free labor and delivery. Because ultrasounds and my cycle have placed me anywhere from August 1st to August 5th, it's best to get used to the idea of the baby coming later rather than sooner so an induction doesn't sound quite so inticing. I'm trying to re-adjust my thought process and celebrate weekly milestones on Tuesdays rather than Fridays. Hopefully by 40 weeks, I'll be used to the change.
The pregnancy has been uneventful, which is definitely a good thing - especially since two women that are a month or so ahead of me are/have been induced for low fluid levels at 36 weeks. We finish our Lamaze classes next Thursday with a class party. It's been such a good class and I'm going to miss going each week!
I'm up 18 pounds and growing by the week. I had to retire a pair of maternity capris because they only have side panels (no stretchy panel in the front) and they were just too uncomfortable to wear for more than an hour at a time! Good thing I bought them from the resale shop for only $7!
The only other thing I've accomplished baby wise since my last post was making all the curtains for the baby's room. So far, I've gone through almost 36 yards of fabric and I haven't even started on the bedding yet! Pictures to come! 
The pregnancy has been uneventful, which is definitely a good thing - especially since two women that are a month or so ahead of me are/have been induced for low fluid levels at 36 weeks. We finish our Lamaze classes next Thursday with a class party. It's been such a good class and I'm going to miss going each week!
I'm up 18 pounds and growing by the week. I had to retire a pair of maternity capris because they only have side panels (no stretchy panel in the front) and they were just too uncomfortable to wear for more than an hour at a time! Good thing I bought them from the resale shop for only $7!
The only other thing I've accomplished baby wise since my last post was making all the curtains for the baby's room. So far, I've gone through almost 36 yards of fabric and I haven't even started on the bedding yet! Pictures to come!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
What's been going on lately...
It's been a while since I posted! We've been so involved with our bathroom remodel that the pregnancy just seems to be flying by unnoticed!
In other news, I had my 29 week appointment today and also met with a pediatrician yesterday. Both went well. I'm happy with the pediatrician that we are going with and everything is measuring as it should be and the heart beat sounds strong. The baby is still transverse (sideways). In another 4 to 5 weeks if the baby hasn't figured it out on it's own yet, there are some exercises and positions that I can get into to encourage the baby to go head down. Also, accupuncture is a consideration, but again, I want to give the baby a chance to show me he or she can manage this process on their own!
One thing I have noticed recently is how tight my stomach is getting. And with that tightness has come some weight gain! Once again, I went through a growth spurt and managed to gain 5 pounds in the past 4 weeks, bringing my total weight gain to this point at 16 pounds! It's strange to step on the scale and see these high numbers and not be concerned about it! I just don't want the weight gain to get out of control and to a point where it's excessive and hard to lose after the baby comes.
I had a shower thrown by friends over the past weekend and received some great gifts for the baby! Among the many things were a Boppy Lounger, Swing, Baby First Aid Kit, everything to stock my diaper bag, a Diaper Dekor disposal system, a baby bathtub, a Gymini Play Mat, and assorted blankets, hooded towels, outfits!
In other news, I had my 29 week appointment today and also met with a pediatrician yesterday. Both went well. I'm happy with the pediatrician that we are going with and everything is measuring as it should be and the heart beat sounds strong. The baby is still transverse (sideways). In another 4 to 5 weeks if the baby hasn't figured it out on it's own yet, there are some exercises and positions that I can get into to encourage the baby to go head down. Also, accupuncture is a consideration, but again, I want to give the baby a chance to show me he or she can manage this process on their own!A 30 week belly picture coming soon!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Baby Girl Names
We've decided that if we have a boy, his name will be Scott Matthew. We aren't quite so sure what we'll name the baby if it's a girl. Please vote using the poll in the sidebar for your favorite.
Here's a little background on your choices. I was born Christina but called Christie. This has kind of been tricky growing up because I have a formal name that no one calls me but is used on all official paperwork, and then I have the name that I go by. I would really prefer to name our child what we are going to call him or her. If you see one name listed (as in Lia) that means we would name and call her Lia, but if you see two names listed, then that means we would name her the first name, but call her by the second name.
Baby girl's middle name would be Lynn in every scenario.
Malia, but call her Lia
Malia
Lia
Alison, but call her Ali
Ali
Brooke
Kaley
Here's a little background on your choices. I was born Christina but called Christie. This has kind of been tricky growing up because I have a formal name that no one calls me but is used on all official paperwork, and then I have the name that I go by. I would really prefer to name our child what we are going to call him or her. If you see one name listed (as in Lia) that means we would name and call her Lia, but if you see two names listed, then that means we would name her the first name, but call her by the second name.
Baby girl's middle name would be Lynn in every scenario.
Malia, but call her Lia
Malia
Lia
Alison, but call her Ali
Ali
Brooke
Kaley
Thursday, May 1, 2008
27 week belly
It feels like I'm getting ready to go through another growth spurt so stay tuned for further updates!
We start Lamaze classes tonight (or as Roger likes to call them - LeMans class). I had my one hour glucose test on Monday and the results came back today. I passed with a test result of 101 mg/dl. Anything under 130 to 140 is fine and doesn't require the additional 3 hour glucose test. Now here's a situation where I researched too much and read too many people's "horror" stories about the glucose test and worried myself for no reason! I had five minutes to drink the drink and I expected to need every bit of those five minutes based on how terrible I thought the drink would taste! I finished it in one minute. To me, it tasted just a little bit sweeter than regular orange soda. It certainly was not the end of the world! I didn't get nauseous, sweaty, light headed, dizzy, or weak at any point during the test. I brought a book, read about 50 pages, and had my blood drawn an hour later. End of story! Bottom line - don't research something too much ahead of time and don't get caught up in people's bad experiences!
We start Lamaze classes tonight (or as Roger likes to call them - LeMans class). I had my one hour glucose test on Monday and the results came back today. I passed with a test result of 101 mg/dl. Anything under 130 to 140 is fine and doesn't require the additional 3 hour glucose test. Now here's a situation where I researched too much and read too many people's "horror" stories about the glucose test and worried myself for no reason! I had five minutes to drink the drink and I expected to need every bit of those five minutes based on how terrible I thought the drink would taste! I finished it in one minute. To me, it tasted just a little bit sweeter than regular orange soda. It certainly was not the end of the world! I didn't get nauseous, sweaty, light headed, dizzy, or weak at any point during the test. I brought a book, read about 50 pages, and had my blood drawn an hour later. End of story! Bottom line - don't research something too much ahead of time and don't get caught up in people's bad experiences!
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