[kynd mama]

Realizing, of course, that planning a birth is much like planning a thunderstorm! :LOL

So what are your plans for birth? What do you envision as the perfect birth for this babe? What are your just-in-case plans?

Since I asked, I may as well tell mine, eh??

As far as the birth goes, I don't have ANY plans! I envision laboring on a cold winter evening in front of the woodstove in my blow up fishy pool (lol)... children sleeping, my man an I loving and petting one another... (though this probably won't happen much this birth either, as I'm a water breaks, THEN labor starts kinda gal) ... a good hour of HARD crazy intense labor, then the birth of my little one (or two, I'd love that surprise!!).. and then some hot cocoa and a snack before settling back in our freshly lanundered flannel sheets for nursing and napping. (That is my perfect birth... oh, and if someone up there in Washington state could swing it... could it be snowing too?!

)

My just in case plans are very clear. I made sure M already is well versed in them. IF something goes awry with ME... he is to call someone over to watch the children, including the newborn. He is NOT to take the babe to the hospital... I don't want them touching my baby!! AND the only reason he is allowed to take me to the wolves is if I am bleeding so much that I am losing conciousness (sp?). Bleeding a bit doesn't bother me. I'd really have to be saving my life to go there. IF something is amiss with the BABY, and I can't yet think of ANYthing that I would take hir to the hospital yet... I would go alone, REFUSE "treatment" for myself, and stay with my lil babe until all was well.... but again, I can't think of anything that would be wrong with babe after birth? Not breathing? Well, that would need to be handled right away, so no time to call and go to the hospital... stillborn (

)... I still would not hand my precious baby over to examination, etc. I don't think that I would need to "know" what happend. I do have faith in love and creation, and if this babe's life is only as long as 10 months in utero, I would have to find the strength in myself and my faith to heal from it. I know I would regret handing over someone so precious to me to strangers. (not to mention the fact that I would no doubt have to deal with social services who would no doubt insinuate that I killed my baby somehow) I think that I would like to arrange a private burial on some remote land, no cemetary, etc...

That's just me... what about you?!?

 

[shell024]

Due in sept... in san francisco (right by the beach)

I envision waking up on a wonderful morning with dp...some foolin around... and then feeling a few contractions. He'll go off to work, as it won't be anything intense yet... and I will do some last minute around-the-house preparations like tidying up a bit, setting up the little pool that will be in our bedroom (we have a roommate so i don't want it in the living room). Eat a wholesome and delicious breakfast. Set up the candles, oil burner, and PLANTS (i get relaxed with plants and water around....nature!). Pillows galore and a bunch of towels nearby. Pick out my favorite relaxation music (unless i feel like total peace and quiet).
Contractions get a bit more intense, so I call dp to come home, pick up a bunch of fruits/veggies/cheese/whatever snacks and a bottle of wine. Being with dp and having him "humor" me is usually the quickest and most efficient way to get me relaxed...as long as he doesn't say something to irk me...lol...which is never predictable.
Maybe we'll sway together, possibly make love (if the situation permits!), or go for a walk outside (doubtful, as it is cold here, would require getting "dressed" and going down and up a flight of stairs....then again maybe that would set me into full labor when i walk in the door!).
I do plan on having a glass of wine if I am having trouble getting relaxed, or if i feel fear setting in...and there's the pool that I may get in and out of.
My mother never had a labor over 5 hours...same with my sister...so hopefully i won't break the tradition.
The birth itself will ideally go smoothly. I haven't decided if I or dp will "catch" but i guess it'll happen naturally (i have a feeling it'll be me...unless i'm in a strange position or something). We might be doing a lotus birth (partly for just plain natural reasons...and partly so that i can feel at ease that there will be a blood and oxygen supply as long as baby needs it). If I am bleeding a lot, we will probably cut the cord and I plan on throwing a chunk of the placenta down my throat...otherwise I will turn in into capsules.

The rest is family time for the 3 of us...rest n relaxation...and dp will be cleaning up the mess and getting a meal together for us. Whoo hoo! hehehe

of course...who knows if ANY of it will go this way...but it's nice to imagine.

 

[littleteapot]

In B.C., Canada - due in Dec.

Each time I have dreams or visions about this birth, I ALWAYS see it happen in the bath tub. I still want to buy a pool because I loved having it with my first. Even if I don't end up giving birth in it.

I see a shorter birth this time (my first was 44 hours hard labour, 2 hours pushing), but don't have many other expectations.

I think I know more this time.

The hospital is a 2 min drive from here, whereas in the place I had my first we HAD no hospital... if something serious had happened I'd face a 10 minute drive down back roads to the center, then an airlift across the ocean to the city hospital, then getting rushed into the OR... 20 minutes probably, if not more. I'm actually "safer" here then I was there in case of true emergency.

so, in the case of a real emergency we'd just call 911 and I'd be there in four minutes flat.

 

[JessJoy]

My first baby is due in late August or early September, which means it's going to be hot in good ol Richmond, VA!

I see myself getting happy and excited when the contractions start. For some reason, I feel like my husband and I will keep it light hearted with a great sense of humor, expecting no trouble. I'll call my Mom and she will begin the 4 hour drive to Richmond. She will be great support because she had me and my sister at home and is supportive of my UC decision.

We will have a birthing tub borrowed from a friend set up in our downstairs dining room which is conveniently located right next to the kitchen. We will fold up our gate leg dining room table and push it to the side as a supply table. There will be plenty of fresh towels and and sheets and a shower curtain in case I decide I'd rather labor outside of the water. The fridge will be stocked with my favorite foods, all of my birth herbs and tinctures will be prepared and I will let my dh get as much rest as possible. (He tends to be a work horse!)

DH and I will be in the pool alot kissing and being sweet and getting into our sexy birth. We will reassure each other that it's going to be beautiful and we will talk to our baby and encourage him/her to do whatever they need to do to come out peacefully. I really imagine being in total communication with the baby.

At some point my Mom will show up and get comfortable. DH will relax even more. I will eventually push the new little one out into the pool for DH to catch. We will recognize the baby instantly and we all fall in love! Mom gives me cayenne or whatever tincture I request. The placenta comes out easily (I may eat a little placenta) after I nurse my baby and we head up to our new king sized bed.

 

[cathicog]

Hi there. I am in Petersburg, and have you met anyone in the Richmond Families for Birthing Alternatives yet? There is a pretty big group there. Also ICAN of Richmond, and Commonwealth Midwives Alliance(although as a general rule, I think they are not enthusiastic about UC, whereas I am, because I have had one!) I am finishing up my CPM studies in TN, after we move(now in August) but if you need any info I will be here til then! And always for referral, as I know a lot of people [email protected] is my email if you would like to contact me...

 

[JessJoy]

:LOL Cathi, how amazing to find you so close! I have sent you a private email! Thanks for contacting me! Anyone else close to Richmond , Virginia?

Jess