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Need some support...

lyswunklyswunk
in Attachment Parenting

I am currently 30 weeks pregnant with our 2nd baby and have started thinking a lot about the labor/delivery process (it'll be here before we know it)!! With my DD, my husband was in the delivery room and we also had a doula, who was a fantastic advocate for us and what we wanted and didn't want during the labor process. For the most part, we were able to do what we requested last time, but there are some things that I would change. We aren't having a doula this time, and I'm really nervous about speaking up, or remembering to in the midst of the pain when it comes to our preferences. For example, I really want the opportunity to move around as much as possible while I labor, use the birthing ball, take a shower, etc. Once the baby is born, I would like the staff to place the baby directly on me immediately and leave him or her there to do the apgar test and let me attempt to nurse right away.

Did anyone here have to request these types of things and what was the response from the hospital staff?

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Re: Need some support...

  • NeenTheBeanNeenTheBean
    I used a midwife for my last one so she already knew what I wanted and did what I wanted. My 1st 2 the hospital completely ignored my birth plan requests and I was too embarrassed to speak up. If you can have your DH be your voice. You have enough to deal with without trying to make sure your requests are followed. If you can try and talk to your provider about how you would go about making sure that the staff know what you would like to be done.
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  • sunnyday016sunnyday016 member

    I had a very supportive nurse who really encouraged me to do what I felt was natural in labor. She was the one who encouraged DH and I to walk the halls, she showed DH how to massage my back during contractions, suggested I labor in the tub, and told me I could push if that's what I felt like I needed to do. Since it was my first delivery and I hadn't taken any birth classes (I'm kind of ashamed at how little I prepared myself for delivery), she really helped me through. It's because of her that I ended up delivering without an epi because she kept encouraging me to wait and I knew I could handle the pain.

    If you have an idea of what you want, I'd make it known right when you arrive at the hospital before you're in so much pain that you can't think. Write it down and have DH be your voice if things start going down a different path. 

    The thing you said about having the baby placed directly on you- that's what I want for sure next time. I want to nurse right away too. 

    S- March 09 E- Feb 12 L- May 15


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  • anna7602anna7602 member

    We had a doula, but we also had a written birth plan with these things. However, our best option was just to labor at home for as long as possible. That was the only way I was 100% comfortable that my wishes would be respected regarding movement, using hot water therapy, and the birthing ball.

    The staff, however, were absolutely fine with my nursing right away and waiting to do all the procedures on the baby. I didn't have to "fight" for it at all. And I made sure DH was with DD when they had to take her out of the room temporarily (I can't remember what they were doing to her.)

    GL!

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  • lyswunklyswunk
    imageanna7602:

    However, our best option was just to labor at home for as long as possible. That was the only way I was 100% comfortable that my wishes would be respected regarding movement, using hot water therapy, and the birthing ball.

     

    I really hope that I can labor at home for awhile this time. With my DD, my water broke and I had to go to the hospital right away to get on the Pencillin drip after a positive GBS test. We'll see what happens this time!

    Thanks for the advice so far...I need to hear this stuff!

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  • TDKittyTDKitty

    It may depend a lot on your hospital, and a lot on how assertive your DH is willing to be.

    The more I read about other peoples' experiences, the more I appreciate the hospital where I delivered. Every time I had a checkup, the doctors asked about my birth plan. However, almost everything we wanted was typical procedure: Moving around while laboring, trying different positions while pushing, putting the baby on me immediately at birth, nursing in the first hour, delaying eye drops and bathing for several hours... I think I was lucky, because I didn't realize I'd want these things until I was actually going through the delivery process.

    For my next LO, if I wasn't sure the hospital would do those things as standard procedure, I think I'd give DH a written birth plan and instructions to advocate for it if needed. If he were more of a doormat-type, I might ask my mom or someone more pushy to be there :)

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