Birth Plan

Since I'm 34 weeks along and this pregnancy has been anything but dull, I've decided to revamp the birth plan I had when I was pregnant with Logan.  I have taken a lot of the same pieces from that plan but edited it based on my experience with him.  The main difference is the addition of the Cesarean "section" (hehe, get it?).  With Logan, there were a lot of things that I wish I could've changed concerning his delivery and the care that followed (for both of us).  I plan on taking this to my doctor on Friday to go over it with him.  I'll report back with any concerns or objections he may have.

Without further ado, here ya go:

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The person present for the birth will be Alexis’s husband, Jason Snooks.  My ultimate goal is to successfully achieve a VBAC.  I understand that compromises may need to be made, however the following are my preferences.

Labor

• Please do not offer pain medication – I plan on using alternative pain relief options.  I will ask for pain medication if I need it.
• In the event that I do request pain relief, I would like information about any medication before receiving it, including the purpose, potential side effects on me and/or the baby, and options on timing.
• I would like to be out of bed as much as possible during labor (walking, etc.).
• I would like to be able to drink clear liquids as well as a protein supplement, if possible.
• If continuous fetal monitoring is required, I wish to be upright and mobile while connected to the monitor.

Delivery

• I would like the option to be in a position other than lying on my back when I give birth (squatting, lying on my side, etc.).
• I prefer to tear rather than having an episiotomy. If an episiotomy becomes necessary, please discuss with me beforehand.
• As long as the baby and I are healthy, I prefer to push instinctively and to have no time limits on pushing.

 After Delivery

• I would like my baby placed immediately skin-to-skin after delivery.
• The umbilical cord shall not be clamped or cut until the baby is breathing and pink, and until all pulsation in the cord has ceased.

• If the baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, Jason will accompany her.
• I would like to breastfeed as soon as possible (within the first hour)
• I would like to meet with a Lactation Consultant as soon as possible after delivery.
• I want all procedures that are done and all medications that are given to my baby explained to me before they are carried out by the medical staff.  If I disagree with the administration of an immunization or medication, I am willing to sign a formal waiver.
• I would like to have the baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
• Prior to our discharge, I wish for my baby to be placed on pulse oximetry to rule out any obvious heart conditions present at that time.

Cesarean

·         Please ensure all medications administered are suitable for breastfeeding.

·         I would like to have warm blankets during the surgery.

·         Please inform my husband when the baby is being delivered.

·         In the event that a cesarean is necessary, we would still like to delay the cord clamping until pulsation has ceased.

·         I would like to have skin-to-skin contact with the baby as soon as it is possible in the delivery room.

·         I would like to nurse the baby as soon as possible after surgery (within the first hour).

·         If the baby is doing well medically, please bring her to me as soon as she is suctioned, weighed, and measured. Please do not worry about cleaning her up much before bringing her to me.

·         I do not wish to be separated from the baby after her delivery.  I would like for her to remain with me and my husband, even while I am in recovery.

·         I do not want any medications following surgery that will make me drowsy or that may interfere with my ability to remain aware and conscious.

·         I would like to be weaned off of the spinal/epidural as soon as possible after surgery and given an alternate form of pain relief (Percocet, etc.).

·         I would like to have my catheter and IV removed ASAP after my recovery period.

·         I would like to eat and be free to stand up and walk around as soon as possible after surgery.

      Sorry for the formatting at the end... it doesn't seem to be copying it correctly from Word.  Anyway, as with the plan I posted for Logan, advice and suggestions are welcome as long as they are given in love ;).

33 Weeks

This week's post is almost a week late (sorry!) but here it is....

I'm 33 weeks (+5 days) and what a week it has been.  Last week Logan was sick (with a fever and a cough) Monday through Wednesday and he was still in a bit of a funk on Thursday.  He felt better Friday but then he kept throwing up on Saturday afternoon (in his carseat, on me, on the couch, etc.).  Thankfully he was back to his normal self on Sunday.  However, when he was sick, all he wanted was to be held by his mommy.  At one point, I carried him over to our coat closet to find a blanket that didn't have puke on it.  I didn't notice one of his toys on the floor and slipped on it with my right foot.  I didn't fall but I did a bit of pregnant "splits" (which wasn't really close to the splits at all) and I felt a strain in the lower part of my belly/pelvis.  I was still holding Logan and was in a LOT of pain.  Ever since then, when I try to get up and walk after sitting for a while, I have to move very slowly and deliberately because of the pain it causes.  When I got to work this morning, I called my doctor to see if he wanted me to come in earlier than Friday (my currently scheduled appointment) and they told me to go to Labor & Delivery at the hospital to get checked out "just in case".  I showed up around noon, dressed down in the hospital gown and they fitted my belly with the fetal heart monitor and some other monitor (I think for contractions?).  After monitoring me for about 30 minutes, the doctor told them to keep me there for observation for 2 hours and if everything was ok to send me home.  Everything turned out to be ok but I quickly learned that those beds are extremely uncomfortable!  I'm glad I get to move around while I'm in active labor, which reminds me that I need to work on my birth plan before my Friday appointment...

Last Friday at work, my coworkers threw me a surprise baby shower.  I was SO surprised and had absolutely no idea that they had been planning it for weeks, right under my nose.  I'm even more impressed that my boss was able to do it without me finding out.  I've been worried about buying all the stuff we'll need for the little gal, especially with our medical bills piling up, so this was a huge blessing.  One of the women from work found my registry and printed it out for all the men to do their shopping.  As a result, I got probably 90% of the items I really wanted/needed, which is a huge burden off of my shoulders :).  I still can't believe they pulled it off.  My coworkers are great :).

After the baby shower, I got all of her clothes, sheets, blankets, etc. together and washed everything.  They're now all neatly organized in piles on our couch and I neglected to think of where we're going to put it all.  We haven't yet gotten a dresser for her room so I guess they will stay on the couch until I find a place for them.... oops :).  I do feel a little better now that everything is washed and ready to go, though.  And now I know what to shop for when I get my 10% off coupon from Target.

And now on to the weekly updates:
Contractions: Still having Braxton Hicks contractions that are more "spotty".  They aren't full-on contractions, so I'm not concerned.
Cravings: Nothing this week.
Weight:  My total is up to 20 lbs... I'll find out on Friday what the new number is :P
Swelling:  The swelling has settled down a little bit this week, which is think is mainly due to the weather being cooler.
Things to do: Still need to buy furniture and other items from my registry (Target), pre-make meals, write out my birth plan, pack the hospital bag, etc....
Heartburn:  It is under control but only because of my friend Zantac.
Stretching: I've continued using oil twice a day on my belly but the stretching is getting worse.  My stretch marks are stretching more and yesterday I noticed that I have a heat rash (or what looks like one) on my belly, which makes the itching even worse.  Gah... getting closer to being done!

I do need to note that everyone at work has been very supportive and has been looking out for my best interests.  I've started parking in the visitor's section right in front of the building and today my boss asked if I'd like my computer to be moved to an office downstairs so that I don't have to walk up as many stairs.  Sometimes I feel like they're a bit too concerned but I guess it's better this way than for them to completely disregard my safety :).

Anyway, I think this is long enough.  Don't forget to enter the ExpectNet contest with your guesses.  There are only 6-ish weeks left until my due date!