Your Pregnancy: Week 34
"The nursery is almost done. You've stocked up on diapers. You're ready..." I read this and thought to myself, "Well, they don't know me very well at all, do they? I have done absolutely NOTHING of the sort!"
It is true that I have put little thought into what this baby might need after he gets here. Instead, I have been much more preoccupied with preparing for "the process" by which he must get here! I guess, taking care of a newborn baby is not as intimidating, since I have done that twice in the past 3 and 1/2 years. However, giving birth without any medication is a completely new adventure, of which I have spent most of my brain power preparing for! First things first, right?
Speaking of which, thanks to everyone who wrote and posted a link in response to my Calling all "natural birthers" -Share Your Story post. I did gain some more insight into ideas for comfort techniques as well as what to expect in general. In addition to your stories, I have investigated more information about the issue of avoiding perineal tears and episiotomies.
In my search, I have become more acquainted with the work of Ina May Gaskin. I initially became acquainted with Gaskin after watching The Business of Being Born (of which hubby and I have recently watched again-twice!) Gaskin is a pioneer in modern midwifery and founder and director of the Farm Midwifery Center, located near Summertown, Tennessee. She has written several books about natural birth and mothering and has herself has attended more than 1,200 births. Gaskin is also the first midwife for whom an obstetric technique was named.
In terms of perineal tears and episiotomies, Gaskin has some very interesting tips that I have not read in many mainstream publications on labor and delivery. For example, Gaskin stresses the importance of teaching pregnant women to see the cervix as a sphincter. I've gathered more information on this that I will share in another post, so stay tuned!
looking forward to that post!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was pregnant with Jenny and nearly due, people would ask me if the nursery was ready. We were living in a two bedroom apartment with minimal storage space and our second bedroom was completely full of boxes and...well, junk. We had a cradle for Jenny in our room that my husband's good friend made for us, and we had a small collection of neutral coloured sleepers, hats, socks and onesies. This was really all we needed, and I have always found that a "nursery" is quite unnecessary. I like to have my babies close to me, anyway, so that night feedings are easier. Many women put a rocking chair in the baby's room near the crib so that they will have somewhere comfortable to sit when they are feeding baby at night, but if you're breastfeeding your baby that way every night, you will soon grow tired of nursing. Anyway, I think that as long as you have a few items of clothing, a few diapers (unless someone is buying them for you - my mother-in-law buys us ours for six months), and a few other basic necessities, you're ready for the baby to be here. Obviously, it is very smart then to spend your time getting yourself ready. I suspect that labour and delivery sneaks up on many women who are not ready and are even avoiding preparations because they are afraid. So keep it up - you'll be much better prepared to meet this baby if your head and body are clear of drugs and intervention.
ReplyDeleteL, It's Alexis. How are you!?!? I came across your blog thanks to your husband's pubbing on Facebook. I applaud you!!! I am completely obsessed with natural childbirth. I was debating becoming a midwife or a lawyer! What a life affirming thing! I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU AND YOUR HUBBY.
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