On Monday night for Family Home Evening, we took a little field trip to the Birthing Center at Sutter Davis. It was great to be able to tour the spot where we will actually deliver and for the kids to see where mom, dad and baby will be.
When we walked in, I noticed immediately that we were different. First of all, I was probably one of the youngest one in the room, at nearly 31 years of age, and second, I was one of the only mom's who had given birth before. Many were first time moms, a couple of second timers, but definitely no one had given birth 3 other times before. It was kind of funny. They treated me like I was the pro.
I don't feel like a pro. You would think that the fact that I have given birth 3 other times would make me feel like one, so why did I and do I feel so terrifed!? I think it's because it's a new hospital with a completely different philisophy and way of doing things than the other hospitals I have delivered at. My nurse midwife and the nurse giving the tour last night both mentioned in no uncertain terms. "We don't do elective inductions or elective c-sections at this birthing center. " That's been childirth for me( atleast the last 2, never had a c-section, I'm talking about elective inductions) and you know I have to say, I've rather enjoyed it. You set a date, go in at 7 a.m. have your water broken, get pitocin, get an epidural and have a baby around noon or so.
Now I have to worry about when it will happen, should I have my mom fly down around my due date or do I wait to call her when I'm actally in labor? (I could be pregnant for 42 weeks!) What if it's in the middle of the night? What if the kids are at school? Do I ask someone from here to come and stay with the kids until she gets here? How do I know when I should go to the hospital? I honestly feel like I'm starting all over again.
The kids were fascinated with the tour. Abby had lots of questions, she pulled my head down close to her's each time and asked every question that went through her head. Her first question was why there was a blue pad on the bed? Most questions she whispered, but if I didn't answer immediately she would say it a little louder, then louder and louder. It became comical when she kept saying, "Mom, HOW does the baby get OUT!!!!" I told her, "We'll talk about that later." She replied a little louder with, "But MOM, I want to know HOW the baby gets out, I NEED to know NOW!!!!" She was overcome with excitement most of the night and would spontaneously hug and kiss my belly and say, "I am so excited for our baby brwother!" We heard a few newborn cries and the girls both cooed at the sound. I could tell it made things real for them and helped them to realize this is coming soon.
The tour guide wanted to show us that birthing tub and the kids were all over that one, but Aaron caught sight of the toilet in the room, he has a fascination with flushing public and our home toilets (don't worry we always wash his hands). I caught him before he got to the flush. The kids nearly jumped into the birthing tub, which wasn't empty and covered with plastic at the time, they wanted to be right up there while the nurse was giving her explanation. Someone asked a questions about meconium and the nurse said, "If the baby does poop in the womb, we won't have you deliver in the tub." She also mentioned something about "swallowing poop." Abby then gasped and got a puzzled look on her face and said, "What does she mean, the baby poops in the water? Why will the baby eat the poop!?" I can picture her in my mind right now asking with her ever-famous furrowed brows. I told her again we would talk about it later. The entire way home she wanted to know about how a baby could poop in the water and eat it and she let us know how disgusting she thought that was.
The magical word came for me at the end of the 1 hour tour. There had been no mention of the "E" word the entire tour. She finally told us at the end, "We won't suggest an epidural, we don't encourage them, but if you get to the point where you're just done, you can ask us for one. We do have them here. We won't suggest it though, so don't expect it....you have to ask."
We feel really good about things here. It is an excellent hospital and birthing center, it's rated well, but just very different than what we are used to. It will be interesting to see how it all comes together.
7 comments:
That sounds like my kind of birthing center. I gave birth to Ty at Utah Valley and I think they all thought I was crazy that I didn't want an epidural. All the other rooms had dim lights and people were coming and going and it was so quiet on the floor. I certainly disrupted the quiet, but I had my baby hours before any of them. It sounds like you are able to have your babies fast with an "E". You are lucky!! I had one with Morganne and it was terrible. So, I've opted out the other two times and it was SO much better for me.
Aw, I wish you the very best of luck. I've done the olive oil thing before. As I recall I was pretty vigilant with it, but I still tore a lot and needed a lot of repair work. That was one of my homebirths (Kyrie) and the repair (without numbing shots, midwives don't have/can't administer them) was not much fun. :| But of course all is well that ends well!
I would LOVE to have had one of those 'planned' births. They sound nice. What a great idea for FHE to take the kids to...How funny that you were the youngest with the most kids!
I think the feeling of being terrified is simply a part of the package-regardless of how many times you've had a baby.
Labor makes me anxious, too. I have to say that I am so PRO epidural that if they told me I had to request it, I would just come into the birthing center with a megaphone announcing that they summon the anesthesiologist. I'm excited that you are so close to your due date, that is so awesome that it's coming up so quickly!
It definitely sounds different than we are used to. It sounds like a great birthing center! It's different here too and I keep telling Mark I just want Dr. Nance back.
First of all Congrats on being pregnant I had no idea, this is why I love blogging. Good Luck with everything at the birthing center it sounds so nice except for the request on the "E" I Love when they come in and give me that it make everything so great and enjoyable and I have a baby fast. Your family is darling and you look great pregnant.
Ames! I wish I could be there for the delivery! It sounds so neat and I know you are going to do so great! I sure love you and can't wait to see you and this new little guy soon!
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