Also, if you search the pregnancy/birth forums, I'm pretty sure there are threads where members have posted their own birth plans. If not, you could always start one asking people to share theirs . That's the beauty of BB, we all help and support one another.
A book I found really helpful was "Creating Your Birth Plan" by Dr Marsden Wagner.
thanks very much Tuesdays Child... I really appreciate that link I have read 3 articles already and feel soo unprepared haha! But I will be reading alot more when I return back from the hospital.. they have got alot of valuable information in them so thankyou for pointing me in that direction!
Also, here is a link to birth stories - Birth Stories
You'll find that the majority of members on BB think of birth as something beautiful and exciting, not something to be feared. A lot of good stories and experiences written in there. If you have a search I'm sure there will be plenty of water births aswell
there is also a thread about birth plans and members have shared theirs. it would i guess be in the labour and birth section somewhere....
some of the main points that people like to have in their birth plan are things like no internal examinations and immediate skin to skin contact and delayed cord clamping. and of course what drugs etc they DO and DONT want. in my case i also specified that i did not want to be offered drugs that i would ask for them if and when i felt i wanted them
congratulations on your pregnancy by the way!! i can highly recommend a waterbirth as i had one for my second birth and it was amazing! so i would ask about that option
Hi! just wanted to say welcome back to Australia, and don't feel alone because with first birth EVERYONE has no idea what's going on! But like others have said, u've come to the right place! The other thing to consider is looking at having a Doula (Birth Attendant), they are there to support YOU, to 'mother the mother'. You do have to pay for these, the rate varies, I know mine charges me $500 which includes a few visits during pregnancy and a couple after as well as she'll be there for the entire labour. My husband actually found her invaluable when our first daughter was born, she was able to kick him out to get some fresh air and he knew I was in good hands
I won't lie, having a baby is normally painful, but it's pain for a PURPOSE! It's like a marathon runner getting sore muscles and feet...they're achieving something at the same time, so are we when we are going through labour, we are bringing a baby into this world! And the pain is honestly instantly forgotten when u hold that beautiful baby in ur arms!! There are a huge variety of pain management options other than drugs too, water is definitely a popular one, massage, heat packs, TENS machines, different labouring positions, I know some people also use Calm Birthing and Hypno Birthing techniques, may be worth reading up about them too if that interests you
As for the questions, just write down any you think about, u've still got time to ask more questions as u think of them Congrats on your pregnancy all the best and hope you can get the Water Birth you are after!!!
Beck
ok back from my visit, oh what a relief...much nicer than the USA..
Very happy, met a lovely midwife who was so relaxing to talk to I felt I could ask her anything - completely different attitude to USA. They are more abrupt and are always in a rush... they made my hubby and I feel like we were in the way. So another reason I why I wanted to come home.
Was lovely and EzyMay you are correct with the water births, some rooms have corner tubs and others have extra long and wider ones, and the midwife was even supportive of the water birth said everyone she has had turned out fantastic.
I was there for 2 hrs answering questions and then my mum and I had a load of questions too and she was only too happy to answer them, didnt feel like she couldnt be bothered etc it was truly a wonderful experience, its actually changed me and my train of thought as I'm now starting to get excited!!!
I have lots of tests next week to catch up on the Australian side as its different in USA, but I feel confident about them!
I am definitely very keen on a waterbirth and she is very positive that I can achieve this unless obviously there are health risks for either the baby or I. or if the baby is in destress etc,
She talked about pain medications etc as the only thing I have heard about is an epidural and I will almost pass out at the thought of that, so I'm currently going to look further into the gas and the pen.... something something lol!!! I havent heard of any of these before and I hope at the time I dont need it, but I'm really bad on pain so we will see how it goes lol.
Sutherland sounds sooo nice since its been done up and the midwife I was with had previously worked at St George so she gave us some info about there too. I'm more keen to birth at Sutherland now, plus they have double bed rooms with recliners or single rooms with recliners etc... sounds relaxing!... Anyways I'm going to be attending the tour next saturday.
Now the other thing she has mentioned to me - Antenatal classes for about 156 dollars, any advice on these? I know its my first but I have a lot of support around me and I dont really want to attend these without my husband... soo are they really necessary?
I've got to do alot more reading so that I'm not so scared !! and that I knwo what I'm feeling etc is normal and OK.
I'm very excited and I will be posting here regularly thanks so much all for your help.
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