As we near the end of our Bradley Method birthing classes, I am reflecting on the plethora of information I've soaked up the past five or so months since I really started to research hospitals and birthing methods, etc. My final conclusion?
Take everything with a grain of salt.
Bradley makes it clear (or at least my teacher has made it clear) that the medical community as a whole wants babies out (a) quickly, (b) with medical intervention, (c) is always avoiding a potential lawsuit, and (d) that the Bradley way is the BEST way. The medical community has made it clear that (a) they are the experts, (b) they do not support Bradley as a whole due to its extreme view, (c) medical intervention saves lives, and (d) that their way is the BEST way.
Sigh.
I want what's best for my baby. That's a given. But to sort through all the garbage both trains of thought have shoved down my throat is making me gag. I will say that I feel Craig and I have taken the time to educate ourselves on issues that are important to us. I don't respond well to being told what I can and can't do, especially when it involves this baby or me. I want options, not an ultimatum. There are always options, but both Bradley and the docs give ultimatums. Sheesh.
I honestly think a mix of the two is best. I don't appreciate my Bradley teacher calling midwives medwives, nor do I appreciate my OB practice telling me I can't take Bradley classes (or else they will not deliver me). I do feel that God made my body to be able to deliver naturally and that His way is the best way. Does that mean I will refuse all medical intervention while I am at the hospital? Absolutely not. If this baby needs to be cut out, then slice me open. On the other hand, I am also not going to bow down to everything the nurses and doctors say without asking for all my options. I want to know what is in the IV and why I am being given it.
But the two methods don't work together and I don't know why. This whole experience has been eye-opening to me. I am extremely grateful for the things I have learned in the Bradley classes. I honestly didn't know a lot of the stuff they have taught. Overall, we have been impressed with the education and value the classes. I am also extremely grateful for modern medicine, which is why I am delivering at a hospital.
So, I am taking everything with a grain of salt. I am mixing the two. But, and this is a big but, I also realize that all the education, classes and information soaking, will not change the outcome of how we become parents. God is ultimately in control of the whole situation and He will not be surprised at how our little girl makes her entrance into the world. Knowing, and accepting that, has given me a peace about the whole situation.
Oh, and another thing I take with a grain of salt? How big or small apparently people think I am. I was told that I looked like I was about to pop the other day. The very next day, someone told me that there was no way I was more than eight months pregnant. Well OK then. Duly noted....
...with a grain of salt.
4 comments:
I love it! This is such a great blog post and you're going to be such a WONDERFUL momma no matter how the process happens.
Good for you! That's ultimately where we ended up, trying to strike a happy medium, asking questions and not rushing into anything--hence a 27-hour labor. I wouldn't have it any other way. I was going to say good luck, but there's no luck involved. God is sovereign! We'll be praying for you these last weeks!
Very well said! You are so much more educated than I was while preparing for my first labor/delivery....and I thought I was prepared! I can't wait to hear the story of how Baby K makes her entrance....knowing that her parents understand that God's in control of it all. What a great place to be!
Great post! I do think they work together, but that was just my case :) I think delivering in the middle of the night with awesome nurses and a sleeping doctor helps :). I didn't want an IV (I wanted one started, but didn't want to be hooked up to anything), and the nurses talked to the doctor and he said I had to be. But he was asleep (on call) and they said, oh, we'll just keep you off until he comes around :) Since I moved so quickly, I literally got hooked up as he was walking in to deliver me!!! ha. God will make this experience more than you can ever imagine. And she will make her entrance how and when God has already ordained!! :)
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