We paid the deposit for a doula this week. I'm not going to lie - it's pricy as all get out, but Craig and I are united in this decision.
We are going for the head honcho this time around and have hired the owner of the company. Her statistics are pretty impressive and in her 491 births, she's only had 25 unplanned cesareans (12% compared to the average hospital cesarean delivery rate of 30%-40%). I am by no means saying she is our golden ticket to a natural labor and delivery, but having someone so experienced and passionate about natural labor can only help. She has a blog and I've read through a few posts and it's obvious she's a Christian. Her words are kind, nonjudgmental and educated. She's painstakingly emailed me for the past three weeks and I've appreciated her input and advice. Since she's so wildly popular among natural, crunchy types like me, we booked her early. I'm not even to the half way point in my pregnancy, I have no clue what the baby's gender is, and I'm already thinking about the labor. Rather, I'm planning for the labor. I'm not going to worry over the labor. I willed myself into nearly a full day of natural labor with Madeline, so I know I can handle the pain. I'm not worried about the pain at all actually (not yet at least!). Talk to me in January...I may have a different opinion then!
I was on the fence about paying such a high price for a doula again when it ended with a cesarean last time, but I feel confident about this decision. I fully understand that I'm not in the norm. Most moms agree to a planned 2nd cesarean. You get to pick the due date, plan time off, schedule care for the kiddos at home and don't have to deal with any labor pains. On the surface, I have to admit that it sounds lovely! But delivering a baby through the abdomen is major, major surgery, I don't take to anesthesia nicely, and not being able to stand up for more than a day after Madeline was born is something I want to avoid (and I couldn't even incline my bed without vomiting the entire day she was born). Dealing with a newborn baby and a toddler while recovering from a cesarean doesn't sound too lovely to me. So this is our path. Doula + Craig (my rock) + hopefully a supportive hospital staff will = yield a safe vaginal delivery.
I'm also going to check out a different hospital, which may mean that I'll be changing practices mid-way through my pregnancy. Talk about a wishy-washy pregnant mama. ;-)
1 comment:
I hope this labor/delivery can be exactly what you want it to be. My birth with Connor (though not c-section) was not what I wanted either. A natural birth is the most incredible experience. Good for you for planning ahead!
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