Have you seen this movie? If not, please go to your local Blockbuster or add to your Netflix queue immediately. Its life changing. OK, maybe not. But I think that's probably its goal. It really is amazing and quite disturbing. Basically you'll rethink anything you've recently purchased at Publix. I know we can't all afford to buy all organic, all grass fed, etc, but at least think about it. The more we all do it, the more popular it will become and the cheaper it will become.
And moving right on to my next hippie topic. This is my most recent read. Korey took me to Border's one night just to get out of the house and I sat down in the coffee shop with this book and couldn't put it down. Obviously, most people wouldn't have picked it up in the first place, but if you are pregnant or going to be soon, I recommend it. When I got pregnant, I had all intentions of using a midwife for delivery. But I ended up having to change practices and went to one with only an MD. So far he has been absolutely wonderful!! With my first trip to the hospital he even walked me down to ultrasound himself and sat there and talked to me through the whole thing. If you're not in the medical field you may not realize how unusual that is, but trust me, its unheard of! My only concern is that he's not a midwife.
I will be the first to admit that I don't want an epidural. Go ahead-laugh at me and tell me how that's crazy and then think to yourself, "she'll be asking for that epidural at the first pain". I haven't always been this crazy. In nursing school I used to think that I would be the first to ask for the epidural. But then I spent 2 years in Emory Nursing School, getting my masters. I say that I went from one extreme to the other in schools.Samford gave me a very conservative, Baptist education and Emory attempted to give me the most liberal, pro-women, go-change-the-world education. The best thing about Emory was that most of my professors were midwives and they constantly shared stories about births and their love for their jobs, and the amazing ability of a woman to bear a child. Now, getting back to the book. I can't really explain it in a blog post. But when I read it, it makes me think I can do it. And that I should at least try. I'm not saying "absolutely not, no matter what, I won't have it" because I know that sets me up for disappointment and feelings of failure. But in anything that deals with my health and my baby's health, I will weigh the benefits and risks, and then make my decision. And I know that epidurals have major risks. Risks that no one tells you about. Risks that are in fine print on the consent forms you sign your life away on. Risks and side effects that actually interfere with the labor process. Risks I don't necessarily want to put on me and my baby. So that's me on my soap box for today. And here's a quote from the book:
"There's no other organ quite like the uterus. If men had such an organ they would brag about it. So should we."
Ha!!
3 comments:
Mary, I think you have a great attitude about it. You go in knowing what choices you have and what you want to happen...but at the same time you prepare yourself for other possibilities whether it be an epidural, c-section, etc. The important thing I think is to not set yourself up for failure. If you go in with an "all or nothing attitude" that's not good....I hope you are able to have YOUR delivery!!! Power to you Woman!!!
I've been wanting to see that movie, so thanks for the rec!
I am really excited for you and proud of your decision to try to "go natural." That was my plan, too, but unfortunately I ended up with pitocin and an epidural a few hours later. Pitocin is NOT natural, and at that point I decided to get the drugs to help me work through the contractions. I did have a perfect epidural experience, though, and I am very up in the air about what I want to do with this next baby. I'm going to get that book from the library next week! I totally think that our bodies are made for giving birth, and it most cases it's totally possible to have a baby drug free. I really, really hope it works for you! I'll be cheering you on from afar.
Have you thought about getting a doula...or if at least a friend who has had natural childbirth help you out? That's one thing I'm considering. Two friends of mine who have had great natural experiences have had doulas. Just curious what you thought about it?
Love hearing your thoughts on this!! I think it sounds great for you to try but still keep your options open. I had an epidural but it didn't really work so much. Feeling it all was pretty hellacious but I did it. I know it would have been even better if I had been mentally prepared for it all. You can do it!!
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