Friday, April 06, 2007

Plans change... LOL

OK, well, I had intended on going to school this last term (it just started) but at the last minute decided that I should really just let the last few weeks of this pregnancy be on its own.

So about 3 weeks ago, I went to the doctor. Where the *wonderful* doctor, who I hadn't met before informed me that despite talking with the other doctors in the practice, that I could not have a trial of labor. Therefore I was to immediately schedule a section. Now I was 32 weeks pregnant... and I naturally have a pretty quick temper. But I remained calm. I did ask her to explain why we weren't discussing section risks, and how my risks go up each section, and she said, "absolutely". She said she wouldn't argue with me on this subject, and that I really needed to find a new doctor if I refused to schedule a section. Fine. I went home, and started making calls, I went online and I tried to find someone to take me. I had thought about using a midwife early in my pregnancy, but the birth center was a bit far for me, and I would be there not even as long as the hospital... so I figured I might as well just go ahead and decide to have the baby at home. I kind of eased Shawn into the idea. He had initially thought I should just have surgery. He said that doctors went to medical school all that time, and that was what they were for, to make these decisions. I got very upset by his attitude. What is interesting is that I went through Emerald's cancer treatment dealing with doctors (aside from the ortho we had here in MI) that treated us as part of the team. It was a very different attitude than what you deal with when you deal with OB's. Honestly, it seems that delivering babies seems like I would have more of a clue what was going on, rather than less, when it came to cancer... but whatever. I know a lot about having babies, and I know a lot about brain tumors.

Regardless, after some convincing I got him to realise that this baby was going to come out my vagina regardless of what he thought. So he relented. I told him to look up the risks. He didn't. (Seems odd, you should have heard some of our discussions on circumcision... I am just glad this one is a girl!) This doctors office that just kicked me out was the place we were going to go with, or so I thought.

I kept joking about home birth... or unassisted birth. I didn't want to go unassisted. I didn't want to go to the hospital at the last minute and have to fight while in labor, to labor and push out my baby. I either wanted doctors on board, or a midwife.

So I started interviewing... I found 3 that I really liked. Three that I would totally go with. I ended up choosing the one I have not because I trusted her more than the others, but because Shawn felt most comfortable with her... she is a doctor, who does homebirths. He felt his family would be more accepting too. So be it. She is a nice lady. Shawn isn't too fond of the fact that all the choices were anti vax and into holistic medicine type things... he feels they are so anti-doctor... LOL

So here we are planning to have a home birth. It wasn't where we started, and I never thought I would end up in this choice, but honestly... if Emerald could have a "home death", we could do this home birth thing too.

I will keep you all posted. Anya is very excited about the whole thing. I must admit, I am too. I am much more relaxed than I was when I first got pregnant. I don't have to fight for my beliefs, I have a doctor that isn't freaking out thanks to malpractice issues, and best of all... I will be home.

3 comments:

Kathy said...

Both of my parents grew up on farms.

In those days, people didn't go to the doctor much. People were born at home and they died at home. Surrounded by their family and friends.

Up in Oregon, where my ancestors settled in the 1800's after emigrating from Norway and Sweden, the homegrown cemetery on a hill above the neighboring farms is filled with the headstones of my great great grandparents and all those descended from them.

Lots of children too. Life was hard then. It's hard now too.

Kyra died in the bed she was born in, the same bed where she welcomed her little brother into the world two years prior.

Think of the stories that bed could tell. It's all part of the cycle and the rhythm of life.

I'm glad you're about to give birth to a new baby. I think if you want to have it at home you should go for it, I know you're smart enough to have considered the risks.

I'll pray that all goes well.

Angela said...

Glad to hear from you, I was getting worried!

That's awesome that you will be doing a homebirth. I would love a homebirth if we ever have another. My SIL is a midwife and just delivered twins VBAC at home. If you want to look at her site, I can email you the link. Praying that it all goes smoothly for you and I can't wait to hear about your new little one. :)

Luvbug69 said...

im so glad youre doing a home birth- its great. i hate the way human doctors act like god all the time and meanwhile they either dont know shit or dont want to put effort into knowing!
i had brandon at home remember? lol, of course- it was unplanned and unprepared for! this will be great for you though- and i want to come! WAH! call me soon hon!