Au Naturel

I haven't posted about the Baby Bee in a while (or about anything, for that matter, but that's beside the point), so while I sit here waiting and dreading a couple of approaching thunderstorms, I'll see if I can organize my thoughts enough to say a few things.

First, about the baby.  Not much to say there...everything is normal, as far as anyone can tell.  I am just past 35 weeks, so only a little bit longer to go.  (For those who aren't used to counting pregnancies in weeks, I'm expecting her to be born between 39 and 41 weeks, so I have another 4-6 weeks to go.)

An aside.  Does anyone else still think of six weeks as a "grading period?"  A throwback to elementary school days.  We got our report cards every six weeks, and to this day, when I think of six weeks, I think of it as a "grading period."

But really, it's about a month-and-a-half, so that's what I've been telling people who ask me how much longer I have.

After doing quite a bit of research, I've decided I would like to have an unmedicated delivery.

What?  Really?  Me?

Yup.

Anyone who knows me will know that this is a surprise.  I've never been much of one for pain, and I've always been of the "if there's a good way to avoid it, then why the heck not?" mindset.

So how did I come to this startling decision?

It started out with a single motive:  to reduce my risk of a c-section.  No, I have never had one, and odds are, I'm a pretty good candidate for not having one in a future delivery.  But, every labor is different, and realistically speaking, it could still happen.  Since we are planning to have another little bundle within the next two years or so, God willing, a c-section with this one most likely would mean a repeat c-section with my fourth.

And scheduled c-sections don't make good stories.

At least, you hope they don't.  If they do, then it's probably not a good story, or at least not a pleasant one.

But if all goes well, and Mommy and Baby are healthy at the end, then it's likely not a good story.  And, oh yes, I thought of that.  In fact, that was my first reaction when the idea crossed my mind.  No, not a good reason, but there's a good reason that trumps it, even in my mind.  Three words for you:  Major Abdominal Surgery.

Don't get me wrong.  If it were a question of a c-section or my baby's health and safety, I'd take the c-section in a heartbeat.  But just because...?  (Just because my labor isn't progressing fast enough?  Just because I had one the last time?)  No, thank you.

My first decision was, in order to avoid the increased risk of a c-section, I'd skip the induction this time.  Inductions worked well with both of my others, but why take the chance?  As much as I love the doctor who delivered both of my babies (I scheduled so I could ensure she delivered them), I figured I could stand to wait it out this time.

And I was okay with that.  But I still planned the epidural.  After all, epidurals don't increase your risk of c-section, right?  Right?

But then I started stumbling across comments...birth stories...anecdotal evidence that maybe an epidural does increase your risk of c-section.  Stories of epidurals slowing down labor so much that the doctor orders on the pitocin, which leads to more interventions (some necessary, others possibly not), which eventually would lead to a c-section.

Really?  So I asked around a little, and found some literature, and did some research (admittedly secondhand - I just don't have the time to read the studies for myself at this point).  And there is actually quite a bit of evidence that an epidural can lead to an increased risk of c-section...and that it might not be best for Mommy and Baby in a vaginal delivery, either.

(Yes, I just used the word "vaginal."  Sorry, Dad, and any other men who might read this.  That's just how babies come out, at least 67% of the time.  Yes, you read that right, 67%.)

There are other reasons.  I know that the odds of the epidural slowing down labor enough to lead to a c/s in a third-time mom are fairly slim, but that was just where the research started, the tip of the iceberg, to use an overused cliche.  I'll get into some of the other reasons in a future post...but as I'm not trying to start a debate, I don't want to go into too much detail.  Just know that I have researched this, and I've found enough additional reasons to labor unmedicated that I feel very comfortable with my decision.

I'll admit, however, that I wasn't too happy about this at first.  I didn't want to skip the epidural.  I mean, hello?  Pain?  We are not friends.  We have never even been what you might call semi-close acquaintances.  But the more I looked into it, the more I felt convicted that that was the best route for me and for my baby.  It's not the best choice for everyone, but I feel clearly that it will be best for us.

So if I was going to do it, the next step was to figure out how to do it.  Which meant even more research.  And I learned that it's not always excruciatingly painful.  That it doesn't have to be scary...it really is a natural process!  Natural contracting and releasing of muscles, pulling up and out, to open up the...opening...(I'm trying, Dad) -- That doesn't sound nearly as frightening as I always imagined it.

I do realize it is usually painful, and I am not expecting it to be painless.  I know childbirth isn't easy, and it's not going to feel good.  I don't think I have any unrealistic expectations (but then again, who ever thinks they do?)  But I am trying to not have any specific expectations about how it is going to feel.  I'll plan on taking it as it comes.  I'm researching, and exercising, and preparing myself for what my body will go through, but trying not to have expectations beyond the knowledge that it is going to be a lot of hard work.

(Aaaaaaaand....the first storm is here.  It seems to have broken up a little bit as it hit the "Ohio River Triangle," where many storms seem to get lost, never to be seen again, but for the most part, this one made it through, and I'm going to try to remain calm until it passes.)

To my surprise, though (going back to the original discussion), I am finding that I am looking forward to the experience.  It didn't start out that way, and that was never and will never be my primary motivation. I'm not wanting to be one of those people who is "doing it just so I can say I can."  I think it's the best choice for me and my little Bumblebee, and I will continue to think that as long as no new, substantiated information comes along that tells me otherwise (specifically, from my caregiver; otherwise, I'm not going to change my mind).

There is a lot more to this story, but I realize this has gotten long and rambling.  I wasn't joking when I questioned my ability, at first, to organize my thoughts into something cohesive and coherent.  I think I've gotten my point across, but I think I could have said it much better, too.  So I apologize for that, and will try to put my thoughts in better order before I write the next installment.

(Incidentally, the storms are over now, unless something else pops up tonight.  The second storm that was headed our way pretty much did die on the Ohio River.  And I have no problem at all with that!)