September 9, 2010

32 Weeks

32 weeks pregnant today!



I've been working on my birth plan. I'm actually writing two, one for the birth center (which will be easy) and one in case of transfer to the hospital. The latter is not so easy; it's more of an emotional challenge to write it, actually. Every time I think about Burt Reynolds' birth, it is so easy for me to visualize it happening the way I want it: peacefully and with minimal intervention. To go in the other direction is quite painful, but in the end I know it's for the best - because if I do end up needing to transfer to the hospital for a C-section, I would rather be prepared so that the experience will be better than the first time.

Anyway, here's hoping that writing this C-section birth plan is just a formality and that I'll get my awesome VBAC at the birth center. And if that doesn't happen, well, let's hope that my second C-section will be wonderful, because I do believe they can be. Honestly, my biggest fear is not another C-section (I mean, obviously I would rather avoid it), but it's being put under general anesthesia for it. I can't miss another one of my baby's births. I just can't.

In other news, I went consignment store shopping earlier in the week, and the proprietor of the store is also an L&D nurse. We had a really nice discussion, and although she wasn't very well versed on VBAC, I thought she had some valuable insights, such as:

"I wish more women would stop and think before getting the epidural. I don't think they really realize the risks that are involved."

and

"It's a shame that OBs have to practice defensive medicine."

and

"If women could just move around more during birth, things would go a lot better."

It was odd (and refreshing!) to hear this out of the mouth of a medical professional. I really enjoyed talking with her and found it sad that she doesn't teach birthing classes anymore due to poor attendance. (Why attend when you can just get the epidural? Sigh.)

So yeah. Here I am, 32 weeks pregnant, writing my birth plan, getting ready. Things are moving right along. It'll be interesting to see what the next two months or so bring. At the very least, we'll be welcoming our second baby boy. As far as how he's brought into the world, we're doing everything we can to make it the way we want. In the end, though, we'll do what it takes to get him here safely.

3 comments:

Erika said...

You are looking great kid!!!.....LOVE the long hair.....your rocking it......:)

Maggie May said...

burt reynolds!!! awesome!!

and you look amazing, amazing!

amber said...

You know, after reading your blog and others, when the time comes, I'm planning to take all of the birth classes I can get. In reality, I think there is a high liklihood of C-section in my future (too long to go into detail), but I'd like to at least prepare for a regular birth as much as possible. If/when the time comes, of course. Not there yet. :)