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Over the last few weeks, I've had a lot on my mind regarding the birth of this baby. I'm in the process of changing practitioners, and since I'm now into my last trimester, it is unusual to be doing so...
Guess I should take a step back to try to give a condensed version of my thoughts...

My delivery with Avery was near perfect (at least in my book), and a huge part of that had to do with my caregiver, a midwife named Angie. Now, before you categorize me as Granola, know this: I was blessed with a complication-free pregnancy, and when my OB said I was free to see the midwife in his practice, I thought "why not?"
At the time, I did not realize that, in general, there is a large vacuum in the way an OB/GYN and a Midwife practice medicine. For the most part, midwives promote pregnancy and childbirth less as a medical event, and more a natural and healthy occurrence. Having said that, there are different classifications of midwives, some are all about home births and very little medical intervention, but all must be licensed by the State to practice.
My midwife, Angie, is a Certified Nurse Midwife - someone who has a graduate-level education in nurse midwifery. These are often the types of midwives with practice privileges in birthing centers or hospitals - who can do everything an MD can BUT a c-section, and this was the case with mine.
I feel there are two things that made my delivery with Avery ideal: my trust in my body's ability to birth a child - I did not fear the pain, and my absolute trust in my midwife. Those last couple of hours of labor are fuzzy in my memory (too bad I wasn't blogging then!), but I know that whatever Angie said to do, I did, and the result was a perfect, alert baby girl. I did not have any pain meds or tearing.
I won't get into the "to have or not to have" an epidural. I will say, however, that many nurses, other women, etc told me [in defense of pain meds], "No one gets a medal for withstanding the pain of childbirth." Yeah, well, despite having what everyone tells me was an "easy delivery," I wear the fact that I went medication-commando like a badge of honor. For me, the benefits of being drug-free were worth it.
About 24 hours after birth. Me (yikes!), Angie, 'lil Pumpkin, Proud Daddy

Needless to say, my standards are fairly high for my second birth experience. A young, female OB/GYN in my hometown was recommended to me, and she seems capable enough, but after Ben and I visited with her about birth plans over the holidays, we both walked away thinking: she's no Angie.
I don't think it's so much an issue of her being a good doctor (she is), I just think she practices with the MD mentality of delivery: come into the labor room at the last minute, "catch" the baby, do any stitches, and move on.
Well, that's just not good enough for me. When you've experienced the best, you have a hard time settling for what you feel is less...
Sweetie pie - a few days old.

So, I consulted with Angie, and found a group of midwives who practice with some OB/GYNs in the Houston Medical Center. Like Angie, they are Certified Nurse Midwives who deliver at two of the medical center hospitals - perfect.
However, they don't typically take new patients after 30 weeks. I'll be 34 weeks when I get back to Texas for the duration of the pregnancy. I've sent them my chart for full review, along with a letter proclaiming my loyalty to midwifery - I'm basically begging them to agree to deliver this child!
After Bathtime - about four weeks.
And now, I wait. Sitting by the phone. Waiting for judgment.
The Sweetest Thing.

30 comments:

susan said...

Good luck. I hope the decision goes your way. I had all three of mine naturally at time when epidurals were the rage. I am not "granola" by a long shot! :) It sounds as if you are making an informed educated decision and that what counts!

ms. less is always more said...

I'll be thinking of you... keep us posted! My body never wants to actually give birth to the babies (it wants to hold onto them forever!), so two c-sections for me, but I am always amazed by the women who are able to be so positive about the experience... it is an amazing one!

Taylor said...

sweet pictures! my very close friend Katie is a midwife and so(while I am no where near pregnant) I debate in my head whether or not I would go "granola" ;) Praying they accept you and your little one!

Kathysue said...

I hope you get to do what your instincts as a Mom are telling you to do. I know you and baby will be fine either way but it sounds as if you had a wonderful experience with Avery so it is only naturaly you would want the same with this new little one. Kathysue

GrannySmithGreen said...

Women have been having babies since the beginning of time WITHOUT the help of anyone. You should be able to deliver your sweet angel any way you want.

You are fortunate that your state allows midwifery. In some states it is ILLEGAL. A woman can go to jail for assisting in the birth of a baby--that's outrageous.

Very best wishes, thoughts and prayers to you and the upcoming arrival of your baby. I'm sure you'll have the baby regardless of who does the "catching"! : )

my favorite and my best said...

those pics are too cute.
i think it's a MAJOR badge of honor that you birthed a small human out of your vagina without any pain intervention. although i think i deserve one too for having survived 3 days of hard labor without dying of dehydration and starvation. but you've heard my story.
keep your thoughts positive. everything is going to be awesome.

Southern Aspirations said...

I will happily award you a badge of honor for that one. No kids yet so this is still a big scary hole of unknown for me. But, I'm sure that they will accept you- keep us posted!

I have thought of having a doula just because I like the idea of someone there all about me. :-) But the medical aspect of the midwife is great.

Morning T said...

I hope it goes your way Alison and that they'll agree to work with you when you arrive here in Houston. What a sweet, heartfelt post and the pic of Avery at 4 wks and kissing your belly are too precious! Happy Friday to you.

Rachel said...

I love the last picture. I am so excited for you. What a blessing. I also liked your point about trusting in your body - what a great way to view childbirth.

The Southern Lady said...

I'm saying a prayer that the decision is in your favor, Alison. Just let us know! In the meantime, enjoy that sweet cutie pie in those pictures. They are such great ones. You're no granola girl in my book, simply a woman who wishes to revisit a positive birth experience. Fingers crossed!

Lindsey said...

Alison, I hope the decision is in your favor. I admire your determination immensely. Keep us posted on the outcome...I'll be praying for this entire next step. I'm sure getting back to the states and getting a plan in place is more than most pregnant woman could handle. Hang in there.
xoxo-LE

Sarah - La Jeune Marie said...

Another reason why your amazing! I totally agree with your birthplan (and hope to have a drug free birth one day) and hope they "accept" you as a patient for your second baby. Good luck mamacita!

Cottage Dreamers said...

Good luck. I really hope they'll take you. I'll pray they do!

Dana said...

i've been having baby fever for the past few months, and maybe it's just my "i think i want to be a mom" hormones talking, but wow, that story and that last picture made me alll sorts of teary eyed! beautiful!

http://ijustwanttobethere.blogspot.com/

JMW said...

Wishing you the best of luck! I had two c-sections. With my first pregnancy, I learned I wouldn't be able to delivery naturally in any way, shape or form (big babies, small mommy). But, the end result is pure joy. Love that last photo - just precious!

House and Life said...

That last picture, wish I thought of that!! Best of luck to you girlfriend.

Linda at Lime in the Coconut! said...

You know....what you really need is a doula...there is no prob getting one at any juncture. She is a trained proffessional capable of working with you throughout the labor, with positions, massage, relaxation techniques. In this day and age, it is rare for even the midwife (CNM) to spend "hours" with you. I truly would look into it. You would want someone with a lot of experience and preferably one that has worked as a midwives assistant. Find one through www.dona.com or www.alace.com.

sara said...

I so hope that this happens for you - I wish all women could have as wonderful an experience as you did with the birth of your sweet girl!

Averill said...

Wow I love that picture of you and Avery. And she was so cute as an infant -- all that hair is just darling.

I think your mindset is so sound. I love the idea of trusting your body and treating it as a natural rather than a medical event. My friends who went to med school were all telling me that, when we decided to start a family, that I should just plan on getting a c-section. But why?!?!

Anonymous said...

Best wishes to you.

Pamela RN BSN
Ohio

Kirsten said...

I love the last pic! I hope the plan works out.

Jana said...

Oh Alison I just know this will go your way. I will be praying for you that it does! Precious pictures, thank you for sharing with us. :)

laurie @ bargain hunting said...

What precious photos. Good luck with your search for a Midwife. Mine were both delivered in the hospital - the second without medication for me. The first, I didn't have a choice in the deivery method (back then, the Dr. made the decisions with no input from mom or dad). I was sooo glad that I had the second one without pain meds (although I tried to change my mind about 2 mins. before he was delivered)! laurie

Melanie said...

Sweet sweet pictures.

Carolyn said...

I hope it all works out for you in Houston. Best wishes! And cute, cute pictures!

maureen @ The Inglenook Decor said...

I hope everything goes the way u envision. I salute u for being so brave, mine {with epidural & all} was a bit traumatic. I'm so excited for u too! keep us posted.

LindsB said...

I know zero about being pregnant or having a child so I am not about to give you advice on what to do because well I'm kinda dumb in that area....at least for now :)

I will say that the last picture you have here is precious, so so cute!

Ellen said...

Good luck! I hope it all works out for you! That last picture of your little one kissing your belly is beautiful! Lots of luck!

Mrs. P said...

Good luck! I hope they accept you!

I don't judge anyone and their decisions with how they labor/give birth. As long as the baby is healthy! You go girl if you can do it without meds!

:)

p.s. love the last photo!

Bailey @ peppermintbliss said...

First of all, that last picture made me cry. Methinks my hormones are going NUTS and the ol' biological clock is ringing OFF THE HOOK!
I have heard many horror stories of births lately that all seemed to go back to mommas whose doctors didn't listen to their wishes and the toll seemed to be on their bodies. I am wishing you all the best (although I read the updated post and saw that it worked out, consider this retroactive well wishes)

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