Making a plan and (hopefully) sticking to it.

Our c section is schedule for January 21st at 2:00pm.  We had another ultrasound yesterday to see if the placenta had moved and it had, but not enough to safely have a vaginal birth.  So, we will have a scheduled birth and unless something happens before then, we know when we’ll be meeting our son.  That is more freaky to me than not knowing!  It’s just too weird to plan for the arrival of a baby and my mind is having trouble making sense of it.  On the other hand, knowing does have some benefit in that I know who will be with Malachi while I’m giving birth, I know he’ll be at home in a familiar environment, and I know that will be one less thing for Andrew and me to worry about.

So I’ve got two weeks from Monday to whip my house into shape, finish the wet bags, diapers, and car seat blankets I started working on before Christmas, try to finish a photo album before Shutterfly ends their awesome sale, and pack a hospital bag for myself and the baby.  Hopefully this week I can map out the timing of everything and make some lists.  I definitely plan on making a hospital bag list and I’m interested to see how much of it I use.  Last time I didn’t over pack, but this time I might simply because we may be there longer and I don’t want to use any of the hospital’s things.  Especially on the baby.  Yuck.  Last time it was all so scratchy, and rough, and smelled, well, like a hospital but the only clothes I brought for him was his going home outfit.  Not this time.  Shoot, if there was a way, I’d bring my own bed!

There is one thing I can cross off my list though, and that is the birth plan.  We haven’t gone over it with out doctor yet, so some things are in bold because I have questions about them, but other than that I am pretty pleased with the outcome.  And yes, I totally copied almost word for word from here.  But imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  And I couldn’t have said it better myself.

We have created this birth plan in order to outline our preferences for our son’s birth. We understand that there may be situations in which our choices may not be possible, but we hope that you’ll help us make this birth as natural an experience as possible. We would like to be informed of any procedures or medications in advance, and to be allowed the chance to give our informed consent. Thank you!

During Surgery

• Please ensure all medications are suitable for breastfeeding
• I’d like a non-drowsy, anti-nausea med if possible (Zofran)
• Please explain the surgery to me as it happens
• No sedatives after birth.
• Please reinforce my uterus and use dissolvable stitches for closing me up (double suture on my uterus and suture on the outside instead of staples.)

Baby

• Please lower the screen just before delivery so I may see the birth of our baby.
• If possible allow the cord to continue pulsing after the birth so Baby may start breathing on his own while still attached to the placenta
• Please allow for skin-to-skin contact between mom and baby immediately after delivery. (If this is not possible, Andrew would like immediate skin-to-skin contact)
• Please delay weighing/measuring the baby till we are in recovery or in our room.
• Keep cord long for daddy to cut while baby is in my arms
• No Eye Gel, Hep. B vaccine, vitamin K shot, or bath.   I will sign the waivers ahead of time.

Recovery

• We would like to keep Baby with us at all times. If Baby must go to the NICU due to medical reasons, Andrew will follow.
• I am willing to be up and walking as soon as possible.
• I would like my Catheter out as soon as possible.
• I would like to eat and have the IV removed as soon as possible after surgery.
• I will be nursing on demand and whenever Baby is fussy to help stimulate my milk to come in and to soothe Baby.  Please do not give baby bottles, formula, or a paci.

Alright.  Ready, set, time to make some lists!