Waterbirth Contemplations
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Now that I'm taking HypnoBirthing classes I'm starting to face my fear of labor. Interestingly enough, one of my biggest concerns is the embarrassment of being splayed out on some hospital bed, without my clothes, with my legs up in the air, and having everyone watch this whole thing happen while grimacing at the grossness of it all! For the first time, I'm actually thinking about what I want to do - not what Hubby wants, not what my mom wants, and not what the doctor wants. What do I want? What would make me feel comfortable and in control of things?
I think the answer might be a waterbirth. I absolutely love the water. Warm water always makes me feel comfortable and relaxed. And!!! Best of all, no one would be staring at "you-know-where" to watch the baby emerge all covered with goo. Well, they might be staring, but they aren't going to see clearly though the water. The whole waterbirth thing sounds like a better experience for me and baby - as long as no complications develop and there is no meconium in the amniotic fluid.
The only hang-up is that I want to do it at a hospital. I'm fairly small-framed and baby has some kidney problems that need to be evaluated upon her birth. Becides, I want to be able to hop out of the tub for an epidural if needed. I called both hospitals in my suburb to see if they have waterbirth facilities (long shot) or would at least let me rent a tub. I'm waiting for them to call back.
Meanwhile, I did some research and while there are plenty of articles and guidelines on waterbirth, I came across some negative stuff that scares me.
posted by Avorie @ 10:44 AM,
3 Comments:
-
At 4:44 PM,
Isabel said...
-
You will always find negative stuff to scare. But like you said, you have to do what makes you feel comfortable.
I say as long as you are in a hospital...do want you want!!
Good luck. -
At 5:48 PM,
Reesh said...
-
You should try reading Birthing Fro Within by Pam England. It's really helped me face a lot of my fears.
As for waterbirth, Isabel is right, you are always going to run into negativity about anything that is not typical of the norm. As you know, we are having a waterbirth and since I know in my heart that this is exactly what I want to do, I am not scared one tiny little bit about it. I think the more research you do and the more enlightened you become the less scared you will find yourself. A great book on waterbirth is "The Water Birth Book" by Janet Balaskas. -
At 7:11 PM,
The Mommy Blawger said...
-
All kinds of birth have some risks... just think of all the women who, by having a waterbirth, did not need an epidural or a c-section, and all the complications they avoided as a consequence.
