So I was thinking a little bit about the dichotomy that I seem to be with respect to my attitudes, expectations and beliefs about childbirth. On one hand, I am pretty "granola," I'm 100% for breastfeeding, natural (unmedicated) childbirth, potentially deferring or delaying certain immunizations, massage, baby slings, considering cloth diapers, so on and so forth. But, I am also planning to give birth at a hospital with an OB, we elected to have the NT screening done and we are doing the GD tests and such, we love getting ultrasounds, yadda yadda. I feel like women seem to fall either on one extreme or the other, but obviously I know I am not alone in these seemingly conflicting choices. And I guess that is the beauty of where we live - I have lots of choices available to me while on this path.
But, I do think that all these choices are getting more and more overwhelming. I wish and wish I had some all-knowing mother hen to turn everything over to and say, "Please make all the perfect decisions for me and let me know what to do next." Wouldn't that be nice? I know the options and decisions we will have to consider and make are really only just beginning, and that in and of itself is terrifying. I can barely cope with choosing strollers, cribs and car seats, how on earth am I going to handle choosing a preschool or care provider down the road? Names? To circumcise or not? Who is our pediatrician? Aaaagh!
I know a lot of this anxiety stems from my Type A, yellow, plan-your-drive-and-drive-your-plan personality, and that most of it is really not that important and will work out for the best as it is meant to. But damn it all if it isn't the scariest thing I have ever faced. And of course a lot of this is exacerbated by the fact that just I realized that I am thisclose to the third trimester, our bathroom *still* isn't done, the basement hasn't even been approached, baby's room is untouched, no registry has been put together, the holidays are stealing time already, work and massage practice are crazy busy, the house and the laundry are begging for attention, and Vince is barely keeping his head above water with his work demands. I wonder how much more can possibly fit on our plates?
Alrighty, random musings/venting/freak out over. Time to stop griping and get a plan together, no?
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1 comment:
Oh, HONEY!
The mind of a pregnant mother, so many thoughts & so little time. You must decide what is right for you. There's is so many different opinions. One hen will tell you to co-sleep & the other says No way. All we can do is tell you what we choose. But remember he'll need know what colour he crib was or the brand name.
I, myself, am pretty granola but went for all the tests (just to know) and had 2 wonderful hospital births. The comfort of having the "next" step there was important to me. I tried no meds, then asked for gas, when that was not enough I for fentinol (spelling?), I had planned on NO epidural or C-section only in emergency.
As for names, it's yours & Vince decision, mostly yours cuz once He's watched you go thru labour. LOL It's hard, you want unique but not weird, you don't want them to be "Michael" #5 in their class. But if you really love the name , go for it.
What I learned was be nice to the hospital staff, and they will help on any way possible. My big thing was not the swear & blame Barry. It was "our" adventure and I wanted him there and comfortable in his role of Father & supporting husband.
But the best part is, once you are holding that baby in our arms, it all didn't really matter. It's just you & your little magical miracle.No matter what decisions are made or plans, you have created this little being and they are so PERFECT!
love Shannon
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