My Birth Plan

Okay, so I'm writing my birth story in the other window at the moment, but decided to take the opportunity to let you in on my birth plan... I don't know what it's like in Australia, but here they make you write your plan out and you have it with you in the hospital just in case you wanted an all natural birth but as soon you felt the first contraction you started screaming for drugs. It's a nice way to keep the midwives, your birth partner and you on track.

KAREN'S BIRTH PLAN:

1. My husband Mark is my birthing partner.


2. I would like to have a natural, active birth- please remind me to stay upright as much as possible.


3. I would like to have a water birth.


4. I would like to use my TENS machine and Gas and Air as pain relief if necessary.


5. No pethadine.


6. Epidural only as a last resort.


7. I want the baby to be passed to my husband Mark first.


8. I would like skin to skin contact as soon as possible after the birth.


9. I plan on breastfeeding.

Basically I wanted to do everything as natural as possible, throughout my pregnancy I did yoga, I listened to my natal hypnotherapy CD every night in the last few weeks. I bought a Helios Pregnancy and Childbirth Naturopathy kit, I drank raspberry leaf tea to help tone the uterus and sat on a birthing ball to keep my posture right. I expected nothing less that to be able to handle childbirth sans drugs and I wasn't listening to the horror stories- I was going to be different.

Me at 39 weeks looking like a big marshmallow

That was until I went overdue... I was fat, I was tired and tried everything- long walks, pineapple, hot curry, funny movie but no, bubs was not having any of it. My sweep didn't work and I was due to be induced on the 24th of November soI sat there 'researching' ways to induce labour on the internet and came up with accupuncture. Three words for you- DON'T DO IT. It was horrendous, I has needles in my arms, my legs, my toes and in the top of my head. I can't believe I actually paid someone to torture me like that. I just lay there on the bed willing the session to end and then I got a stick of Moxi to burn near my toe when I got home. Oh how my sister in law loved me for burning the stinky thing all through the house.

Reflexology was the next thing I tried and for me it was wonderful, the lady was a great conversationalist and did some sort of voodoo magic with my feet. At the end of the session I went to book another appointment and she told me that she would because I asked but it wouldn't be necessary as I would be in labour in 24 hours (you ripper). Big claim but yes, within 24 hours I was in labour...

Getting my Groove Back

It feels quite odd to be blogging again but I think it's a good way to record all the memories of being a Mummy. Darcy is only 11 weeks old yet I wish I had chronicled all the early days and weeks which have gone by in a big blur- so much changes week to week and every day brings new surprises and challenges.

I think one of the first things I need to do is post up my birth story which shamefully I have not yet finished. I severely underestimated how demanding a little baby could be, I guess some people strike it lucky and have really chilled, easy going bubbas who are content entertaining themselves. Darcy can only be descibed as a little diva... But we love him anyway.