Hypnobabies Week 3

This week's class is all about interventions in childbirth. It talks about vaginal exams, stripping membranes, inductions, food restriction during labor, receiving fluids by IVs, monitoring, epidural, coached pushing, pushing positions, and episiotomy. It goes over the pros and cons to each intervention and alternative options to each. It talks about the cascade of intervention, or the domino affect. One intervention leads to another. One example that seems very common (Quite a few friends have had this happen to them.) is to get recommended for induction. So before going into labor on their own, they go to get induced, often w/ pitocin. Pitocin causes the uterus to contract, but generally the pressure waves (contractions) are much stronger than a natural wave. This causes the mother to get the epidural. Epidurals are known for stalling labor...especially if gotten before the 5cm mark. So, a stalled labor means more pitocin. More pitocin means even harder, longer contractions, but that is OK, because mom doesn't feel it, right? Wrong! During contractions the oxygen to the baby is restricted, causing "fetal distress." Well, then THANK HEAVENS the medical staff is there to intervene to give a c-section. And certainly not always, but often c-section moms have a more difficult time breastfeeding, because often their babies are taken away to get checked over. Getting baby at the breast immediately after birth is the best way to get a good breastfeeding relationship started.

Don't get me wrong...interventions have their place. If I didn't think that, I would be seeking a homebirth. I just think all too often things are done that are unnecessary, for the convenience of the medical staff, for money, or for fear of being sued. And a mother in labor is at such a vulnerable state. I know when I finally gave in to pitocin and the epidural after 30+ hours of labor w/ my son, I was so upset. While they were putting the epidural in, I kept thinking, "I don't want to do this. I really don't want to do this." I was so vulnerable, and didn't have anyone telling me I didn't HAVE to do it. Ignorance isn't always bliss. And then while my son was born...I was a spectator - not an active participant. I didn't even know he was out, until the doctor held him up!

The hypnosis part of this week's practice is learning how to give anesthesia to my midsection and still be able to have the freedom to move around. This is by using the "light switch" I created in last weeks lesson, and taking it one step further. I now have a center switch (not just on/off) that I can use. The first session practicing this was quite fascinating. I literally felt a numbing sensation once I turned my switch to center from my breasts to my upper thighs. I was lying there in hypnosis thinking, "No way! This is amazing!" lol. It sounds so crazy, I know!

I had an ultrasound and appointment w/ Dr. Brown Friday. The cyst on Baby A's (the boy) brain is completely gone. But unfortunately he has a slight widening of his lower spine. I need to go in for a specialist u/s in 3 weeks to rule out spina bifida. Thankfully, Dr. Brown seems to think even if something is wrong, it would be a very mild case, w/ no neurological damage. He said that since everything else looks perfect, I shouldn't worry too much. His brain is showing no abnormalities. He suspects they may not find anything. Still, I will be a little anxious to get that ultrasound! The girl is looking great. Both babies are about a pound each. Baby A was head down (for now)! And Baby B was all over the place! :)

Some great news is that Dr. Brown now has rights to the hospital of my choice! My doula's (also a homebirth midwife) backup doctor is there, and we think she would have more of a chance of being allowed in the operating room. I am hoping this hospital might be more willing to let me have a birthing bed as well. I was thrilled with this news!

Total weight gain at 23 weeks is 25 pounds! Over half way there! Besides some very annoying heartburn, I'm feeling great!

Hypnobabies Week 2

This second week was a lot of information. It was all about staying low-risk, which will help keep interventions from having to happen come time for birth. This is especially important for me to keep pre-term labor from happening as well. The week's materials included exercises to do, foods to eat, and things to avoid. The main thing I got was to eat PROTEIN! Lots and lots of protein. Protein is required to build cells, it also helps keep the placenta healthy. And I should be eating eggs everyday. That is a great thing, since I LOVE eggs. It also talked about how important Calcium and Iron is. That is interesting about calcium, because I so craved milk w/ my first pregnancy. I drank 2 gallons a week in the last trimester. Milk is an excellent source of both protein and calcium. I guess there was a reason for craving it!

The hypnosis part of this week is learning to put myself into hypnosis w/ a skill called the "finger-drop technique." I am creating a light switch to turn my muscle functions on and off. So I am working hard at learning to turn my body off...meaning COMPLETELY relaxed.

A crappy note is I talked w/ Dr. Brown at last week's appointment. It seems like I will be required to deliver on an operating table. I have accepted the fact that I will need to be in the operating room, but I was really hoping for the freedom to assume a position that felt most comfortable. I was at least hoping for a birthing bed...not a cold narrow metal table. Dr. Brown said he wishes hospitals would allow moms to deliver NEXT to the operating room. He said a woman who comes in healthy with babies in a favorable position has such a minute risk of needing a c-section, that it is too bad that hospitals are so unfriendly to twin mothers. At least I know that he is on my side. And it's nice to know this now...so I can mentally prepare for it.

I may look into petitioning patient affairs to see if I could either have a birthing bed, or be allowed to push in a position comfortable to me. Mary Anne, my doula, is asking around to see what hospital protocols are and to see if she can get more information on the best route we should take. I am still hoping Dr. Brown will get his rights to the other hospital. I think that hospital might be a little more friendly to me.

I have decided on the treats for my labor and delivery nurses. After talking to some friends who are L&D nurses, I think I will bring bagels, cream cheese, coffee, hot cocoa, and teas for the staff. When you are requesting so much rule bending, it doesn't hurt to get on the nurses' good sides! Other than the cream cheese, we can buy everything else ahead of time so they will be ready to go to the hospital.

I am still feeling great. I have had a couple of dizzy moments where I needed to sit down. Both times that happened, I was in need of some food. Once I got some good solid food in me and a bunch of water, I was feeling fine.

We have another formal ultrasound next friday, so expect a report after then!