PREPARATION:
Before we were even pregnant I knew I wanted to aim for a non-medicated birth. I could write a whole blog post about this topic, but for the sake of keeping this brief(ish), my main reasons were:
1) I wanted the benefits of being able to walk and move around during labor and to birth in whatever position I wanted (ie. not on my back).
2) I wanted to be able to listen to my body's natural pushing cues/rhythm to avoid tearing more than necessary
3) Epidurals can slow down labor, sometimes leading to a cascade of interventions that might have otherwise been avoided (ex. pitocin, vacuum extraction, c-section, etc.).
4) When I weighed the benefit of an epidural (less pain) with the potential risks (drop in blood pressure, severe headache, loss of bladder control, itchy skin, back pain, increased risk of cesarean, etc), I felt that the benefit just wasn't that great.
At my last midwife appointment, I found out the exciting news that my
Group B Strep test came back negative which means no IV needed during
the birth! Woo hoo!
I've been able to get a few more things checked off my to-do list before Baby's arrival. I finally organized Baby's room by reworking the closet. We also nailed everything down with two wonderful Doulas who are going to tag-team the birth. I even started throwing a few things in my hospital bag.
Yesterday, my mom, sister, and nephew came up to visit and we went to a big indoor swim park in Arvada. They were making me laugh so hard I thought I might go into labor right there (luckily I didn't). Baby has been really active the last week and his/her kicks are getting really strong as evidenced by this video I uploaded.
I've also noticed an increase in the frequency and duration of Braxton-Hicks contractions, too. As my time for birth gets closer and closer, I've been experiencing a combination of both excitement and calm--excitement that we get to finally meet this little person that has been growing steadily inside me over the past 9 months and calm over the fact that we have surrounded ourselves with the support we need for this birth.
One thing I've done to prepare is to write down Bible verses on
little cards so I can have something personal to meditate on while I go
through labor.
Here are some of the verses I chose:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. -Colossians 3:15
Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. -Psalm 55:22
Fear
not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My
righteous right hand. -Isaiah 41:10
My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. -Psalm 73:26
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. -Psalm 127:3
But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. -2 Chronicles 15:7
I
would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the
goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; be of
good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the
LORD! -Psalm 27:13-14
You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. -Psalm 32:7
By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother's womb. My praise shall be continually of You. -Psalm 71:6
When
you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the
rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you
shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD
your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior... -Isaiah 43:2-3
There are so many unknowns that go into pregnancy, labor, and delivery. I feel that birth is meant to be untamed in a beautiful, messy sort of way. No matter how much I prepare, I am ultimately not in control and that's a good thing. When I try to take control, I am trying to be God.
How wonderful is it that God designed the first step into parenthood to be something we can't control? As a parent, I am charged with a lot of responsibilities (loving, guiding, feeding, protecting, serving, teaching, disciplining, etc.) but this little person's soul is not in my control. I cannot make them choose the right path in life. I cannot make them fall in love with God. And so, like childbirth, I prepare but, more than that, I trust.
Childbirth can be scary. Parenthood can be scary. Life can be scary! I trust my God because He has proved Himself trustworthy over and over in my life. It's not a trust that bad things can't or won't happen, but rather that no matter what happens He will use it for my good and His glory.
He loves this baby more than I or anyone else on this planet ever could.
