So if you haven't heard yet, I'm pregnant. After looking at my past two charts and talking to my Natural Family Planning teacher, we figured out that my due date is July 3, 2011. I'm currently reading Pregnancy, Childbirth, and The Newborn by Penny Simkin (which I would recommend to every pregnant Mama/Daddy). Penny talks about the most accurate way to find your due date, she stated that if you know your date of conception add 266 days for the most accurate due date. My date of conception was October 10th. So October 10th+266 days=July 3, 2011. It was so cool to see that the NFP date and the date from the book lined up perfectly. So yes, we're going to be having a little firecracker baby. Phil joked last night about what if I went into labor at the Fireworks. That would be fun...or not. ha
So now is the time where we have to decide what care provider to go with. After attending my Doula Conference this weekend I definitely know where I stand. One, if not the most, useful thing that I learned this weekend was something called the "Models of Childbirth" by Amy L. Gilliland. In the model there are two extremes: Medical Model or Technocratic Model of Childbirth and the Woman-Centered Model or Holistic Model of Childbirth. There are statements on both sides and you decide which statement you either totally agreed with or leaned more towards. An example it this: "Body is a machine. Body works mechanically with a rhythm similar to other bodies. The same time frame can be applied to all bodies" the other statement was "Body represents the whole of self of a woman her emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical selves are reflected. Body works to its own individual rhythm, it may be similar to other women's bodies, all women are individuals." After answering the questions you find out where you end up on the scale. As you go to choose a care provider you'd keep your preferences and where you landed on the scale in mind. Lets say someone who is earthy-birthy decides to go with a doctor who is more medically focused. The space between where the woman falls on the scale and where the doctor falls on the scale is the margin for conflict (the larger the space, the larger the chance of conflict). When choosing a doctor or midwife the closer they are to your preferences the better. It comes down to knowing what hopes you have for your birth and then moving forward in that. If you've already chosen a doctor but they don't support your preferences it's ok to switch (one woman in a video this past weekend switched doctors 10 days before her due date) and most of all you are free to ask questions and get answers. It's also your choice whether to go with so and so doctor because your friend Betty suggested her or him. But keep in mind you are not Betty and your desires may be different than hers. Find out what is important to you and go for it. If you would like me to take you through the Models of Childbirth to find out where you land on the scale, or if have any questions about preferences please feel free to facebook message me: Melinda Jean Britton. That all being said I know there are times when ones choices are very limited by their health care provider, or because of health reasons one must go with an OB.
My first birth I went through the OBGYN Associates in Marquette. The Doctors were really wonderful and took such great care of me. The Doctor that delivered my sweet Zemirah was wonderful and witty. He even brought us spritzers after her birth and encouraged me wonderfully. My birth was beautiful and no interventions were needed during labor or birth. Looking back there was a large area for potential conflict but because of how my birth went there wasn't any (which was completely the grace of God). Overall I would recommend that practice in you are looking to have a more medical birth or because of health reasons must go with an OB. I was treated with kindness every time I was there.
Since my first birth (though it was better than I could have ever hoped for) a lot of my ideas have shifted and I'm definitely wanting to see just one doctor or midwife. This was confirmed when I figured out where I fall on the scale. I had Phil figure out where he landed on it and we were completely in line with everything! That made my heart really happy. In my Pregnancy book, Penny Simkin says that where you want to have your baby often helps to narrow down which care provider you should seek out. Phil and I have a lot of praying to do. It's at this time that I wish Marquette had a Birthing Center. Phil and I were talking last night about how to get a birthing center up here. We came to the conclusion that we have no idea, so if anyone has any thoughts please let me know. I feel very empowered to make an educated decision and it's now waiting on God's leading on the setting/care provider. I'm excited for my birth already!
Peace to your home,
Mama B.
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