Helpful articles...

Article on why to hire a doula even if you plan on an epidural: http://pregnancy.about.com/od/epidurals/fl/6-Reasons-Why-You-Should-Hire-a-Doula-If-You-Want-an-Epidural.htm

Having a Birth Plan

So, this is my birth plan that I put together for the birth of my son, Mark. I would make some changes now knowing that I was to have a cesarian section birth but this is the original plan. So many things went differently than my plan! I will probably laugh when I make my next birth plan as I have different medical needs now then I did before my son was born... Anyways, here it is!

Birth Preference List

Please help me attain these goals while utilizing your expertise!!

1. Important issues:

-1st baby

-Fibromyalgia

-Herniated disks L4, L5, S1

-Depression           

-Anxiety

-Terrified of having an episiotomy

2. Pain Management Preferences:

-Water immersion

-Non-drug comfort measures

-Please refrain from asking me to rate my pain as I am attempting a natural birth

-If I need an epidural or pain medication, I'll make sure to ask ASAP

3. Medical interventions I wish to avoid:

-Medications for induction or to speed labor up

-Pain medication, I would like to labor naturally for as long as I can

-Continuous monitoring, I would like to have intermittent monitoring

4. 2nd stage/ Pushing:

-I would like to push by using the squat bar, being on my hands and knees, or in the case of an epidural, on my side

-No episiotomy

5. 3rd stage/ Placenta Management/ Cord Clamping 

-I would like to let my placenta come out on its own without cord traction.

-Delay cord clamping until the cord has stopped pulsating on its own.

6. In the case of a Caesarian Section:

-Immediate skin-to-skin contact with my husband, Jamie

-Continue skin to skin with Jamie until I can have skin-to-skin contact with the baby after surgery until 1st breast feeding is completed

7. Postpartum care of baby:

-Refrain from routine suctioning of the baby and provide only when/if necessary

-Allow for immediate, undisturbed, skin-to-skin contact between mom and baby

-Stabilize baby's temperature with skin-to-skin contact with mom or dad rather than using a warmer

-Perform routine procedures bedside or while mom is holding the baby

-Rub vernix "in" rather than "off"

-Yes to vitamin K, Hepatitis B, and eye ointment BUT only after the first breast-feeding is done

-No circumcision

-Allow mom and baby to figure out breast-feeding on their own. Provide hands on support only if asked to do so

-Delay all routine assessments until after first breast-feeding

-Breast-feeding only, no supplementation of formula

-Delay first bath until first breast-feeding is done

8. Other important items:

-With me are my husband Jamie Bobee, my mother Cheryl Rosaen, my father Erik Rosaen, and my doula Gillian (OR a back up doula). These are the only people I would like with me while I labor and deliver my baby (besides the necessary medical staff)

-I would like to keep the lights down low and a quite environment for my labor

Packing a Bag for the Hospital

When I was pregnant I was obsessed with what to bring to the hospital!! So, I have put together an all inclusive list that covers Mom, Dad, and Baby! If you don't want to bring one of the items... Don't! I found that I used almost everything in my bag because I was there for so many days. Keep in mind that this list is for the woman who wants to have everything at her disposal and rather have something on hand than have to send your partner out to go get something while still in hospital!! So, here it is! If you have any ideas of what to add that was helpful to you, please comment below :-)

For the Mama:
Copy of Durable Power of Attorney or Living Will
Insurance and ID cards
Name, phone number, and address of pediatrician
Copy of Birth Plan
Pillow with colored or print pillowcase (so they don't get mixed up with hospital pillows)
Slippers (non-slip)
Shampoo/ Conditioner/ Dry Shampoo
Body Wash/ Loofa
Face Wash/ Face Wipes
Tooth Brush/ Tooth Paste/ Mouthwash
Deodorant
Lansinoh HPA (Lanolin Cream for nipples)
Hair Ties/ Brush/ Headband to hold my fringe back/ Hair Pins
Black Nickers x 10/ Pads
Cheetah Print Hospital Gowns x 2
Bikini Top (for the tub)
Yoga Pants x 3
Nursing Tanks x 3
Nursing Bras x 3
Honey Sticks  (actual honey in a plastic stick so I can get some nourishment during labour)
Lip Balm
Water Bottle (reusable)
Birth Ball
Nursing Coverup (for visitors)
Belly Salve
Prescription Medication

For Baby:
Pants x 3
Kimono Style Shirts x 3
Socks x 3
Baby Mitts x 3
Diapers/ Wipes
Vaseline
Car Seat
Car Seat Blanket
Car Seat Cover
Boppy or nursing pillow of your choice

Electronics:
Laptop/ Charger
iPad/ Charger
iPod/ Charger
Small Speaker
iPhone/ Charger
Kindle/ Charger
Camera/ Charger

For my Husband:
Swim Trunks
T Shirts
Pants
Shorts
Underwear
Toiletries

Hiring a "Mothers Helper"

So, I have a myriad of health problems and such so I knew that I would need a mothers helper without a doubt! So, I founds someone to come and help me a few hours a day while I got in my feet. At first I slept while she came! I just needed to sleep!! I have put together a list of questions that I put together for when you are looking for a mothers helper :-) Here it is!

Questions To Ask A Potential Mother's Helpers:

1. Why are you interested in this position?
2. Do you have your own children? Did you stay at home with them?
3. What is your previous child-care experience?
4. What do you like most about childcare?  What do you like least?
5. How do you handle a crying baby?
6. In your opinion, can you spoil an infant?
7. What are your beliefs on discipline for infants?
8. How do you entertain a baby?
9. What are your thoughts about feeding on demand?
10. How do you feel about holding the baby a lot?
11. We don’t believe in rigid schedules for babies (though we are fine with routines). Are you ok with that?
12. Do you have infant CPR training?
13. Do you have reliable transportation?
14. Are you allergic to cats?
15. I have a list of tasks that we would like you to be comfortable with:
1. Light housework while the baby is eating (if I am feeding the baby would you be willing to clean the kitchen, fold baby laundry, pick up the house... etc.)?
2. Playing with the cats, if I have the baby and you don't have anything else to do?
3. Running errands with or without me?
4. Going to doctors appointments with me and the baby?
16. My husband will be home sometimes, are you comfortable helping the two of us?
17. We plan on paying you the full amount and having you take care of the taxes. Is that okay?
18. Do you have any questions for me?