The Birth Plan

Last Thursday I had my (now) weekly check-up at the Waimea Women's Center. This center is actually a wing of the hospital where I am going to give birth soon. I have been seeing a couple of different midwives since we arrived here in January, all of whom are part of this women's center. There are two midwives who actually do the deliveries and I will only ever see a doctor if there is a problem that requires one. I must say, it has been quite a refreshing change going the midwife route. I dread doctor's appointments and hospital stays as it is, so feeling like my pregnancy care is a little less "medical" is great for me.

On Thursday I did what I have done during my past two pregnancies. I took in a copy of my two-page birth plan stating everything I either absolutely DO or DO NOT want while I am giving birth to my child. In California, it literally did take two pages to make all of my requests known. Even then, I still felt like I had to fight to have things "just so" or to avoid things I'm not into like the antibiotic eye drops or immunizations at birth. I did have one nurse, while I was in labor with Alex, who let me go without an IV. But, when the nurses changed shifts, I had to get the IV anyway. I'm telling you, having an IV has been the worst part of labor for me! It makes me feel like I can't move or ever get as comfortable as I need to be to get through childbirth naturally. The hours I labored with Alex were AWESOME as long as I didn't have that thing in my arm. Later getting that horrible heplock was the most painful part of my birth experience.

So, I presented my birth plan to the midwife on Thursday. She pretty much went through it with a pen and crossed most everything out. No one here does episiotomies. No one here will vaccinate your baby unless you sign a request for it. You don't have to have an IV. You are expected to be up and moving, going to the hot tub, the shower, etc. and are not restricted to your bed. They do not drape you or "break the bed" down when it's time to deliver. You may deliver the baby in whatever position you feel is best at the time, or even deliver the baby yourself. You will not be told how or when to push; no one will be counting either. There is no nursery, so 24/7 rooming-in is the only option. And on she went. I must have been sitting there with my mouth hanging wide open in shock! Here I have fought for even a few of these "rights" as a birthing mother in California and still never got it all. I'm telling you, Hawaii is the place to have a baby! At least the way I like to do it. I'm very excited to experience such freedom in the "family birthing unit" when the times comes (hopefully sooner than later!). I have heard nothing but raving reports about women's experience there, so I'm stoked!