Marti Stanley’s Web Log

As you all know, we are expecting any day now. We are very excited and eagerly anticipating this event. After our daughter was born we realized the importance of understanding the birth process and hospital policies regarding births. We educated ourselves through documentaries, books, interviews of individuals first-hand experiences, and interviews with those who work in the field of delivery. After all this we came to the conclusion that the female body is a powerful and miraculous creation. The female body is designed to do so much! Many people understand the miracle of the egg and sperm meeting and implanting. And how incredible it is that the female body takes care of everything all on it’s own, that it knows the child it’s creating and that it’s creating a fully grown baby. But for some reason (we’ll get to that reason in a minute) people stop there at how amazing the female anatomy is in this capacity.

Present day women are doubting their ability to give birth. They think it’s too difficult and painful a task for them to do on their own, for their body to do on it’s own without inductions, augmentations and medications. And who can blame them? Our society tells people that they shouldn’t live with pain. And our stores are filled with aisles of pain relief pills. We’re told, why live with pain when you don’t have to? Let’s numb all the pain so we don’t feel anything. Sad thing is, that in this age where more pain medication and antidepressants than ever before are being distributed, our society isn’t feeling or processing anything anymore. Our bodies produce a painful feeling to tell us something. Not all those feelings should be masked and covered up. That’s how illnesses are overlooked and not treated in time. And our entertainment driven media NEVER shows a healthy happy birth experience. Several channels have entire television shows devoted to birthing stories. Yet what is aired on those birthing shows? High risk, high complication, fear inducing drama. Why? Because that’s what holds peoples attention and gets the highest tv ratings. Our society is telling women that they can’t handle the pain AND that their bodies aren’t designed to birth on their own. It’s no wonder why cesarean sections are at an all time high in the United States. It’s no wonder why most women in our society choose to be induced, and choose to receive an epidural, and choose to have elective cesareans. And due to lawsuits and health insurance companies, a lot of doctors are pushing their patients into elective cesareans. It’s convenience is so desirable to both women and doctors. Of course, the doctors don’t tell you until after the fact what a hard recovery is in store for you. And that each cesarean you have increases your risk for major health problems and infection AND with each cesarean, the chances of your baby needing to spend a few weeks in the NICU goes up dramatically.

It saddens me to hear women who have had previous cesareans say that they are scared for me or anyone else to try a vaginal birth after cesarean because the risk of uterine rupture is so high. When people say this I know to automatically stop listening because they have obviously not done their research. They’re just repeating something they’ve heard and haven’t actually checked the facts before believing it. The risk to the mothers and babies health is much greater having another cesarean than the risk of uterine rupture. VBACs, especially for a patient, like myself, who only had a cesarean in the first place due to fetal distress, are much safer than having repeat cesareans. It’s safer for the mother and safer for the baby.

It just bothers me that more women don’t feel a strong connection to their birthing stories. That our parents and grandparents don’t pass on birthing stories and tips to the next generation like they did generations ago. These are intimate and personal events that should not be hidden inside a single soul. These are life altering moments of empowerment and a testament to a creator who is ingenious. These are moments in ones life that should not be numbed and should never be taken away. Misconceptions circling birth, midwifes, doulas, breastfeeding, waterbirth, lactation consultations, etc. are very troubling to me. The ignorance of the general public concerning these topics is troubling to me.

I think (my personal opinion) that birth stories should be shared. That women should regain control of their bodies and educate themselves so they can make a decision for themselves what kind of birth they would like to have. I think the role of midwives is very important. I think the role of obstetricians is very important.  I think the role of doulas is very important. I think the role of spouses, friends, and family are very important. I think the role of lactation consultants is very important. All of these are vital to the birthing process. They each have their place and should be respected for their knowledge within their area of expertise.

I think more women should be educated not only on pregnancy and child rearing, but on the birthing process and everything that goes along with it (i.e. hospital policies). I think having a plan and being educated is very helpful to the process. I do not think anyone should ever feel as though they are a failure if they don’t achieve their birth plan. Some women will choose to receive pain medications, and that’s their right. Sometimes emergencies will arise and cesarean sections are necessary. In those cases, they are a huge blessing. There is a place for each of these birthing methods. I’m not downplaying the role of obstetricians or hospitals in any way, please do not misinterpret my words. I have the highest respect for the job and service they provide. And I hope that if you are reading this and you’ve had a previous cesarean that you do not feel looked down upon for what has happened. I myself have only experienced (at this point) a cesarean birth. My intention in posting this is to get the word out that most women can give birth on their own without all the augmentations and medications that are so readily available. Birth is not something to fear. Women all over the world have been doing this for years. If you are thinking about having a child one day or are currently pregnant, I urge you to do some research, ask questions, schedule meetings with hospital staff, schedule meetings with midwives, obstetricians, doulas, even friends who have had various birthing stories. Don’t be afraid to ask family members about their birthing stories and think about what you want out of your birth. Read books, watch documentaries, research birthing methods in other cultures. To some women, the birthing process won’t matter at all. To others, it will be a life changing empowerment. I just think it’s worth looking into to see what it will mean for you.

Since we moved to New Orleans and it is against the law for a midwife to attend a VBAC patient, and since it’s also against the law for a VBAC patient to deliver at home, we had to alter our original birth plan. We did fortunately find a wonderful obstetrician that knows how powerfully amazing the female body is at delivering babies and is not worried at all by the fact that I have had a previous cesarean. We have found a wonderful doula to help us with labor support. We found a birthing tub available for our due date (actually three weeks around the date). AND we have found a birthing center within a hospital that is very proud to offer alternative birthing experiences. They have been doing waterbirths for 8 years and have never had a bad outcome for mother or baby. They have a one to one nurse/patient ratio. Their nurses are allowed to select which patients they want, meaning since I’m a VBAC who’s doing a waterbirth I will get a nurse who is all for VBACs and waterbirths. What encouragement I will have surrounding me! The birthing suites have squat bars, birthing balls, showers, and the nurses are all familiar with natural (unmedicated) labor techniques and deliveries. Can you tell I’m excited?

The following is our birth plan for this pregnancy:

Birth Plan – Marti McMahon Stanley

Due Date: 03/15/2010
Patient of Dr. Paul du Treil
Scheduled to deliver at The Family Birthing Center at Touro Infirmary

Dear Dr. du Treil and kind nurses,

I am so blessed to be having a baby at your facility. These are my wishes for before, during and after delivery. Please direct any questions to me personally. Thank you for your service and support of pregnant women, their families and their babies!

Sincerely,
Marti Stanley

Labor

• I would like to be free to walk around during labor.
• I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labor.
• I would like to be able to have fluids and snacks by mouth throughout the first stage of labor.
• I understand while laboring in the tub I will need to drink plenty of water and juice to stay hydrated.
  
• I will be bringing my own music to play during labor.
• I would like the environment to be kept as quiet as possible.
• I would like the lights in the room to be kept low during my labor.
• I would like to keep the number of vaginal exams to a minimum and understand that I will not be examined unless I ask to be examined.
  
• I understand since I’m a VBAC patient it is hospital policy that I have a Heplock put in my upper forearm and taped over in case an emergency arises. I also understand that it will not be used unless an emergency were to arise.
  
• I would like to use natural pain options during my labor such as positioning, a birthing tub, massage, hot/cold therapy, a birthing ball, etc.
• I would like to wear my own clothes during labor and delivery.

Monitoring

• I understand since I am a VBAC patient I will be required to have continuous fetal monitoring to check the condition of my baby. Due to this factor and the fact I’m having a waterbirth, I will require a cordless waterproof fetal monitor.

Labor Augmentation/Induction

• I would prefer no induction take place unless the baby has shown signs of distress. In which case, I would prefer artificially rupturing my membrane to be the first action taken.
• If my membranes have already ruptured and further action is necessary, an ultra-low dose of Pitocin would be my preference.

Anesthesia/Pain Medication

• I do not want to be given any pain medication.
• Please DO NOT give me Stadol under ANY circumstance.

Cesarean

• I understand that if an emergency arises and Dr. du Treil determines that a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I will be rushed to the OR, will be unconscious during the delivery, and that nobody will be able to join me in the OR.
• If my baby is not in distress, my baby should be given to Travis Stanley in the nursery.

Episiotomy

• I am hoping to protect the perineum. I am practicing ahead of time by squatting and doing Kegel exercises.
• I would appreciate guidance in when to push and when to stop pushing so the perineum can stretch.
• I would prefer to tear rather than have an episiotomy. If a tear occurs, I would like a local annesthetic to repair the tear.

Delivery

• I am planning a waterbirth, but understand that if at any time I change my mind I am allowed to deliver outside the tub in whatever position I choose.
• I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth inside the tub.
• I would like my spouse (Travis Stanley), my doula (Addy Meisenheimer), my daughter (Taylor Stanley) and my mother (Charlene McMahon) present for the birth. If my daughter does not want to stay for the birth, my mother will care for her outside the delivery room.
• I would like the chance to touch my baby’s head when it crowns.
• If I happen to be outside the tub when my baby’s head crowns I would like to use the mirror to see the baby’s head crowning.
  
• Even if I am fully dilated, and assuming my baby is not in distress, I would like to wait until I feel the urge to push before beginning the pushing phase.
• I would appreciate having the room lights turned low for the actual delivery.
• I would appreciate having the room as quiet as possible when my baby is born.
• I would like to have my baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.

Immediately After Delivery

• I would like to have Travis Stanley cut the umbilical cord.
• I would prefer that the umbilical cord be cut immediately after it stops pulsating.
• I would like to hold my baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
• I would like to hold my baby for at least 15 minutes before he is examined.
• I would like to have my baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
• I would like to delay the vitamin K shot and typical immunizations for 1 hour after birth to allow time for nursing and bonding to take place.
• If my baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, Travis Stanley will accompany my baby at all times.
• I would prefer to hold my baby rather than have him placed under heat lamps.
• I do not want a routine injection of Pitocin after the delivery to aid in expelling the placenta.
• I would like to delay the eye medication for my baby for 1 hour after birth.
• After the birth, I would prefer to be given a few moments of privacy to urinate on my own.
• I would like to donate the umbilical cord blood if possible.
• I would like to see the placenta after it is delivered.
• I would like for my daughter and new big sister, Taylor Stanley, to push the Brahm’s Lullaby button celebrating the birth.

Postpartum

• I would like a private room, if available.
• Unless required for health reasons, I do not wish to be separated from my baby other than during designated physician examination times.
• I would like to have my baby “room in” with me.

Breastfeeding

• I plan to breastfeed my baby and would like to begin nursing immediately after birth.
• Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to my baby (including glucose water or plain water).

Photo/Video

• My husband (Travis Stanley), my mother (Charlene McMahon), and my doula (Addy Meisenheimer) are the only persons allowed to take any photos or video during labor or birth.
  
• I understand it is hospital policy that we cannot use a video camera during the actual birth.
  

Thank you all for being a part of this special day and doing your part to ensure our goals are met. Your guidance, support, and knowledge is appreciated! Thank you!