Ranting- nothing to see here.

[justone_jen]

I'm 40 weeks and 5 days pregnant today, with no plans to be induced. I'm more terrified of Pitocin than I am of childbirth itself, if I'm to be completely honest. I quit talking about my labor plans a while ago, because I realized that most of the people surrounding me are not at all interested in natural birthing, and would rather criticize and condescend than just respect my choice to have a natural birth. Plus, this is my first child, so people just assume I'm completely ignorant (I am ignorant, but not entirely.).

My parents have been sort of unsupportive about having a natural birth. My dad has pretty much denied my ability to have a child without pain medicine. My mom stays quiet. Both agree that doctors know best, and that I should just blindly follow whatever the doctor says.

Yesterday, a friend of my mother's was induced (she was due today, 2/14) because the doctor said the baby was well over 9 pounds. They started Pitocin around 8AM yesterday, and her water broke at 11AM. The baby was delivered just before 11AM today (24 hours after her water broke), by cesarean.

The baby weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces. And, the doctor is a hero, even though without his bullshit weight prediction, she likely could have had a normal delivery.

I didn't say much when my mom told me her friend was being induced. I asked why, and said that the weight predictions could be off, because my mom asked me how they would know the size of the baby. Hearing that women are being induced never shocks me. In fact, I don't know many women who have gone into labor naturally, now that I'm thinking about it.

Anyway, it would be nice if they could appreciate that I've done my homework, and that outcomes like these are why I prefer to have my child naturally. It'd be nice if they believed my reasons for avoiding interventions. It'd be nice if I didn't get looked at like an irresponsible mother, because I don't blindly trust everything my doctor tells me.

Okay, rant over.

[redhead-bedhead]

*hugs*

[stevensmommy11]

I'm sorry mama. Good luck with it, and stick by your standards!

[mostlymaydays]

Regarding your dad's doubt you can handle natural birth: When my dh and I took childbirth classes, they asked the men to rate their partners' pain tolerance from 1 to 10. My dh said I was a 0. Now all said and done I've had four babies without any pain meds. Don't let anyone sell you short. You CAN do it, even if no one thinks you can. Stick it to them and do it.

[jconney80]

I totally understand. I see it as being extremely educated and informed but my family is just like OK big deal. Too bad we can't make them see it! You're doing great mama. I appreciate all of the effort you've put into it=) I know how much work it is to research it.

I didn't discuss my birth plans with my family because I knew they wouldn't get it. It just opens you up to negativity that you don't need. Keep your head up and don't let them pull you down

[justone_jen]

Thank you. :) The awesome thing about all of the research I've done is that I've gained a confidence in my body's abilities. Delivery makes me a little nervous, probably because I've never experienced it, but I'm actually not worried about the pain. I'm more worried about having to fight off interventions in the hospital.

Haha, honestly at this point, I'm welcoming any signs of pain, because I'm tired of being pregnant. :P

Quoting mostlymaydays:

Regarding your dad's doubt you can handle natural birth: When my dh and I took childbirth classes, they asked the men to rate their partners' pain tolerance from 1 to 10. My dh said I was a 0. Now all said and done I've had four babies without any pain meds. Don't let anyone sell you short. You CAN do it, even if no one thinks you can. Stick it to them and do it.

[justone_jen]

Thank you! I try to avoid the conversation completely, but my parents ask specific questions, and I sort of figured they'd be some of the most supportive.

If we ever decide to have more children, we've already agreed to home birth(s). I'm sure that'll be fun! ;)

Quoting jconney80:

I totally understand. I see it as being extremely educated and informed but my family is just like OK big deal. Too bad we can't make them see it! You're doing great mama. I appreciate all of the effort you've put into it=) I know how much work it is to research it.

I didn't discuss my birth plans with my family because I knew they wouldn't get it. It just opens you up to negativity that you don't need. Keep your head up and don't let them pull you down

[Paradys]

I had two, completely drug free births, at the ages of 17 and 19. It is not only possible but achievable, do ur labor at home, as the contractions get closer and u get more uncomfortable, then head to the hospital.

[justone_jen]

Thanks for the inspiration! I am definitely planning on laboring as long as possible at home. The only thing that makes me a bit nervous is knowing when I should head to the hospital. I can't say I'd be all that disappointed if I had an accidental home birth...

Quoting Paradys:

I had two, completely drug free births, at the ages of 17 and 19. It is not only possible but achievable, do ur labor at home, as the contractions get closer and u get more uncomfortable, then head to the hospital.

[BridgetMc]

I was right there with you until I had my daughter this last Saturday at 42w3d. You can do it! And don't worry about not knowing when to head to the hospital. I had my doubts too, but once that time came there was no doubting it! I got to the hospital, was dilated to an 8 & our baby girl was delivered 50 minutes later!

[justone_jen]

Congrats! :D That's so awesome!

Quoting BridgetMc:

I was right there with you until I had my daughter this last Saturday at 42w3d. You can do it! And don't worry about not knowing when to head to the hospital. I had my doubts too, but once that time came there was no doubting it! I got to the hospital, was dilated to an 8 & our baby girl was delivered 50 minutes later!