Monday, August 6, 2012

Preparing for Trig - The Plan

I am an avid believer that having no plan is NOT a good plan. Although things can change in an instant when it comes to birthing babies I like to be assured that my midwife and the nurses are well aware of my wishes so they can try to accomodate them as much as possible.
Providence does provide a template for a "Birth Plan' but it is pretty vague so I decided to take some time and research other plans. I wasn't surprised to find many women who have the same vision in their heads for their birth experiences.
Just like all things posted in this blog I think that this "plan" is something that I want to remember and be able to look back on when my boys are older.


Birth Preferences for Shannon D.

I understand that the following is for a best case scenario. I am very aware that things can change suddenly and interventions might be required for the safety of me and the baby. I only request that barring an emergency situation, I be informed prior to any procedures and be allowed to ask questions regarding the pros and cons. Thank you very much!

HOSPITAL ADMISSION & PROCEDURES
Once I'm admitted, I'd like:
*My husband, Matt, and our doula, Serena, to be allowed to stay with me at all times.
As long as the baby and I are doing fine, I'd like to:
*Have intermittent rather than continuous fetal monitoring and to try to stay hydrated by drinking clear fluids instead of having an IV to allow for freedom of movement.
*Be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits and have my labor augmented only if necessary.

LABORING AND BIRTH
*If available, I'd like to try a birthing ball, squatting bar, birthing tub, etc.
*I'd like to try the following pain-management techniques: acupressure, bath/shower, breathing techniques/distraction, hot/cold therapy, massage.
*Please don't offer me pain medication. I'll request it if I need it. If I request it during a contraction, please ask me again when the contraction is over if I still want the medication.
When it's time to push, I'd like to:
*Try different positions for pushing and birth.
 *Do so instinctively when I have the urge. Coaching would be appreciated during crowning to help reduce the likelihood of perineal tearing.
*Try perineal massage or a compress to help prevent tearing, though I would prefer to tear over an episiotomy.
After birth, I'd like:
*The baby to be placed right on my stomach or chest and to try to nurse immediately.
*Not to be given Pitocin to help deliver the placenta unless it's deemed necessary.
*I prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before being clamped.
*My husband to cut the umbilical cord if he wishes.
*Any shots, tests, and procedures to be delayed an hour to allow time for skin to skin contact with the baby and nursing if the baby's health and safety allow it.

POSTPARTUM
While recovering, I'd like:
*All newborn procedures to take place in my presence if possible.
*My husband to stay with our baby at all times if I can't be there.
*24-hour rooming-in with our baby.
*I plan to breastfeed exclusively. Please do not offer our baby formula, sugar water, or a pacifier.

Adventures in Potty Learning with Knox

Our potty learning journey began when Knox was 13 months old when I decided to go to an elimination communication class. I call it "potty learning" instead of "potty training" because I am teaching him rather than training him....he's not a dog.
Most of the babies in the class were 6 months or younger so Knox was really the old man of the group. It quickly became clear that this would be a bit different because he was in between the age for ECing and typical potty training. We just went with the flow and took from the class what I could.
We purchased a small no frills potty chair for Knox and started on our way. The very most important part of this process was that he felt comfortable with the potty, big and small. Many children have issues with potty learning because they are scared of the potty. All of a sudden this new thing is introduced to them when they are somewhere between 2 and 3 and they really aren't happy about it. With Knox being so young he didn't think twice.
We would sit him on the potty and most of the time he would sit there just a few minutes and begin to squirm. It really came down to timing. After he had quite a bit to drink we would start taking him every 10 to 20 minutes. Eventually we would catch him and all we had to do was cheer for him. It was great that we didn't have to reward him with candy or stickers, he was just so proud that we were clapping and praising him.

November 2011 - 13 months

Snacking while on the potty.

Between 13 months and 16 months we would sit him on the potty off and on. I didn't have high expectations. I just wanted him to feel comfortable with the potty. It worked out pretty well for us that he made this great "poop face" so we would try to rush him to the potty. Sometimes we caught him and sometimes not. Reading and snacks were a big help in getting him to stay on the potty in hopes to get a pee out of him.
At about 17 months we got a little more serious with the timing and we were able to get him to the potty quite often. The more we got him to the potty the easier it was for him to correlate the feeling with the result. This went on for about 2 months. He would clap for himself and shout "yay" because he was so proud when he went potty. We used undies off and on depending on our patience level for the day.
February 2012 - 16 months
I only left him for a moment!


Around 19 months he finally understood the whole idea of "potty". If we sat him down and he had to go he went. If not he would shout "done" at us.
When Knox was about 20 months we decided to move his potty from the bathroom to the hardwood in the kitchen/living area. June was here and were seeing a little bit of sun so it was the perfect opportunity to allow Knox to go pant-less in the backyard. He loved it and this was another great potty learning opportunity.
We started allowing him to go pant-less in the house and right before our eyes he was heading to the potty all by himself. 
Within 1 month he was using the potty by himself and attempting to take it into the bathroom and dump into the big potty. He now says "poop" and runs to his potty when necessary.
At 21 months I can officially say that Knox is house trained. Meaning that while we are home and he is pant-less he has no issues with using the potty. The only time we use diapers is for naps and outings. It is a work in process but I am confident that he will be 100% diaper free during  the day in  no time! He is one smart cookie!