about getting ready for their birth and kept coming across these elaborate birth
plans. One mom described how she created a playlist and practiced her breathing
to those specific songs and also burnt her favorite candles during these
practice sessions. She planned to recreate this calming atmosphere in the
delivery room. I already knew what my husband (who is a medical professional)
would say if I started talking about my “birthing playlist” and specific scents
that I wanted in the delivery room. While the birth of your child (or children)
is special event, it is also a medical procedure and I’ve heard doctor and nurse
friends talk about how all of this “extra stuff” can make their job tougher and
then when the birth plan has to be adjusted often the moms-to-be have meltdowns.
Yes, you want to be comfortable but the more detailed plan you create, the
bigger chance that something will happen that will knock your plan out of
alignment. (With my luck my ipod would die and I would forget how to breathe
without the music!) Yes, I tried to deliver without a c-section. But that didn’t
work out. My fear was that if it was that I’d finally push Baby A out and then I
would be so exhausted that I wouldn’t be able to keep pushing for Baby B and
have to have a c-section any way—and I REALLY didn’t want to be recovering both
ways!
My “birth plan” included getting both babies out safely. Their
health was my first priority, then mine, then my thoughts about what I wanted to
happen. I don’t feel robbed of “the perfect birth”, because I have my girls. I
don’t feel like I missed out on the delivery because I ended up having surgery
to bring them into the world. I DID cry after, but it was because I was so
grateful and happy that my babies were finally here! Yes, it is good to know
what you want in a delivery. If you are open to a c-section and you have a
doctor who refuses to deliver this way—it might be time to find a different
doctor. It is important to know if there are things that you absolutely
wouldn’t want. But a pregnancy with multiples is complicated and often there is
an increased risk (simply due to the number of people involved!).
I found out early on that I would be delivering in the OR just in
case things got complicated and plans needed to change. I wanted my husband in
the room, and everyone else to be in the waiting room (or at home) to be sending
us good thoughts and their prayers. I thought I’d try to go without a c-section
and see what happened. I knew I wanted an epidural because if trouble started,
and an emergency c-section was needed, I would most likely be able to stay awake
during the operation. Other than that, going with the flow made things much
easier. Also a great way to start your journey on the road of motherhood—because
being flexible made my first day of being a mommy easier and it continues to do
so as my girls grow up.