During majority of my pregnancy, I had normal one. Yeah, I got the aches and pains, regular pregnancy discomforts, but overall it was normal... until the very end.....
I started to get rashes on my tummy, then it spread to my legs and arms. It itched like crazy!!! After research on the Internet, we found it's a rare pregnancy rash called PUPPP. The doctor recommended Benadryl, but it only worked for a day. I even tried lots of benadryl cream and hydrocortisone cream with aloe, but none of them worked. I was getting desperate. My doula recommended dandelion root herb. My doctor didn't think herb is a good idea. But none of the doctors' recommendation worked! My good hubby did more research on the Internet and found that dandelion root worked for many pregnant women. Even still, we waited out, but it was getting to the point where I scratch myself that it started to bleed. So we tried the dandelion root herb and in a few days the rashes and itches became less. What a relieve! My obgyn said at the weekly checkup, oh seems like it's getting better, we just smiled. Seems like the doctors don't know how to cure this condition, since there isn't much funding to research this rare condition. More info on PUPPP:
http://www.tcinternet.net/users/kritzerburke/naomi/PUPPP.htm http://www.cynicalmom.com/2005/11/no_puppps_with_.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2829297 Many sufferers have reported complete elimination of the rash by taking dandelion root herbs - either as tea or in capsule form. Dandelion root is a herbal remedy that acts by cleansing the liver and ridding the body of bile acids (often the very cause of the itch). Sufferers have taken up to six capsules per day (three in the morning and three in the evening) and reported how the lesions have completely disappeared within five to seven days. Please note, dandelion contains a high level of vitamin A and high levels of this may be harmful to your growing baby, particularly in the first trimester of pregnancy. I made sure this natural herb is organic. For ones who think I'm not being a good mother for taking the dandelion root, you wouldn't want to wish this condition on your worst enemy! It was a torture. I wouldn't have take it if it wasn't causing me to go insane. pediatrician said our baby is in the 95 percentile and healthy with apgar score of 8/9 out of 10, so i'm not worried.
I would think the prescription drugs that the doctors gave me are more serious. In the "complete book of breastfeeding" by Dr. Eiger and Sally Olds, there's a section on drugs during childbirth. Many women use epidurals, pain killers, and antibiotics after c-section. the book stated that you have to weigh the relative risks and benefits of pain relief. If you're in so much pain during childbirth that you're worn out and overstressed, your ability to nurse will be affected. keeping down the amount you take minimizes the risk. the book also stated that whenever possible, it's better to continue breastfeeding than to wean your baby prematurely because you are taking a drug that might harm your baby. early weaning deprives the baby of the benefits of breastfeeding. also to take the medicine immediately after a feeding and to delay the next feeding as long as you can so that the medicine will have as much time as possible to work its way through your system before the baby's next nursing. meanwhile, watch your baby closely for any unusual symptoms - fever, sleepiness, vomiting, unusual crying, loss of appetite, diarrhea, rash, irritability, etc. Call the pediatrician if you notice these signs.
The zits I had for a year also started to disappear too. Then I realized I've been having liver problem since a year ago, probably due to stress. I sought dermatologist's recommendation before regarding my zits and they were going to give me more med, which could make it worse! Good thing I didn't take their med since I was planning to have a baby.
I also found the Sarna lotion really help relieve the itch temporary. at least to keep me sane for the moment.
That whole PUPPP experience was really stressful and my body was tired. But my mom came and it was really nice to have her here since I couldn't do much in my condition.
Then on Sat. end of week 38, I had heavy bleeding when I went to the bathroom, and part of it was mucus like. I guess it was the mucus plug coming off. It didn't bleed as much afterwards, just a little, and the contractions were not consistent, so the doctor wasn't worried. Apparently it doesn't mean the labor start right away when the mucus plug is loose and it can take days or week. So I would bleed a little and more mucus came off, more braxton hicks contractions (it feels like a bad cramps and period). I could feel that I'm dilating and effacing.
Few days later at the doctors weekly appointment on Wed. week 39, I was 1.5 cm dilated, 75% effaced, -1 station. it's good to hear I'm making progress after all these efforts. The doctor thought I could deliver by end of the week, but we made an appointment for next week just in case.
The expected due date on Sunday (week 39) came and went, we tried to be as patient as we can, realized the baby comes whenever she's ready. we tried to walk around the neighborhood and stores (went to Costco and Baby R Us), thumb sucking, and nipple stimulation, to speed up the delivery. but it was a wait and see game.
At the doctors weekly appointment on Wed. week 40, I was 3 cm dilated, 90% effaced, -1 station. The doctor thinks it can be any day now. The baby's heart beat was good. My tummy was big, but it was big throughout the whole process.
Then the cold snap came in Florida and it was really cold (by Florida's standard and many crops and plants were damaged), I got a light fever. It didn't go pass 100 degrees, but it was a fever nonetheless and it didn't help with my condition. I took Tylenol, it was on the approved list for pregnant women, regularly to reduce the fever. Good thing I didn't have a fever anymore when it was time to go to the hospital.
More and more braxton hicks contractions on Thurs and Friday of week 40, nothing consistent, but still painful. hubby would give me back massage and counter pressure to help with the back ache. I did a lot of pelvic rock, hands and knees to try to get the baby in the right position for labor. I was trying to do all the things we learned at the birthing classes. After midnight, Saturday morning, the contractions were starting to get regular. hubby draw a picture of lotus flower to help me visualize and meditate to relax and be less painful. then during the day, we thought we were going to the hospital soon. Loaded our luggages and baby seat. but the contractions were all over the place, nothing consistent. we reported progress with our doula. no hospital yet. I had contractions throughout Sat. night, my hubby was trying to keep track of them. I did some pelvic rocks, lounges, watched Seinfeld, took a shower to relax. we managed to get a few hours of sleep.
on Sunday, week 40 (lunar new year eve), it's now a week after the expected due date, I continued to have contraction throughout. In the wee early morning, my body was shaking. I could feel the pressure on my pelvic. Hubby took my temperature, it was high, but not over 100, so I took a tylenol. I had a lot of back pain and hubby was giving me counter pressures. I continued to do pelvic rocks and lounges. I got sharp pains in the afternoon on Sunday. Phone calls and e-mails were coming in to see if the baby is here yet. but I was trying to focus on the breathing and the contractions. We checked in with doula, no hospital yet, the contractions were not close enough. I continued to get some red mucus plug here and there, and i thought my body was making progress, slowly.
In the late afternoon, it was more of the same. contractions, pelvic rock, ate something and drink to replenish my fluid. It was intense at times. then I must have hit the natural alignment plateau, because the pain was less and I can talk and smile a little bit. My doula called to check on me, she said to call her if the contractions are closer together. Then, right after the phone call, the contractions started to get really really strong, and I was on hands and knees doing pelvic rock and yelling out I want epidural!! hubby quickly called our doula and she was on her way. apparently she was waiting for me to get to this point when i ask for drugs. i wanted the intense pain to go away, so i started a warm bath. my water hadn't broken yet. the water really helped with the pain, i wanted to deliver in the water. but it's not allowed at the hospital.
the doula came quickly but the bath was feeling so good that my contraction stopped. she said that they usually don't start the bath this early. so we went to take a walk around the neighborhood slowly to get the contractions back. i walked for about every 10-20 steps, then I got the contraction pains. I lend my body against hubby and rock my pelvis. neighbors were looking at us with concern. it was getting dark, so we headed back home, had some dinner at 7 pm, and called my OB office. I tested positive for the Group B Strep, they needed time to inject dosage, so more reason to start going to the hospital now. Dr. M was on called that night. with 3-4 minutes of contractions apart, he sent us to the hospital.
We had 2 medium sized suitecased packed already, one for items we need during the labor, the other is for items we need during recovery. We went through the check list and packed up whatever we still needed. We got Gatorade ice chips, and hubby got lots of drinks ready in the cooler. My mom and doula followed us to the hospital. I had a big pad on my seat just in case my water break. i heard amniotic fluid doesn't smell too good in the car :) Luckily UCH is only 10 minutes away, down the street. My contraction was coming so I face backward, got on my knees on the seat and lean on the head rest to continue my deep breathing and telling myself to relax.
When we got to the hospital on Sunday night, they sent me up to get my health insurance info (it helps if you pre-register before hand) and to the triage to check on my condition first. I took doula with me, while hubby and mom waited in the lobby. i got undressed and put on the hospital gown. the nurse took my urine sample, asked some questions, checked my cervix, reviewed my birth plan, admitted me in to a delivery room, and sent up my hubby and mom. All the nurses and staffs at UCH were just excellent. The pm nurse Claudette was so sweet and attentive. even though she was supportive of our birthing plan, she had to check with Dr. M if I can drink fluid throughout.
Regarding the birth plan, we made sure we reviewed it with all of the OB doctors in the practice before hand and got their okay since we didn't know who will be on call when the baby comes. One of the thing I requested in the birth plan was allow to drink fluid, and Dr. M didn't object about this before, but on that day, he told the nurse he had trouble with it before during a surgery. Well, I was allowed ice chips, and nurse allowed me to have gatorade ice chips as well, so I can't help the form changes and ice melted. So hubby gave me straw to drink to keep me hydrated. Actually, when I got to the hospital, when the nurse put in the heplock IV in back of my hand, she couldn't find my veins because I was so dehydrated during the contractions. the needle hurts like hell on back of my hand. I was trying to meditate and relax so it won't hurt as much. I thought I was drinking enough, but I guess not (they don't put IV inside the elbow area where they usually draw the blood so that when it comes time to push, it won't be in the way.)
Next few hours were a blur. I recalled doula telling me I'm doing a great job, and letting me know when the contraction is coming down, which was just music to my ears. She knew all the right thing to say and gave me support throughout the night. I liked the room dim and quiet, so I can focus on my breathing. Doula recommended during the contractions, I squat down to open up my pelvis. At the end of each contraction, my hubby gave me some water to drink to keep me hydrated. We were working as a team. i was breathing a lot through the labor and got very thirsty. it was a repeated cycle - contraction coming, breathe, pain, oh screamed, prayed, squatted, contraction peaked, came down, got some ice chips or fluid through straws. when i was not squatting, i would lean on piles of pillows. every time when i moved, the fetal monitor can't stay still in a place and doula helped by finding the baby's heart beat again. we wished someone would invent a better monitor. I got so tired I actually slept through some big contractions. strangely i wasn't in pain when i was sleeping. it was such a good pain reliever.
I got up couple of times to go to the bathroom, and my hubby wheeled the IV stand. I got the room with a bath tub and water jets, but the bathroom didn't look too clean and i wasn't sure if the jet was sanitized and the tub was a regular rectangle tube, not the big comfortable one, so i never used their bath tub to keep me comfortable.
I had the hospital robe on and I was bleeding here and there. They gave me a big pad to wear and a sexy netted underwear where they can cut through quickly if needed. other than drinks, we bought some snacks like cookies for nurses and support people to keep their energy going. i think sun chips would have been a good choice as well. they had the birthing ball at the hospital, but I was feeling pressure down there and didn't want to sit on the ball.
Dr. M came to check on me a few times. I wasn't making progress, but we asked for more time. It's either he's a jerk or he had a bad night. He was very condescending, even the nurse and doula thought so, but I just ignored him. We knew from talking with him before that he's going to be trouble, good thing he's not my regular OB doctor. By early Monday dawn, I still wasn't making progress, so he offered pitocin or break the bag of water. We decided to break the water, and the warm water was just gushing out of me. It felt interesting, like I never felt before, but the water had meconium which was a concern.
The sun was coming up. we could see the sunshine coming through the windows. It was Monday morning. I contracted some more, but it was time to change the shift. Yeah, no more Dr. M. I was trying to look sad. I didn't have a good impression of the male OB doctors anymore after these experience. They just don't know what women are going through and they just followed the text book answers, or react to their previous bad experiences. Monday morning Jan. 26th, the nurse shift also changed. I didn't realize my sense of smell was really intense. The new nurse had some perfume on and was bothering me so much while I was trying to focus on my contractions. Apparently, the heightened sense of smell is another sign of labor.
Dr. S came in later, my regular OB doctor. she said that I waited for her. I guess we all did. the baby waited until the first day of lunar new year of Ox. Ox like my hubby. Dr. S checked my cervix, still no progress, but she gave us some time. By then, I was contracting for so long and so tired, in so much pain, I was looking like a mad woman and pulling my hair. I kept thinking about the epidural, but we had a goal of natural delivery for the benefit of the baby. it was so difficult. after such a long labor, contracting for a few days!!! 60+ hours of contractions. the baby was still at -1 station and 6 cm dilated, and not making progress. I'm not even at the transition stage, which is supposed to be the hardest part!!! I was tired mentally and physically after such a long time. I'm not sure if it's because I was too tired and my uterus was exhausted from working for a few days, my contraction started to slow down to every 5-8 minutes again. I thought of a very good friend's advise that I didn't have to be a super woman, and I broke down, said this is just inhumane, cried, sobbed, and asked the nurse for the epidural. My hubby actually sobbed with me seeing that I was in so much pain, for so long. The nurse got the anaesthesiologist and he came quickly. I was afraid that I'll move during the contraction, doula was helping me hold still. i wanted to know when the anaesthesiologist is going to start and to time it when my contraction ends. as i was talking, the anaesthesiologist said he's done. the anaesthesiologist was very good and quick. I didn't feel anything really. I didn't even know he was working on me and next thing I know he was done. I asked for the lightest dosage to start with and i was in heaven...
They injected pitocin to speed things up since the water had meconium, and the baby could be in distress. i slept through the contractions and didn't really feel anything. Dr. S came to check on me again and I still wasn't making progress!! still at -1 station and only 6 cm dilated. on the contrary, the baby's heart beat kept going down to a really dangerous level that they had to stop the pitocin. Dr. S recommended that I get a c-section! just what we wanted to avoid! She gave us 10 mins to think about it. Luckily the am shift nurse Valerie was very good at explaining. She showed us the my stats and explained the facts. I didn't want an emergency c-section and I knew that this was the only way out after few days working at this! So I agreed. My hubby was in disbelieve what was happening, but he agreed as well.
The whole c-section process was very quick and all of the staffs were very professional and very attentive. I was very impressed with UCH. My hubby put on the surgery gown and got his camera to capture the moments. We had the cord bank kit as well. They checked three times to make sure the anaesthetic worked before they start. I was feeling good and we chatted with the anaesthetic nurse to distract our minds. She gave us the progress and made sure I was doing okay. Dr. P was also there to assist which was good. I knew I was in good hands. Next thing I heard the doctors grunted trying to get something big out and telling Wesley to get his camera ready. The doctors yelled out that it was a big baby and she was facing up (instead of facing my spine for better delivery). Apparently, she was a big baby (almost 10 lbs) that she just couldn't move down. I guess the pelvic rock didn't really help with this one. the doctor thought she was about 8 lbs, but it was a guess and didn't realize she's almost 10 lbs. I wished they could've done an ultrasound to determine the size of the baby first. it was a BIG baby. even though I was trying not to eat too much, either I was eating too healthy or the baby absorbed the nutrition very well. the whole c-section process was only one hour and i had the epidural for only about two hours.
looking back, i think overall, even though it was as traumatic as my body can take, I think we made the right decisions. my friend's advise was in my mind that I didn't have to be a super woman, we knew many people who had c-section and they were okay, and i didn't want the doctor to have to perform an emergency c-section and jeopardize our lives. later during the recovery, couple of nurses told me that they had a big baby and got tore up pretty bad down there and I didn't want that! both baby and I are doing as well as can be expected. i'm slowly recuperating from the cuts, and it's getting better every day and thank goodness my mom was here to help! i'm truly truly blessed to have all the supports that I received throughout this whole experience.
OB doctor let hubby took pictures of our newborn in the surgery room. As soon as she was born, she cried and had tears. She came out at 40th week, full term baby. As soon as I saw her, I was in tears too. Happy ones. I heard the doctors went through a checklist to make sure they didn't leave any instruments inside of me. Good practice! Check out Oprah's 8 Ways to Avoid Medical Mistakes - Dr. Oz's Smart Patient Checklist!
We moved up to the recovery room from the delivery room. the nurse bathed the baby. and we started the journey to learn how to be a first time parent. i was in bed most of the time recuperating, and Wesley had the guest bed, but we didn't sleep much during the first few days to take care of the new born. Hubby was so helpful throughout. He learned from the nurse how to change the diapers. i read in the Baby 411 book to bring baby wipes. The hospital does provide dry wipe (but you have to wet first) and diapers (Pampers Swaddlers are the best. The blue line shows that the baby peed and we had to keep track of when the baby pooped, peed, and ate how much). We learned so much from the nurses. the experienced helpful nurses were the best. We were trying to figure out why was the baby crying, how to hold the baby, how to feed the baby, etc. It's not the same when you get a live baby versus practice on a doll.
I learned that I had to take advantage of the nurse button while we're in the hospital, when we had no idea why the baby is still crying or to ask for the lactation counselors whenever we needed help. I had to remember to ask for the pain killer med every four hours. they won't give them to me unless i ask. Because the baby was so big, the colostrum wasn't enough to fill her tummy. we were afraid that she'll get confused with the different sucking motion between nipple and bottle like some books advise. but she kept crying for food, so we fed her Enfamil Lipil and she was content. Later talking with my sister in law, that's the best formula to use since it's closest to breast milk. We found our baby was still able to breastfeed and supplement with formula until more milk arrives. She was so big that the hospital hat didn't fit her, Wesley had to go back home and bring some bigger sized cloth to fit her.
The hospital food was just okay (at UCH, call ext. 51294 to request for special meals). i couldn't eat on the day after c-section, i can only take liquid until i pass gas. i was so dehydrated, so i drank the juice at the hospital, but it was still too much and I threw up. the bucket they used to bath your baby is yours to keep and it came in handy.
after walking around slooowly around the hallway and passing gas, i was able to eat soft food, but the hospital didn't give me much soft food to eat! so my hubby ate most of my dinner. i had some mash potatoe and banana. well good thing i wasn't hungry then. the next day, i was getting hungry and the nurse allowed me to start eating, yeah! and good thing my mom bought in some yummy food to keep our energy going.
the hospital had good medical staff, but it was no Marriott. the shower was kind of yucky and no light in the shower. good thing i packed flip flop, hair blow dryer, tooth brush, tooth paste, hair brush, hair piece to tie up hair, change cloth for hubby, small blanket for the hubby during bedtime (hospital provided sheets and pillows for us, and blanket for me), light jacket, baby clothes and swaddle, baby car seat (installed), bath towels, shampoo for me, straws, cell phone charger, digital camera, pen & notepad to keep track of things, boppy pillow which was very helpful during feeding. UCH has wireless internet connection, so it was nice to have a laptop with us.
I had a bandage on my suture. Dr. Y, another male doctor was going to tear it off, but I said no, it'll hurt. I'll do it later. The nurse eventually wanted me to remove it so that it can get some air and heal better. The nurse gave me the tip that when I shower, rub some soap and water, it'll remove easier and won't hurt as much. I couldn't see over my tummy, so hubby had to help me with that one. Another example that male doctor never experience something like this and has no idea what woman are going through and how to comfort the patient, just the text book answers.
Before we leave the hospital on Thursday, they had to remove the staples. I was kind of scared, but the nurse said it was no worse than getting needle shots. I made sure I took some pain killer. the nurse was very gentle and it wasn't bad at all.
The hardest part of c-section recovery were breastfeeding, taking care of baby, and still handling the pain from the cuts and uterus contracting back. The doctor recommended that I rest a lot and not do much. Thank goodness I had hubby and mom around. My mom offered to take care of the baby at night so we can get a good night sleep, oh my god! it made such a difference!! Talk about lack of sleep, the first day back home, hubby went to CVS to fill the prescription for my pain killer med, and due to lack of sleep, he ran a red light! thank goodness nothing happened.
After the PUPPP experience, you think I can escape the itchiness. The PUPPP itchiness went away, however, I had allergic reaction to the med or the pain killer that I was taking. I was either suffering from the pain or the itchiness, and it was driving me crazy. My legs and arms must look horrible, plus the stretch marks on my tummy. My body really took the bruise and the beating. Dr. recommended to stop the prescribed pain killer and antibiotic med all together. So back to Sarna lotion and trying to detox my body. The first two weeks were the hardest, but it got easier day by day. Don't give up on the breastfeed, keep at it. Plum juice is supposed to help regulate digestion. and drink plenty of fluid especially when you breastfeed.
I was also suffering from worrying that I'm not providing the baby enough breast milk. it just didn't come fast enough to feed her hungry stomach. and trying to get the latch thing going... all the expectations and trying to do what's right at the same time recoup from c-section were just overwhelming.
I'm feeling better day by day and Jasmine is such a good baby. She's very healthy and well developed at 95 percentile. She can already move her arms with good coordination and try to hold the bottle to her mouth. She can really eat! we can't feed her fast enough and when she's hungry, she gets really, really mad. She already outgrow many of the clothes. Her pediatrician said she's big now, but that doesn't mean she'll stay like that when she grows up.
The whole experience was still surreal and I couldn't believe it. The most most essential thing is the safe delivery of the baby and well being of the mother. We knew from start that labor delivery can be so unpredictable and to be flexible with whatever comes your way. No one predicted that we have a 10 lbs turkey :) you can prepare by educating yourself so that you can make the right decisions. it is also essential for the mom to get as much rest as possible. good food and plenty of fluid. looking back, we wished we have more photos of her and us when she was just borned. we were in recovery and getting adjusted to her that we didn't have an ounce of energy left. so be sure to ask your visitors and family to take lots of photos for you from your camera!!!
now i experienced this, to all the moms out there, to my mom, her mom, and moms before that, you're amazing for bring a person to the world. and thanks daddys and family support. we couldn't do it without the team. It is indeed a miracle how a life formed inside of me. i looked at every inch of her body, her little toes, little fingers, chubby cheeks, eyes, little nose, full head of hair, cute mouth. mommy and daddy are going to spend rest of our lives with you. It is simply amazing. We created a human being...
Here is Wesley's story from his perspective:
We just had our baby girl, Jasmine, Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. Below is our birthing story.
Mary was 3 cm on Wed. Her labor started on Friday but stopped in the middle of the night. It started up again on Sat. and became 5-8 minutes apart around 8 pm on Sat.
By Sunday 3 pm, she was consistently at around 4-5 minutes apart so we walked around, squat, and labor 4-5 more hours at home. We checked into the hospital at around 9 pm when her contractions were 3-4 mins apart. When we checked in, she was 6 cm with the baby at -1 station. She continued to have contractions throughout the night and we continued to walk and squat until Mon. morning and the contractions were getting to 2-3 minutes apart. The doctor checked and she was still 6 cm and the baby was still -1 station. We were offered pitocin or breaking of the membrane to speed up the labor so we chose the latter.
The membrane was broken at 3 am and it has meconium so the doctor was a little concerned. He asked what we'd like to do and we decided to continue with her labor. By 9 am, her contraction has already been 2-3 minutes apart and very intense for about couple hrs. The doctor checked her again at 9 am and she was still 6 cm and -1 station.
By this time she was completely exhausted and her uterus was probably exhausted as well since it started to go back to 5-8 mins per contraction again. At this point, the doctor recommended that we take epidural and pitocin to help with the contraction. We decided and agree that we should try it.
She got the epidural and pitocin and when the nurse increased the pitocin dosage, the baby's heart rate started to drop so they have to stop adminstering the pitocin. We tried pitocin again in an hr and the baby's heart rate dropped again.
At this point, the doctor thinks that the baby may be stucked and recommended C-section. I was thinking "oh no", this is what we were warned in Bradley class and here it is happening to us. Mary and I were very upset but we decided to go ahead with C-section since she's been in hard labor for about 60 hrs and there's no progress at all. At the end we were both glad that we went with C-Section. It turns out that baby was nearly 10 lbs so no matter how much contraction Mary had, the baby just won't move down.
The birthing experience didn't turn our the way we wanted but we're still blessed with a healthy baby and mom and that is the most important thing.
P.S. new parents, as soon as you're feeling well, document your birthing story while it's still fresh in your mind, because after few months later, you'll forget and it's probably nature's intention to erase the pain so you'll want another child :) People want to know what caused your situation/problem, what did you decide how did you decide, what techniques helped you, and what was the outcome.
after listening to other's birthing story, seems like the best supportive place to have birth is at a birthing center assuming your birth is a normal birth. however, if something happen or the birth won't progress and you have to go to the hospital through emergency, seems like the doctors and staff on call can be spotty. my obgyn group said they won't take me if i come in emergency, they don't want to fix other medical profession's mistake and increase their chance of malpractice. also, it seems that a lot of doctors recommend things that's convenient for them, not what's the best for their patients. maximize earning, minimize time spent per patient. we see doctors would use scare tactics, bully, or just simply perform it without asking your consent. so it's important to find a good doctor that will do and recommend things that are good for the patient, not because it's easier for the doctor. ask around, bradley method teacher and la leche league. we asked doctors hard questions, but they answer what we want to hear, and when it's critical time, their intention is something else. we went over our birthing plan each time we meet with obgyn group, they're okay with it, but when it's time, the story changes. seems like the doctor want you to deliver on their shift so they can get paid instead of the next shift. also, it's best to get the anaesthesiologist as late as you can. seems like many moms didn't have a good experience like I did and had bad side effects. a mom got the epidural but it weared off when it's time to push.
P.S.S. Expecting parents, we were so glad that we took the Bradley method birthing class. the class meets 12 times, but at the end, we were so much more prepared, not as afraid of the unknown and the birthing process. we know the steps, the signs, and how to make better informed decisions. The class not only inform you of the birthing process and teach you relaxation methods, but also to teach the spouse how to be a coach and be invovled throughout the process. my husband said all the guys in the Bradley method class must be good guys, because to be that invovled and attend the classes take committment :) Melissa Taylor our Bradley method instructor was so supportive throughout the whole process. she's amazing. We're so glad to know her and be part of her class! looking back, the cost of the class is minimum compared to the sonogram and the doctors fee. i would recommend it to anyone who want an informed birth!
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In the 
Central Park
My lovely parents!
Mr. Walt Disney and Mickey
