My first birth experience was overall really awesome - I had no birth plan because I wanted to be open-minded. The only real "surprise" was that my epidural didn't work the first try & that was definitely a pivot but in the end things progressed in a way I was happy with and that allowed me to look back positively on the process. As I am about to go down this road again I am finding myself really reflecting on all parts of the experience.
Yesterday, I officially hit 39 weeks of pregnancy #2 and as strange as it sounds I have finally begun to process that I am having another baby. Maybe it's the toddler distraction, the pandemic... it's all felt a little less top of mind this go but as I prepare for welcoming another human into our life here are 5 lessons I'm taking from birth the first go and applying to bb 2.
Greater understanding of the physical process of birth. This pregnancy I took a more active role in understanding physically what happens during birth. Specifically how I can connect to my pelvic floor. I credit my visits to a pelvic floor physiotherapist at West End Mamas and my prenatal bump method classes for that education.
Further to point one, I just finished reading Ina May's "Guide to Childbirth". While I am not wholly committed to an unmedicated experience, I am committed to taking a more active role in following my body's instincts and trusting that my body can actually do this. This book provided me with a lot of helpful information & confidence I didn't know I needed.
Focusing hard on the moment & letting go of the need to update everyone. When I went into labour the first go, I actually just shut my phone off - and I'll definitely be doing that again - but after the birth I was so engaged in updating our friends and family. I'd like to try harder this time to truly enjoy the hours after birth with baby & my husband - no distractions!
Enjoying & trusting the experience. Knowing that this happens quickly and will be transformative - I really want to appreciate this birth for whatever is it. I have had to try really hard to not compare pregnancies so when I go into labour I'll be working hard to treat this as a new and unique experience just like my first.
New baby, new chapter. At my last midwife appointment I expressed concerns about how the epidural not working the first go slightly threw me for a loop - and she simply enforced that I have to appreciate that the body & birth will unfold as meant to be & I know I'll be okay because I've done it before.
Trust & confidence in labour as a process is something that I don't think gets a lot of airtime. Women are still often surrounded by fearful narratives & onslaughts of opinions from other people before they have their own experience. I think the best advice you can get and give about labour & delivery prep is that there simply is no right or wrong approach. It's going to happen as it will and the only thing that matters is that the mother feels supported in her choices and that leads to a healthy mama & baby.