Hard To Give Up

Along the lines of pregnancy, please be praying for me about the birth...and for us and our decisions regarding it.

Man, have I loved my homebirths! And, most especially, with Asa...the whole water birth thing, I had my favorite midwife in the world there, etc. In my thoughts of this birth coming up, that is SO SAD to me to give up. Seriously, when I say so sad, I mean that I am on the verge of tears when I think about it. That was so important and special to us.

It's just not an option here though. We had originally thought that we may even be able to have Sylyna (my midwife from Texas) come down. She had talked about, before we left, coming down and delivering our babies for us here. She and some of her midwife friends have a real passion for that, considering it part of their ministry...traveling to deliver babies for the missionaries they know. It seems far-fetched at first, but when put that way...it's part of what they feel is their calling and ministry...it just might work. And, in fact, it does. Some of them have done just that. Well, it doesn't seem that it is going to work this time though. There are 3 reasons:

1. Sylyna's daughter is due with a baby also on Feb. 29th. Sylyna is supposed to be with her a month to help out. (my due date is Mar. 22nd)
2. Sylyna is also in school, to get her nurse midwife's degree I believe (she is a nurse and she is a lay midwife...she is now meshing the 2). She said this would probably not be a problem...that she could probably schedule around it, but still there is the #1 to deal with.
3. In Texas, Sylyna was linked and in contact with doctors who would take over and assume care if something went arry. Of course, that rarely ever ever happens, but if something should go wrong, that is always a consideration. Here she wouldn't have that. I mean, I'm sure in the end that wouldn't be an issue either...it could be set up that we could have that with the doctor I would be getting prenatal care with, but still a consideration.

Anyway, we just have lots of decisions to make and things to consider. We plan to go to all the hospitals and check things out...take tours. We also plan to hopefully interview/see several doctors until we find just the right one. Our prayer is that we go to just the right one right off the bat...and we know the perfect hospital for us immediately when we walk in the doors.

Some of the things that we have to possibly "go up against" are the practices done here. C-sections are done at an 80-90% rate here (depending on the region of the country). Episiotomies are standard. The typical hospital stuff is procedure, therefore not being able to move around or lie on my side (although we did hear of one place that is more progressive towards things that we are more used to and prefer, such as a birthing bed that allows the option of squatting, etc., so that part is encouraging). They have just recently stopped routinely shaving for birth even...total shocker to me that my friend had to be shaved during labor...yikes. And, some still do the enema thing. Not good, I tell you. Thankfully, having had 3 children naturally and normally on my own...well, that puts me way ahead of the ballgame. And, considering that I birthed really big babies...at home...without episiotomies (or shaving or enemas for that matter)...it shouldn't be a problem my friend's doctor friend told me. But, those things are always a concern and something you have to consider when choosing a doctor and hospital.

Pray for me esp. to have peace in all this, esp. considering the language barrier and not always knowing what's going on. My friend was already basically fluent when she delivered her first child here, but funny thing happened during labor. She couldn't speak a lick of Portuguese. Her brain went completely back to English. Funny huh? Well, not so funny I guess. :(

If you've always had a hospital birth and esp. if you've not done the all-natural thing, you may not even almost be able to relate. But, then again, maybe you can...if you think of it in terms of just doing the opposite of what you really yearn to do...not having your favorite doctor there, not having an epidural, etc.

Anyway, please just pray for us in those regards. Of course we know that God is going to take care of us in every possible way and provide all that we need. We can rest in that. But, keep the prayers going so that that will happen...that we will recognize that provision and be at peace. Thanks.

I do now have an appointment set up (finally) with a recommended doctor. I will be going to see her on Thursday, November 22nd. Happy Thanksgiving, huh? :) I guess there are worse things you can do on Thanksgiving. That just happened to be the earliest we could get in. Thanksgiving isn't celebrated here, obviously, so we are just rolling with it.

Thanks for your prayers.