Friday, March 13, 2009

The business of being born

Have you seen that movie? It's a documentary by Ricki Lake? It's very informative. It definitely gives you the side of people who prefer natural birth. If you haven't seen it and are preggo I think it's definitely worth a look see. I can't say it changed my mind, I still wouldn't be brave enough to try an at home birth, but as far as all the info on hospitals and drugs and how your day coul go, it was very good. Ricki is a brave woman showing herself totally naked giving birth in a bath tub. I am way too much of a prude for that, but then again that just goes to show you that I have something wrong with my body image! LOL!

I was very shocked when the Anesthiaologist who gave the talk at our hospital said that 99% of their patients get epidurals. To me that didn't seem like something to brag about...he said the national average is 80 something %.

9 comments:

N.D. said...

i used to think I was prude like that about my body and now I just don't care anymore - birth did that to me! I did care when I went in and wore a sports bra instead of having just that robe on in delivery but now I will just sit here and breastfeed in front of most people and not care who is looking. I feel like they scare you about the drugs and push natural birth most places you read - but you won't win a medal for doing natural. Definitely worth a try and open mind, but don't be afraid to get that epi either.

Audrey said...

I second what N.D. said. Come back and tell us what kind of prude you are after the baby. When I was in college my suite mate used to flash me all the time because she knew I was sort of shy/prudish about being seen naked or others naked. Then I had a hospital birth, where every nurse on the floor grabbed my boob at least once post birth and 4 guys who weren't my husband or doctor watched me get catheterized after the epidural. Things like that suddenly take the prude out of you.

Follick Photography said...

found your blog from a friends blog list. i saw a little bit about the Ricki Lake birth on some talk show a while back. I agree, she is way WAY braver than me! haha
i am pregnant with my 4th right now, and had an epidural with the 1st three. during my 2nd the medicine wore off right as it was time for baby to join the world. it was a terribly unpleasant feeling haha especially since i wasnt really prepared for it. looking back, i think i could handle the birth without meds, but i dont think i could sit through hours and hours of contractions without them!
was that overshare for my 1st blog comment to you? =P

Angela said...

Everything your talking about feeling is totally normal. And the other gals are right, your body image and your prudishness will disappear when the time comes and your actually in labor. It's more of a "if you can help me and this pain then come on in" attitude.

I had 1 shot of stadol in labor #1 which wore off when I was 9cm and they wouldn't give me anymore...and I had no option but to deliver drug free with #2. Essentially both births were drug free and it's really not bad. Had I known at the time that the contractions I was having when I got the stadol shot were the worst, I wouldn't have gotten the shot. You are strong, relax.

Angela and David said...

Everybody's delivery experience is different. You'll do what's right for you when the time comes. And I was a prude as well but more doctors and nurses saw more parts of me and I couldn't have cared less when I was going through it. I am returning to my prudish ways, though.

Clare said...

i didn't believe them but it is so true...the prude thing will disappear (at least for a while) during labor and if you nurse. suddenly other things are much more important!

Michelle Simmons said...

Never saw that film... Probably would have scared me to death! It's true though- when you're going through it, you just do whatever you have to... And in the end the gift of your little girl makes you forget it all. :)

Audrey said...

Heya, I'm locking my journal. Shoot me an email with your gmail address so that I can invite you to read. :)

Sadie Jordan said...

I love that film! It is a beautiful and loving way to look at birth. I love the comments the French OB says. When you are in labor all that matters is meeting your sweet baby. The body stuff just becomes so unimportant. Surround yourself with people that love you and believe in you! You can do it!