Hospital Tour Tonight

Today, I will be doing NOTHING. Well, as close to nothing as I'm capable of doing (or not doing). I need to save myself for the 7pm hospital tour. How sad is that I'm worried about the tour and it being at 7pm. My body keeps giving out earlier and earlier in the day, 7pm just doesn't seem fun to me right now. But, I'm going to get as much rest, feet up and horizontal time as possible so that I'll be good to go tonight!

One of the reasons we are going tonight is because my body is telling us it's time. But the other good reason to go tonight is because hubby's new business (the one he manages, not owns) opens next Monday (fingers crossed/all goes well/stars aligned/etc.) With the showroom opening next week, his hours are going to extend into the evenings and it won't be easy for him to get away for the hospital tour. 

Frankly, another reason I want to go is because I rather get pissed and angry and down about what I'm going to be put through NOW instead of closer to delivery time. I know I'm not going to be able to have the birth that my babies deserve in a hospital setting. But I also know that if something goes wrong, or they come early they will be in one of the best hospitals in the state. Some may argue the best in the state. 

Some of the questions I have are:

• Can I stay in the same room for labor & delivery (and post labor)? Now I'm 99% sure the answer will be "NO". With twins they generally take you to the OR to deliver. They put you on a hard table, bright lights, stirrups, the whole thing. Not what I want. But probably something I'll have to deal with.

• Do I have to have an IV in during labor? The answer is probably "YES". Again not something I want. This is something that I probably will refuse. I don't mind if they put the IV lock in, so that if they need to give me meds ASAP they can. Also, if I were to get too nauseous to drink fluids, then I would agree to one. 

• Can I eat or drink during labor? Again, this is something they are probably going to say, "NO" to. I get the whole "you may throw up if we are forced to put you under general anesthesia". But that's a risk I'm willing to take and I'm willing to sign wavers when needed.

• Will I be forced to have continuous monitoring on me while in labor? If so will I be able to walk and move around with it on? If the answer to this is "YES there will be continuous monitoring and No you won't be able to move around" then again I will be saying "No"! They can have a nurse come use a doppler on me every 15 mins or more often as we get closer to delivery. But I want to move and squat and walk and bend and labor like nature intended! Not stuck to a table. Gravity is my friend in delivery right? They want people who are trying to hold off labor to stay horizontal on bed rest. So why on earth would they want me to labor in a bed rest position?!!!!

• Will I be forced to put the epidural line in (without meds) early on? The answer will probably be "YES" as this is somewhat standard for twin births so that they can give you a spinal quickly in case a C-Section is needed. This is a HUGE NO for me. I will not accept it and I will not be badgered into it. I rather be put under general anesthesia if it comes to that. But I will NOT have an epi/spinal line placed in. The worst pain in my life was when I had a spinal tap from that brain bleed they thought I had 7 years ago. The doctor said, "This won't hurt, it is just like an epidural". UGH! Also, at Jake's birth, his birth mom was given an epidural, we were asked to leave the room while they placed it and she screamed and screamed and cussed and cried. She said it hurt like hell. So No, this procedure is not negotiable! Plus I don't want to be tempted to use the epidural. So if its not in, I won't be tempted.

• If I do have to go under general anesthesia, will hubby be allowed to stay in the room for the birth? This may be the ONLY reason I deviate from my refusal of a spinal. If they say, "No he can't be in there if you are under general" then I may change my mind. He deserves to see his babies being born. 

• What are the routine procedures after twins are born? I'm not overly opinionated on this. It will mostly depend on how the babies are doing after delivery. But basically we will request (if they are healthy and good) that they not be given ANY formula or other "additives". We will also probably be refusing the Vit K  & Hep B shots and the eye antibiotics. More research needs to be done on this. 

• Most important to us (again if babies are healthy) that they not leave my room. And if they are hubby must be able to accompany them. I sound like a freak I'm sure. But that's just the way it is. I don't want my babies separated from me. Jake was NEVER separated from me when he was born. I even gave him his first bath with the nurse in the nursery. That was truly an adoptive mom luxury! 

• If there is no health issues for me and the babies, when will be discharged? This is important to me. If I feel good and my babies are healthy, I want OUT of the hospital ASAP! I don't want to be away from Jake any longer than necessary.

Speaking of being away from Jake. Can you believe he is 2 1/2 and I'm still having issues leaving him with a reliable sitter for a few hours. This time my reasoning is it will be dinner/bed time when we leave him. That really bugs me. I know German Grandma will take good care of him and that he's safe and comfortable in our home. But I hate the thought of someone else tucking him tonight. That has NEVER happened before. Makes me sad!

Comments

[summer]

You need to do a birthplan, and than had it to the doctor, the hospital, the nurse etc. So everyone is on the same page! It is your birth and you have the right to do what you want!

Hugs,
Summer

[Away2me]

I'm actually not going to do a birth plan intentionally. I will do a basic plan as far as not circumcising, not eye antibiotics, etc. But they won't agree to my other requests, so it will be easier to just fight the battles as the come. LOL

[SAHW]

Oh I am SO glad I found your blog! I have hardly found any others expecting twins who are also trying to approach things as naturally as possible. Do update us when after tonight with the answers. : )

[Susan]

For my only child's birth that I had control over (my one successful pg), I sounded JUST Like you, but was having only one, so got away with it all. No IV, no epidural, nada of anything. Funny, though, once I was in labor, I found that if something was needed, I'd ask and then give in for the safety or info of my baby. I don't mean I "caved" about anything, actually, but I was willing to listen when her health was on the line. Turned out all went well and that except for a bright delivery room (which was good since her cord was dangerously around her neck X 2), I got everything I wanted. Stick with your own plan and you'll know what to do at the time. Learning where the sticking point (literally) will be helped me a LOT. I ended up really liking my hospital once I went through birth. Can't wait to hear, as I know that you aren't enamored of this hosp.

[StorkWatcher]

I have to say, as much as I'm sorry you may not get your dream birth, I am SO RELIEVED that you will be delivering in a hospital. My only reserve about homebirthing is not being able to get to the hospital in time if there is an emergency. There are so many more pros than that one con, but it's a BIIIIGGG con.

I hope the tour went well! (Guess I'll read about it in a minute).

Regarding leaving Jake? I've only left AP for a while w/ my sisters and mom. He even stays 3 days a week with my MIL while I work outside the home, but I cannot STAND the thought of him being with a non-family sitter or going to preschool or something ALONE!!! So I don't think it's strange that you don't want to be separated from little Jake.....