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Some people snicker at the thought of a birth plan. But I like the idea of having a plan. Sure...things don't always go as expected, but it's good to have a plan A. What about a plan B? Plan C?
One mom I know ended up having strangers deliver both her babies because her doctor was unavailable at go-time. Another mom had an unplanned home birth.
As a first-time mama-to-be, this possiblity is super scary to me.
My OBGYN office has three possible doctors that will be with me during the birth of my twins. While I love them all, I am partial to one...because she is a mom of twins as well. I'm sure one of the three will be there, but what if they aren't? And what if my doula is at another birth and I get her backup?
What if I forget all the knowledge I am arming myself with in the delivery room? What if my husband draws a blank, too?
OK, I won't get overly paranoid, but having a plan B and C sure does sound like a good idea.
Are you prepared for the possibility of your doctor or midwife being unavailable? Have you talked to your doctor about it?
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Comments (10)
Prepare for anything to happen. After the nightmare that was my first birth, I'm working on making myself feel okay with whatever happens. In the end, the baby comes out somehow and we are assisted by someone.
I'm worried about making it to the hospital- my last baby came so quickly I barely made it in the door!! And now I live about 15 minutes further away than I did then- as long as I actually make it to the hospital- while I of course hope my personal doctor will be there- I will be content with whomever is on call as long as they help GET THE BABY OUT!! lol.,...
Haha, my doc didn't make either of my delivers (they were fast):
http://www.cafemom.com/dailybuzz/pregnancy/2789/Birth_Stories_Tonyas_Super_Fast_Delivery
My doc wasn't on call the day Abby was born, her dad (another OB/GYN) delivered her. He actually walked in, took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves and caught her :)
When my doc missed Sarah's birthday, the midwife from the hospital delivered her. My doc was getting her haircut and by time she called the hospital back 10 minutes after the page, Sarah was out :)
In my province, it's common practice for your OB not to be called in to deliver. Your baby is delivered by the OB on call at the time. My first baby was delivered by the OB on call- quite honestly by the time he was born I couldn't have cared less if he was delivered by the janitor, I just wanted him OUT! With my next two kids my doctor was my GP (who happens to do uncomplicated deliveries) and I was excited that she would actually be attending my births. Turned out that my second child was just too quick for her- I was at the hospital less than an hour before delivering. She was going to be a nurse delivery because the OB on call was busy, but one of the nurses found a resident wandering the hallway to come in and deliver the baby instead. I have no clue who she was, all I know is that she was some sort of 'doctor in training.' Never even found out her name! With my third baby, my GP did get there on time. It was kind of nice to have her there for the delivery. Third time is a charm, apparently!
My doc was out of town when I delievered my daughter. She had left that morning and was to be back the following wed night and I was to be induced that friday. Because of this I was going to have an appointment with another doctor on Tuesday, this doctor happened to be the one who delivered my DD. Of course I went into labor a week early. The had already given me staydall (sp?) when the doctor came in and asked if we'd met yet and I told her no I wasn't going to meet her till Tuesday. She still giggles about that when I'm at their office.
In the end I wasn't upset or freaked out because my doc wasn't there, but I had known ahead of time that my doc was going to be out of town those days.
Michele, are you meeting with your doula's back-up/partner, too?
I think you should a few times before delivery. I think it's more important than the back-up OBs because the doula will be spending a lot more time with you.
Remember that your doula will help you nd your husband in the event that you should "draw a blank" in delivery. It's her job to keep you both strong and comfy! ;-)
And for my own deliveries~ I felt well-aquinted with the whole group, and prepared enough to have an unassisted delivery if necessary. I knew that *I* deliver my babies~ others are there to watch! ;-)
having things written down for emergency purposes for when you dont know what to say or think is always best in all situations, especially birth. i always encourage everyone i know to go through with it, it may "Take time and effort" but its worth it!
Agreed -- writing things down is key. Doing that. Also, not sure if we are meeting back up doula. My doula is so excited for my delivery of twins, I don't think anything will allow her to miss it. But could be a good idea to set up meeting just in case.
We are having a home birth with this child, we are preparing for if the baby come faster then the midwife does (which is a big possibility because I progress fast). Even if we weren't having a home birth, we would be preparing for just in case the baby was born before we made it to the hospital.
It is definitely important to have things written down. I know I definitely wasn't in the best state of mind during everything. I was initally bummed that it wasn't my OB who was going to deliver, but after 2 1/2 hours of pushing, I didn't care who was helping me! :)