Preparing The Hospital Bag & Birth Plan
I'm almost 35 weeks pregnant and I spent the day packing up my hospital bag in preparation for my son's big debut to this world. It's been a roller coaster ride this round of pregnancy.
Just to give you a little back story...
I was put on bed rest due to cramping and spotting during the first trimester. I even had to take Duphaston up to the second trimester. It was tough for me to just "relax" or manage my businesses at home since I'm a very active person (active in the sense that, I'm always on the go -- not active as in I exercise... Well, I do "exercise" - I always drive then run from one meeting to another... and I prefer to meet people face to face).
Come third trimester, I got diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. My sugar level isn't crazy high, I could easily manage this by dieting but I did have to start monitoring using a glucometer (4 pricks a day). I'll share more on this in a separate post.
Anyway, here is my Hospital Bag Checklist. This is almost the same as what I made 3 years ago but I added one little, but important thing (",)
Kara has been very excited to become a big sister but having a new baby around can be tough on older siblings, especially kids under 5 years old who are used to having lots of attention from their parents (especially in Kara's case because she is not just our only child, she is also the ONLY grandchild and great grandchild in the family).
It will help to make her - the big sister - feel important, too, so we're bringing a special sibling gift, with a little note saying it's from her baby brother.
I also advised everyone to congratulate Kara the first time she meets baby Alejandro.
I also made a birth plan. Given the sensitivity of my pregnancy, andd are preparing for a Cesarean Delivery. Here is what I indicated and this will be distributed to the birthing team on my 37th week:
BIRTHING PLAN FOR [baby's name]
Name of patient: Karen Pacia
CS Schedule: [date and time]
Obstetrician: [OB-Gyne's name]
Hospital: [name and complete address]
Our priority is a healthy mother and a healthy baby. We are open to making informed decisions about medical means necessary to achieve our priority.
Principles:
As this is elective CS, we wish to remain active and informed about all details of the birthing process.
I would like my husband to be with me at all times. He is a certified Birthing Coach as well.
I would like to have immediate contact with my baby if he is in good condition, and have him latch on me as soon as possible.
I prefer a bikini-cut.
Since this is a special event in our lives, we hope that you would be flexible enough to accommodate our requests.
We are very confident that with Dra. _____'s expertise as well as the help and encouragement from the nurses and the personnel that comprise the birthing team, and most especially with the grace of God, we would be able to push through as planned.
Sincerely,
Karen Pacia
There you go, I'm almost at the finish line and I will surely be sharing how we Montessori from the start.
