I have had 5 hospital deliveries and was determined to never have another one. Especially after Marcus's delivery in that horrible hospital in Buffalo. I had to use community bathrooms/showers post delivery that I was sure were never cleaned judging by the fact that in the three days I visited it the same bloody band-aid was never removed. I was so anxious to get out of there before I caught something. And even in the clean hospitals I had delivered my girls in WA, I hated the constant rotation of nurses and all their contrary ideas about how I was supposed to be going through labor.
Thus, before becoming pregnant this time we decided that first of all we wouldn't add maternity insurance to our plan. It was an additional $1,000 a month in insurance premiums just to add maternity. So instead of a expensive hospital delivery I was going to see a midwife from a birth center and possibly even give birth in our home. It sounds so New Hampshirish.
I was pretty disappointed at 16 weeks when the midwives from the birth center said that I needed to go to an emergency room rather than be seen at their center. Having no choice I started seeing an Ob/Gyn and of course will be delivering at a hospital. Without any insurance coverage to pay for it. And I've seen expensive specialists and am about to have my 4th ultrasound. Of course I don't have a choice with any of this because we are trying to protect an unborn baby here. I also am very glad that this birth will be in a hospital after all. A rupturing placenta is a bit scary during delivery as it can cause hemorrhaging or an emergency Cesarean birth.
Last week I called the hospital where I will deliver and found out the answer to the question I have been dreading to ask.
How much is this going to cost?
All I can say is it's lucky for me that I opted to have three natural deliveries in the past and know that I can survive a contraction at 10 centimeters dilation solo. It's an extra $3,000 to have any kind of anesthesia and then on top
of that the epidural starts at $500. That's the base hookup fee and buys
you a mere 15 minutes. Each subsequent 15 minutes increment- $125 more. That could add up fast. Now I am pretty much against epidurals after one horrible epidural headache with Caroline, but at the some time it is nice to always have it as a back up, you know?
But that kind of frivolous spending is definitely out of the question. Or at least my birth coach (Brent) will do his very best to talk me out of it no matter how insistent I become during labor. He is thinking about having me sign a pre-birth plan that he can hold me to and supersede any last minute change of plans that I begin insisting on.
So definitely no epidural. Hopefully no $$$C-section$$$$ either. And if we can make it without anyone insisting I need a $3,000 IV in my arm -we will be getting a baby for a real bargain.
Marcus's birth was the fastest yet most painful experience ever and once pregnant again that's all I could think about. (I made Brent promise during and after delivery to NEVER let me do this again.) So what to do?
I am researching hypnobirthing. Who says I can't try something new for #6? I actually am too cheap or stubborn to buy the hypno CD's. I mean it's not like I am new at this, I don't need someone else to teach me, right?
I think I have the basics of it down though. I have been spending a lot of bed rest time focusing on brainwashing my too wise mind with affirmations such as
" Birth is a safe and wonderful experience."
and
"My body knows exactly what it is doing"
or
"The power and and intensity of my contractions cannot be stronger than me because it is me".
So the plan is if I can remain calm and positive I may be able to just have the most beautiful, painless birthing experience yet.
"All I need to do is relax and breathe -nothing else"
Sounds beautiful doesn't it?
12 comments:
Good luck! I had Annie with no epidural and it really wasn't that bad. Of course, I can say that now that it's been a long time! Also, she came really fast. If I knew my next one would be that fast of a labor, I would do it naturally again. You are a pro at having babies and you are one of the strongest, bravest girls I know, so I think you'll do just fine. Plus, with Brent as your birthing coach, who needs an epidural?!
And I totally agree about the hospitals in Buffalo being scary!
How funny! My husband is the one trying to talk me into an epidural. I have had two non-medicated births. Good luck getting out of the IV. You might see if the local library has "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way." You have to take a lot of it with a big grain of salt but the stages of labor stuff was right on an there were some relaxation things also. Keep up the good work. You can do it. Laura
Is that $1000 for your entire family or just you? We have our own insurance and I have to pay maternity insurance, and we don't pay that much. With our insurance (which has terrible coverage) I would only save $180 total on my hospital bill if I didn't get an epidural. I can't believe how much they are trying to charge you.
Too bad we don't live closer...Jason could hook you up with the anesthesia if you needed it! But you can do it Kashann! You are one of the strongest people I know. And your body does know what it is doing!
I miss you Kashann! And I love reading about your NH life. Good luck with #6. No matter what you'll be glad you have him in your arms when it's all over. You make me want 6 kids! (Well, not the bed rest part, just the cute & hard working family part:)
Good luck! I think you will do great. I also think you are hilarious.
It is like my mom says, when it comes down to the end, you are ready to do anything to get that baby out of you. :) I know you have sacrificed a lot for that little boy inside of you and I know that he will bring so much joy to your little family. They all do, don't they.
I read the hypnobirthing stuff and I just could never get into it most of it. some of it was pretty good stuff but some of it was just too much for me. One of the exercises it told me to do was to visualize the birth beforehand imagine my vagina as a giant flower blooming as the baby comes out! Gag. However, if stuff in there works for you, then go for it! You'll be great, and once you get started there isn't any turning back anyway. That baby has to get out somehow. Good Luck!
I did my own hypnobirth with #3. My friend bought the CD's and had the script. She copied the script for me and Jeff and I would go over it as I relaxed in the bathtub. It definitely helped, but that boy still cost us $7,000. We were self-employed, I had to have an epidural (his 10 lb. self was literally yanked out by forceps. I was glad to be drugged or he could've been a c-section), and the hospital staff didn't have the suction machine working, so he aspirated meconium and had to be in Level 2 NICU.
I think you'll be great at natural childbirth, and I agree about the IV! Good luck talking them out of it. Some hospitals make you have one, but others it's not standard procedure.
You are a pro at birthing, though. You'll be fabulous!
PS The hospital will usually give you a generous discount if you pay up front, before leaving the hospital. Good luck with that!
oh kashann!!! good luck, mama! if anyone can do this naturally (and if only to save money), it's YOU. you are the best pioneer mom I know. :)
if you need another book with lots of hippie vibes & "birth is beautiful" affirmations, read "ina may's guide to childbirth" - also, sarah t did the hypnobirthing thing - ask her about it?? love you!!
oh dear I'm dying here.. now is not the time to tell you that THEY PAY YOU $5000 to have a baby in australia (to help with the birth rate/cost of bringing up children/private fees (if you go private, I went public so the money was all mine!...)
you can do it! think of that money lol.
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