July 19, 2006

Tips

Seeing as how I've been so far behind in preparing for most of my pregnancy (you know, the parts that have already passed), I decided to do a little planning ahead for labor and delivery. Not much, mind you, but I thought I'd read about it. When you talk to actual women who have been through this process, they all have different stories, so it's hard to know exactly what to expect.

To that end, I cruised over to the Mayo Clinic's site and checked out what they had to say. They seem to have a decent grasp on medicine these days (which I would know, since I'm obviously the expert. I may not have an M.D. but I feel like an expert on medicine, having logged so much time in medical facilities lately).

I found this article on labor, and the signs to look for if you want to know if you're actually in it. After feeling all of the flipping and flopping going around in my stomach these past few weeks, I can see how you might not know if it was time to head to the hospital or not. However, I don't know how helpful the article really is.

I love the following quote:

"You might wake up one morning feeling energetic, raring to attack dust bunnies under the couch, set up the crib and arrange your baby's outfits according to color. This urge to clean and organize is commonly known as nesting."

It's also known as dementia. There must be an entry somewhere in the DSM IV that covers this type of behavior. Have I felt like cleaning more since I've become pregnant? Yes. Is that because I'm pregnant? No, it's because we're slobs and I can't stand looking at the funk ANY MORE. Should I get the urge to clean any more than I normally do, I don't think it's a sign I'm about to go into a labor. It's a sign our apartment is about to be condemned.

Let's move on, shall we?

"If your water breaks at home . . . consult your doctor right away. . . In the meantime, don't do anything that could introduce bacteria into your vagina. Sex is not a good idea."

This was written by a man. If you don't believe me, take a poll. Pick up the phone and ask any woman who has previously given birth (at least, any woman who won't slap you for asking these questions) whether she was dying to get it on right after her water broke. If you find someone who says they're they one, let me know, because I want to meet the woman who realizes, "Wow, the amniotic sac in my body which is holding my baby in place has just broken. I think, rather than running to the hospital, I'll get naked and do the very thing that got me pregnant in the first place."

Advice like this really makes me wonder about the Mayo Clinic.

Posted by Kitty at July 19, 2006 07:32 PM

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