This was an interesting and intense appointment. It included vitals as normal including urinalysis, also ECG and pelvic examination. We had our first non-stress test, which was me sat in a comfy armchair for 20 minutes of fetal heart monitoring. It was relaxing and reassuring to just sit there and listen to the baby’s heart beat, also so interesting to watch the rate change and wonder what was the cause. The doctor’s examination confirmed our thoughts that the baby has yet to turn, seems to be lying transverse across the middle of my belly. Cesarean was brought up again. After a bit of conversation we were able to get across we do not intend to plan a cesarean and would like to give this little one as much chance as possible to turn. If we get to a point that labour has begun and there is no sign of baby moving into the right position we will of course take the safest route to have a healthy baby and mum, which here in China is a cesarean. The doctor seemed agreeable to this.
It all got interesting when we began to discuss the birth plan. The hospital provides a booklet with different options (written in both English and Chinese) regarding your time in the hospital through the birth. The sections include:
Environment (Accompaniment/During labor/Mobility and positioning/pain relief) Labour (Episiotomy/Placenta/Patient transport from the delivery room to the patients room)
Newborn Care (Immediately after delivery/Umbilical cord/Newborn’s vernix)
Cesarean Section Delivery (Cesarean Section Planning/Anesthesia during the cesarean section/ Medication after the cesarean section/Company during the cesarean section)
Postpartum (Breastfeeding/Nursing interventions and newborn care/Meals/Visitors.
Within each section there are several options to choose from and an area for remarks. Mr T and I had spent considerable time going through it, as well as going through it with our doula. We handed it to the doctor, and she slipped it into the file and continued on with the rest of the appointment, from that moment we knew we had a bit of a battle ahead of us. We had to ask to go through it, and each time after we discussed a point, she began to close it up to put it away, whilst I had to say, next point please.
From the very first point, accompaniment, there was a problem. I had selected partner and friend (doula), and was told only one person is allowed. I found this frustrating, as we have been very clear since we started visiting the hospital (34 weeks ago) that we had a doula and she would be attending the birth with us, which up until today had not been an issue. The long discussion over the whole birth plan ended with a very red faced mama-to-be and a list of things that the doctor would be applying to get approval for. We will have to wait and see what types of accommodations the hospital will be able to make at our next appointment.
As you may know from previous posts we are looking to have a natural birth. I believe that a woman’s body is made to give birth and knows exactly what to do. I would like all opportunities to allow my body to do what it needs to do to birth this baby. I have read many positive natural birth stories and have the support of a doula that has given birth naturally and attended many natural births. If I were giving birth in America or the UK I would be opting for a home birth or going to a birth center. (I of course will accept interventions when medically necessary to ensure baby and myself stay safe.)
That being said we know we may face some challenges delivering in a hospital, in China. But we remain hopeful that with good communication and clear information we will have a happy healthy baby before we know it.
-Mrs T
Turners Abroad 