[blparent] thanks for the advice

Anjelina cruz.anjelina at mchsi.com
Wed Jan 7 06:19:36 UTC 2009 

Definitely sounds like a plan. This little bundle of joy can't come soon
enough.
-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Veronica Smith
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 10:55 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] thanks for the advice

Having a baby is scarey.  i worried about all of these things too and I met
the Dr that was delivering my baby before hand.  Relax and enjoy the moment
instead of worrying about what might or might not happen.  Go with the flow.

smile and we'll be praying for you and your baby, okay? Veronica
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anjelina" <cruz.anjelina at mchsi.com>
To: "'NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List'" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 2:27 PM
Subject: Re: [blparent] thanks for the advice


> Maybe I'm worrying for nothing.
> Thanks for your suggestions and advice.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
> On Behalf Of Dena Wainwright
> Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 1:04 PM
> To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [blparent] (no subject)
>
> One thing I would suggest, particularly if you don't know who will be 
> delivering your baby, is to put together a birth plan and bring it 
> with you to the hospital. our birth plan was a page long, and 
> contained information about our preferences regarding the labor, 
> delivery, and post-natal care for me and the baby. some of the things 
> we included were that we wanted my husband to be given the option to 
> cut the cord, that one of us needed to be present when they did 
> anything to the baby, that we planned to breastfeed (because sometimes 
> they will offer a baby formula if they don't know this), etc. we also 
> put in some very specific highlights about my medical history--such as 
> the fact that I cannot have epidurals. the birth plan will clearly 
> express your wishes, which will be especially important if you are 
> unable to make decisions on your own for whatever reason. also, things 
> can change dramatically when you are in labor--pain is definitely a 
> strange animal.
>
> another thing I would suggest is that you bring a coach or doulah into 
> the delivery room with you. this person will be a constent, no matter 
> who performs the delivery, and he or she can advocate on your behalf.
>
> I also agree with what has already been said regarding visiting your 
> hospital ahead of time to get a feel for the facilities and the staff. 
> for instance, do they promote rooming in, do they promote moving 
> around during labor, what is their c-section rate, etc.
>
> I also agree that emphasizing your blindness will often make other 
> people focus on it. our birth plan did not say anything about my
blindness.
>
> I had an absolutely phenominal hospital experience. not a single 
> person questioned my ability to care for Elise, and no one made any 
> issue of my asking to be shown how to do things. even when I sent 
> Jason home for the night to get some good sleep, no one freaked out 
> about "the sighted parent"
> leaving me alone with our newborn. no one incinuated that I wouldn't 
> be able to breastfeed, or treated me any differently because of my 
> blindness. the only thing they did to accommodate me was that they had 
> each nurse introduce the nurse for the upcoming shift to me when she 
> left for the day, so I would know that the person coming into my room 
> was a hospital employee.
>
> the other amazing thing they did, is that the midwife I had seen 
> throughout my pregnancy rearranged her schedule so she could be there 
> for our birth, so I would feel as secure as possible. the staff was 
> incredible at describing everything they were doing to me and to the 
> baby. I felt absolutely comfortable and relaxed--totally in control of 
> the whole process.
>
> finally, questions about support are standard. a lot of the reason why 
> they are asked, is that professionals want to know what sort of 
> environment the baby will be coming home to, and they also want to 
> make sure a new mother isn't isolated (making her more vulnerable to 
> post-natal depression).
>
> hope some of this helps.
>
> Dena
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jo Elizabeth Pinto" <jopinto at pcdesk.net>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 10:10 AM
> Subject: Re: [blparent] (no subject)
>
>
>> Hi, Angelina.  If you haven't done so, consider taking a childbirth 
>> class at the hospital where you will be delivering.  This will not 
>> only give you
>
>> an idea of what to expect, but it will also start to get you 
>> acquainted with some of the nurses and staff.  That way, your 
>> blindness won't be encountered for the first time when you are 
>> admitted for labor and delivery.  Also, don't assume every question 
>> about your support system at home is getting asked just because of 
>> your blindness.  When a woman has a baby, especially if she is alone, 
>> she needs help--physically and emotionally--when she goes home, blind 
>> or not.  If you don't have family nearby, lean on your friends. Be 
>> specific in what you need.  People want to help, but they say, "Call 
>> me if you need anything."  Then you don't know what to ask for, or 
>> when to call.  Suggest that your friends could drop over for short 
>> visits, maybe bring prepared or frozen meals.  But anyway, don't 
>> assume the doctors or nurses are asking you about your support system 
>> because of your blindness. I had a few ask me if I would have help at
home, I just said yes, and that was the end of the matter.
>>
>> Good luck,
>> Jo Elizabeth
>>
>> It is easy--terribly easy--to shake a man's faith in himself. To take 
>> advantage of that to break a man's spirit is devil's work. Take care 
>> of what you are doing. Take care.--George Bernard Shaw in "Candide"
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Anjelina" <cruz.anjelina at mchsi.com>
>> To: "'NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List'" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 12:25 AM
>> Subject: [blparent] (no subject)
>>
>>
>>> Hi there list,
>>> I'm due next month and was wondering did you take any additional 
>>> steps for dealing with people that might be uncomfortable with 
>>> blindness? The doctor I've been seeing me throughout my pregnancy 
>>> will not be delivering so I was looking for any suggestions for 
>>> dealing with a new hospital on such short notice.
>>> Hope that makes sense.
>>
>>
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