[blparent] New Parent Introduction

[Bernadetta Pracon]

Hi tracy
How exciting!! Congratulations on your pregnancy and of course, welcome 
to the list. My name is Bernadetta and I am a mommy of a little guy who 
just turned seven months today. Do you know what you're having?
It looks like you're covering all your bases during your pregnancy and 
that you're becoming well aware of what to expect both during birth and 
afterword. Please feel free to come to this list with any concerns or 
questions you might have, or just to share and update us. We have a 
diverse bunch of parents here, with all kinds of oppinions and 
parenting styles, and everyone is always eager to help.
I had a guide dog, Kipp for years, but I ended up having to retire him 
during my pregnancy due to the fact that he developed oral cancer. He 
still lives with us, so I understand where you're coming from regarding 
the introduction of your baby to your dog. We also have my boyfriend's 
dog (my boyfriend and I are both totally blind) who is still working. 
We chose not to bring either dog to the hospital because we decided it 
would be too chaotic an environment for everyone. I know you'd think it 
might be great to bring yorr pup into the delivery room with you to 
witness your little one's birth, but I'm pretty confident that your dog 
would rather not be there  herself. (smile). The doctors and nurses 
might also become a little flustered, and there's no need to add any 
more frustration into an already high-energy situation. You also have 
to consider the possibility in which you might have to have a CSection. 
I say this because I was ademant about giving birth naturally, but I 
ended up having to undergo an emergency CSection, because I wasn't 
dialated enough to give birth and my son's heart rate  was decreasing. 
Ultimately, it's best to give birth naturally, but when it comes to the 
safe delivery of your child, you throw all the ideals aside and do what 
a good mom does: You go for what's best for your little one.
In any event, I doubt they'd let you bring your guide into the 
opperating room, regardless of the discrimination laws. Doctors are 
firm on keeping things steril--They usually want one person, and one 
person only with you in the opperating room, and they wouldn't have 
much of a problem firmly insisting that your dog cannot be there. And 
with an impending CSection that has to happen in  as short a time as 
possible in some situations, it's really best not to argue.
I read in another email that you have a birthing plan set up. Birthing 
plans are great--they're a great precaution but please dont' be 
disappointed if things don't go according to your plan. I had one of 
those too, and everything that could go differently did. I developed 
preeclampsia the last week of my pregnancy and had to be induced, and 
while I wanted to give birth naturally, as I said, that just couldn't happen.
You shouldn't have an issue with people doubting yrou abilities as a 
blind parent as long as you're patient with answering questions as well 
as asking them. You're a new parent, so don't hesitate to ask for help 
from Maternity ward nurses and doctors alike--They would rather you 
seek a little help here and there instead of playing the "I'm blind but 
very very independent" card. That's what makes people nervous, when a 
person insists on no help at all. Because blind or sighted, a new 
parent needs some help at least. You might run into a lemon here and 
there--For us, it was a social worker who was rude, ignorant and 
assumed things rather than educating herself. She asked us some 
questions about bathing, changing and feeding our child, as well as how 
we'd know if we were dealing with a sick baby--her tone made us a bit 
nervous, but ultimately, there were people who were confident in our 
abilities, who vouched for our becoming capable new parents.
Besides, you mentioned that your fiance is sighted, so that should 
relieve some of the ignorant ones who assume that you as a blind mom 
won't be able to handle your child. That's not right, but it's probable 
in some cases--You don't have to prove as much to the skeptics.
All in all, have fun during your pregnancy, enjoy it as much as 
possible, and take it easy. Make sure to rest as much as you can--make 
it into a vacation, because once Baby comes, it's a nonstop marathon of 
changing, feeding and little snags of restless sleep here and there.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Bernadetta