When we first found out we were expecting a baby, we had conversations with many different people about how they did things. From the information I gathered, many friends suggested having a midwife. It seemed like the right idea. a)it was covered by medical, b)it seemed like over and above the home/personal care you would get from just having a doctor c)my own doctor (who doesn't deliver babies) seemed gung-ho on the idea.
So the hunt began. (I think there is a post somewhere earlier here perhaps) Well, the long and short of it, I think we ended up with midwife or team of midwives/office that were going through a transition. Something felt almost too relaxed about each visit. For first time parents, I found that not many of the conversations were initiated by them and they felt very disorganized to say the least. I was called by the wrong name several times and a couple of appointments were re-arranged. There was just a general feeling of unsettledness. (I realize there are many great midwives out there - so this is no reflection on the profession) The bottom line - we just didn't feel as though they were really taking care of us. There were three midwives at this particular office and we had only met one up until asking if we should meet the others. The idea is if one isn't available - the others take care of you. We realized that the only other midwife we had met was leaving possible before our baby was due, another had left for a term in Africa, and a young, less experienced midwife showed up on the scene (there was even one midwife that came into our first meeting that I never saw again...I don't even know if she's still a part of that office?) I really wanted some guidance from someone with experience and it just wasn't heading that direction. Something just felt off kilter.
This is were we were in luck. The prenatal classes we signed up for through Lower Mainland Child Birthing Society were taught by two fabulous teachers (both of whom were Doulas) and we ended up asking for some advice from one of them - Aleksandra. We quickly decided that we needed to hire a doula. Now, my perception of what a doula up until this point was that they were more some esoteric, hippy-like cheerleader...haha. (of course this isn't based on any fact!) But I quickly realized that it was the support we were looking for all along. We now have switched care to one of the best obstetricians and we have the support of Aleksandra, who we feel so great about involving in our adventure into parenthood. We knew from taking classes with her that we would feel so comfortable and supported by having her around and she's already done more for us in one meeting and a phone call than we feel like we've experienced the whole way through.
Three cheers for doulas we say! And thank you Aleksandra for being there for us.
Happily heading into the homestretch
Bill & Jennifer
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
The Shower showdown
On the weekend of May 24/25, I had THREE showers to go to. Well, one of them, unbeknownst to me was a shower - I thought it was just a party for my tap class end of year.
SATURDAY MAY 24th - I went to Centro Grill downstairs of Harbour Dance Centre and had a great dinner with Moe, Pam, Danielle, Teryl, Laura, Miyuki, Sabine and Christine. Moe was the social convener (which she does SO well...you should get into party planning Moe!)It was so nice to hang out with the people I have spent so much time at the studio with. I have known Pam and Danielle for over TWENTY years!!!!!!!!!! Yikes. We had a fabulous time catching up and they got me wonderful gifts.
Thank you so much to all of you for the wonderful gifts and taking the time to share a night with me.
SUNDAY MAY 25th
The Urban Tap Squad shower - hosted by Amy Burns and insanely delicious cake made by her mother Anita. Keri, Miyuki, Amy & I.
It was so fun to catch up with you three as it's been a while since we have tapped together. It really made me miss you all and our fun times.
Amy is the best host. There was incredible food and her place always feels so comfy and home-like. (even though EVERY TIME we go out there - Miyuki and I get COMPLETELY LOST....and we did again this time....what an adventure - thanks for driving Miyuki...I think we wasted a whole 1/4 tank of gas driving in circles..hahahah.
My tap dance buddies - thank you so much. I love you all. (see the photos)
SUNDAY MAY 25th - later that day.....
Bill and I get ready to go to (what I thought was) a tap party at Kim's house. In retrospect, Bill (who is generally comfortable scrambling around late) was anxious to get there on time. (should have clued in) He was driving over curbs and rushing me...it was odd. I didn't notice at the time.
We arrive to Kim's house (which is stunning by the way) There is a note on the door saying "year end tap party" but I can hear them in the back yard. So rather than traipse through the house, I think we should just head around to the back yard. Well, I surprised them as well!!! They were expecting me to go through the house.
The first person I saw was Bill's sister, Faye. I said "what's Faye doing here?" Just as I turn to see several other faces that are not associated particularly with the tap class. I am surprised........and THEN I turn to see MY DAD walking through the back gate.....WHAT THE?????????? and then I realize they are hiding my mother over to the other side. I was so overwhelmed that I started to cry and couldn't really get it together for the rest of the afternoon. Most of my tap students and several of our good friends were all there. It felt like an out of body experience! There was a huge pile of gifts for me to open, tons of food and all of these people I love so much STARING at me! hahahahhahah I didn't know what to do first. But of course, in true Bishop style - CRY. What a big boob. You'll note from most of the photos that I look like I'm crying in almost all of them.
Thank you to you all for being such wonderful people in my life, to my mom and dad for driving all the way down and indulging these nutty people and me. Now you know why you don't have to worry about me....I have all of these people around me that are so kind and caring.
Thanks to Kim for hosting this at your house and Barb for being my personal assistant throughout the gift opening....and again to ALL OF YOU for making such an incredible day for me.
See the photos (thank you to Tomina & Rose for taking so many great pictures!)
WE ARRIVE AND ARE SHOCKED:
Jennifer
SATURDAY MAY 24th - I went to Centro Grill downstairs of Harbour Dance Centre and had a great dinner with Moe, Pam, Danielle, Teryl, Laura, Miyuki, Sabine and Christine. Moe was the social convener (which she does SO well...you should get into party planning Moe!)It was so nice to hang out with the people I have spent so much time at the studio with. I have known Pam and Danielle for over TWENTY years!!!!!!!!!! Yikes. We had a fabulous time catching up and they got me wonderful gifts.
Thank you so much to all of you for the wonderful gifts and taking the time to share a night with me.
SUNDAY MAY 25th
The Urban Tap Squad shower - hosted by Amy Burns and insanely delicious cake made by her mother Anita. Keri, Miyuki, Amy & I.
It was so fun to catch up with you three as it's been a while since we have tapped together. It really made me miss you all and our fun times.
Amy is the best host. There was incredible food and her place always feels so comfy and home-like. (even though EVERY TIME we go out there - Miyuki and I get COMPLETELY LOST....and we did again this time....what an adventure - thanks for driving Miyuki...I think we wasted a whole 1/4 tank of gas driving in circles..hahahah.
My tap dance buddies - thank you so much. I love you all. (see the photos)
SUNDAY MAY 25th - later that day.....
Bill and I get ready to go to (what I thought was) a tap party at Kim's house. In retrospect, Bill (who is generally comfortable scrambling around late) was anxious to get there on time. (should have clued in) He was driving over curbs and rushing me...it was odd. I didn't notice at the time.
We arrive to Kim's house (which is stunning by the way) There is a note on the door saying "year end tap party" but I can hear them in the back yard. So rather than traipse through the house, I think we should just head around to the back yard. Well, I surprised them as well!!! They were expecting me to go through the house.
The first person I saw was Bill's sister, Faye. I said "what's Faye doing here?" Just as I turn to see several other faces that are not associated particularly with the tap class. I am surprised........and THEN I turn to see MY DAD walking through the back gate.....WHAT THE?????????? and then I realize they are hiding my mother over to the other side. I was so overwhelmed that I started to cry and couldn't really get it together for the rest of the afternoon. Most of my tap students and several of our good friends were all there. It felt like an out of body experience! There was a huge pile of gifts for me to open, tons of food and all of these people I love so much STARING at me! hahahahhahah I didn't know what to do first. But of course, in true Bishop style - CRY. What a big boob. You'll note from most of the photos that I look like I'm crying in almost all of them.
Thank you to you all for being such wonderful people in my life, to my mom and dad for driving all the way down and indulging these nutty people and me. Now you know why you don't have to worry about me....I have all of these people around me that are so kind and caring.
Thanks to Kim for hosting this at your house and Barb for being my personal assistant throughout the gift opening....and again to ALL OF YOU for making such an incredible day for me.
See the photos (thank you to Tomina & Rose for taking so many great pictures!)
WE ARRIVE AND ARE SHOCKED:
Jennifer
Lazy Blogger
I can't really use the pregnancy as an excuse....or wait? Maybe I can? Anyways, long overdue on an entry here. Let's summarize:
PRENATAL: we are done our prenatal classes. They were incredible and we met some new friends that are all going to be parents at the same time as us. (incidentally, another couple has had their baby now too - Congrats to Manola, Francisco and new baby Ramona!) The teachers were so great that we even hired one of them (Aleksandra) to be our Doula. She is fantastic and will be just the support we need in this process.
MIDWIFE: This case was a little disappointing. Somehow didn't feel very taken care of and because I have nothing to compare to, come out a little perplexed. Long and short - we have opted to go with a highly recommended obstetrician who has already clarified some of the muddiness we were experiencing along the way here. Much due to too many different people at BC Women's Hospital and yeah - that EMMA girl (see previous posts) Still really don't understand the process we got dragged through. If one more person quoted me a different due date - I thought I might scream. It's amazing how many different interpretations we got of one situation over the course of a few months. It began to feel like a sitcom. I'm sure if we recorded it, it would prove for some really funny listening. Thank God Bill came with me to all of my appointments - otherwise I would have felt insane with all the conflicting information. It just goes to confirm how pro-active we all need to be in our own health care.
All is great. Not long now - we are on a solid track heading towards meeting our new baby. This weekend we went to Whistler to get away for a few days ( I had mild panic for a moment thinking "I could go into labour up here?") We had a fabulous dinner at the Bearfoot Bistro and stayed at The Westin. The last hurrah so to speak.
I have all of my new little baby things washed and put away on the shelf in their little baskets.(I am my mother's daughter after all!) Along with the cloth diapers (I know there are some of you that are dying to hear me go through with the cloth diaper thing.....you'll hear about it!) I have acquired yet MORE baby things from my good friend Jennifer. (Thanks JC!) I met with her and her son Cian at Little Nest, this amazing restaurant right by us designed for parents and little ones.
We have fabulous new patio furniture that my mom bought me for my birthday that I look forward to using this summer (of course it would have to actually get WARM!)
I think that sums up most of what's happening up to today? See the next post for a long overdue post about the insane baby shower my wacky tap students set up for me (you guys are crazy!)
Jennifer
PRENATAL: we are done our prenatal classes. They were incredible and we met some new friends that are all going to be parents at the same time as us. (incidentally, another couple has had their baby now too - Congrats to Manola, Francisco and new baby Ramona!) The teachers were so great that we even hired one of them (Aleksandra) to be our Doula. She is fantastic and will be just the support we need in this process.
MIDWIFE: This case was a little disappointing. Somehow didn't feel very taken care of and because I have nothing to compare to, come out a little perplexed. Long and short - we have opted to go with a highly recommended obstetrician who has already clarified some of the muddiness we were experiencing along the way here. Much due to too many different people at BC Women's Hospital and yeah - that EMMA girl (see previous posts) Still really don't understand the process we got dragged through. If one more person quoted me a different due date - I thought I might scream. It's amazing how many different interpretations we got of one situation over the course of a few months. It began to feel like a sitcom. I'm sure if we recorded it, it would prove for some really funny listening. Thank God Bill came with me to all of my appointments - otherwise I would have felt insane with all the conflicting information. It just goes to confirm how pro-active we all need to be in our own health care.
All is great. Not long now - we are on a solid track heading towards meeting our new baby. This weekend we went to Whistler to get away for a few days ( I had mild panic for a moment thinking "I could go into labour up here?") We had a fabulous dinner at the Bearfoot Bistro and stayed at The Westin. The last hurrah so to speak.
I have all of my new little baby things washed and put away on the shelf in their little baskets.(I am my mother's daughter after all!) Along with the cloth diapers (I know there are some of you that are dying to hear me go through with the cloth diaper thing.....you'll hear about it!) I have acquired yet MORE baby things from my good friend Jennifer. (Thanks JC!) I met with her and her son Cian at Little Nest, this amazing restaurant right by us designed for parents and little ones.
We have fabulous new patio furniture that my mom bought me for my birthday that I look forward to using this summer (of course it would have to actually get WARM!)
I think that sums up most of what's happening up to today? See the next post for a long overdue post about the insane baby shower my wacky tap students set up for me (you guys are crazy!)
Jennifer
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