Birth plans... they're the must-have accessory for moms-to-be these days. What you want to happen, what you don't want to happen, when, how, etc.

I don't have a birth plan per se, if we're talking about a typed-out list of bullet points. It's a bit early for that yet, plus I am not sure if it will make sense for my situation. Mexicans already thing gringos are anal retentive about everything, so I can just imagine their reaction when I whip out my list in the middle of labor. At the same time, it's important to me that someone be aware of my wishes, so I am hoping to find a doula sometime soon. I am hoping between the doula and Francisco, I will have people there reminding me of my intentions — and also just supporting me in a way I don't expect from medical professionals.

I will be having my baby in a hospital — the very nice private hospital where pretty much all the doctors I've ever been to practice. I hear a lot about cozy birth centers in the U.S., some of them right in the hospital, with soft lighting, midwives, birthing tubs, no separate delivery/recovery rooms and all that. I kind of wish I had that option here, but it seems pretty uncommon. There are midwives in Mexico but as far as I know, they do not usually  practice alongside doctors. (If I am wrong, someone please set me straight.) To me, it's important to be in a hospital setting "just in case," plus, I feel very comfortable with my doctor.
 
I think homebirths are great for most people who choose them, but it's just not for me, at least not with my first baby. I mean, I like my 5th-floor walkup (which hopefully we'll be OUT of by winter) and everything, but I have zero desire to give birth here. If something went wrong, they'd have to hoist me out the window! Plus, as someone was pointing out the other day, Mexico is not like the U.S. where you can just call 911 and reasonably hope that an ambulance will swoop in and get you to the delivery room in time to save the day.

I know that having my baby in a hospital might make things a little tougher in terms of avoiding unnecessary interventions. My ideal would be a natural delivery. But, I don't want to eliminate any of my options — if I feel I need an epidural, I'll get one and hopefully won't feel bad about it. My doctor says some people tense up so much in reaction to pain that an epidural can help a lot, but she is also very open to the natural route. The hospital doesn't seem as strict as some I've heard about, either — you can bring food and drinks and music and a birthing ball or whatever you want. There is no set time limit on labor. And she told me I could labor in whatever position I wanted, but that later in the game I would need to stay on the bed. If I want to stand up on the bed, fine.

(I am trying to imagine myself standing on a hospital bed in a gown, screeching and towering over everyone and it's a pretty funny mental image.)