It should almost go without saying that having a baby is one of the most terrifying and exciting times of our lives. There is a tremendous amount of happy anxiety to be had. On one hand we’re excited to bring a new life into the world and on the other hand that slight fear of not knowing what to expect can be overwhelming. Will my birth plan be executed correctly? Will I receive the best care possible if something goes awry? Will I receive breastfeeding assistance? Will I receive the help I need before, during and after having my baby? And so, so, so much more. I have four children ages 10, 6, 4 and 2 years old. I have had three of those children at a Kaiser Permanente hospital. All of my children were born via cesarean section. I have shared many aspects of Kaiser Permanente care with you over the last several months and today I will be sharing my personal birth experiences and post care at Kaiser Permanente with you. I am a Kaiser Permanente #ThriveAmbassador, all opinions are my own.
Birth By C-Section
Although my firstborn was born by cesarean section I attempted a natural birth for my second child. Kaiser Permanente was more than willing to help me achieve my goal with the stipulation that I go into labor naturally. During my prenatal appointments, my Kaiser Permanente OBGYN and I discussed in length the possibilities of both a natural childbirth and a surgical birth. A week after my due date had passed I had my second child by cesarean section. Thankfully, due to the dedicated care of my OBGYN I was neither disappointed or worried. I was confident that I was in good care.
Circa 2012
My Kaiser Permanente C-Section Experiences
With both my third and fourth children I had the privilege of planned surgical births. That makes it surprisingly easy to arrange childcare! Having a planned C-section was a very calming experience for me. Although not being able to eat or drink anything on the day of the planned C-section as a pregnant woman may have been the most difficult aspect (haha). On the day of the planned C-sections my husband and I drove to the hospital, checked into labor and delivery and waited for a room. There I would change into a hospital gown, be hooked up to IVs and wait until it was my turn. I even got to walk myself into the surgery room, that was fun for me. Any surgery is kinda scary, but thankfully a C-section leaves the patient with a pretty great parting gift – a baby!
After the babies were born I was immediately able to see them, kiss their cheeks and try and figure out if they looked more like me or their dad. A nurse took a picture for us and the babies were weighed and measured and cleaned up a little before I got to snuggle them a little bit more. Immediately after the surgery room, we were taken to a recovery room. In the recovery room my babies were put on my chest for skin-to-skin bonding and breastfeeding – yes immediate breastfeeding!
After the recovery room my babies and I would be transported to our hospital room. There we would stay for a few days while the kind Kaiser Permanente nurses would care for us. We received visits from the lactation consultant, nurses, my OBGYN, and the babies pediatrician. It was comforting to be surrounded by professionals and to receive that much undivided attention and care despite being totally sleep deprived. Thankfully, my husband and mom were able to take turns staying with me to help me care for the baby (really so I could sleep).
The Kaiser Permanente Baby Friendly Initiative
Kaiser Permanente cares deeply about their patients personal experience and they are strong advocates for families. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Dubyak about Kaiser Permanente’s baby friendly initiative. Dr. Dubyak has been practicing medicine in obstetrics and gynecology since 2004. She was extremely warm, friendly and knowledgeable about all things baby.
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program that was launched by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund in 1991 to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother baby bonding.
Kaiser Permanente Orange County is an advocate for positive family birth experiences. Dr. Dubyak accentuated the point that Kaiser Permanente Orange County really translates the concept of a family friendly/baby friendly environment into action. She noted that the entire Kaiser Permanente staff from the greeter at the door, to the nurses, midwives, doctors and everyone on staff is on the same page to make Kaiser Permanente Orange County a culturally family oriented facility.
The Kaiser Permanente Orange County baby friendly initiative advocates for immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and child. Breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth is also of high importance. Kaiser Permanente Orange County is also beginning to delay weight and bathing to allow more family bonding time. For surgical births like mine, Kaiser Permanente uses skin closures tapes instead of staples, therefore eliminating the need for another appointment to remove staples shortly after giving birth. This allows for a better post op experience for moms like me. This family friendly environment creates a better experience for Kaiser Permanente moms and families.
I have nothing but the highest accolades for Kaiser Permanente, thanks to them I have had four happy, healthy, uncomplicated births! Log on now to learn more about Kaiser Permanente Orange County and the Kaiser Permanente baby friendly initiative.
Circa 2010
