Having a baby is more of an emotional experience than physical, though you might debate about that when you are in labor. And at a time like this, nothing matters more than physical and mental comfort. Admittedly, the physical discomfort hits you more obviously as your body adjusts to pregnancy, labor and then motherhood. As such, the best plan might be to ensure you have your birth plan in place and your bags packed. Here are a few things you might want to keep in mind after you make your decision.
Birth plan – do they even make one?
Hospitals in India do not follow birth plans, so if you are particular on having one, do check with your doctor to see if it can be followed. Chances are, however, that in the chaos that comes with the delivery, it will not be followed. So try not to set yourself up for disappointment. There is no birth plan policy as such, so you just might find a doctor who is willing to work with you. Ensure that hospital rules don’t override her decisions.
If you plan to try a birthing ball, walking during labour, a water birth and restricted medical intervention, ensure that it is made very clear and signed off on. Lamaze and birth instructors and doulas are few but you might find a few off the Internet in your city. Midwives are untrained and usually not encouraged in hospitals.
If you have chosen to have your partner be with you during the birth, ensure that it is made clear to all involved so that he is not ousted at the last minute. If you are admitted during rush hour and there is no private birthing room available as per your request, you will just have to share a room until one opens up. If it is a shared ward, your partner might not be able to be with you as there is rarely any privacy and the other women in labor might object.
Government or private hospital?
Government hospitals are usually crowded, chaotic and full of red tape so you might prefer a private hospital. They are more expensive but often cleaner and warmer. They are also more flexible. It is also wise to check with your doctor beforehand and find out which hospitals she practices at before you decide on her. You might be very comfortable with her, but not with the hospital she chooses to deliver at or vice versa.
Countries and hospitals vary in their vaccination requirements and it is best if you find out what you are required to have taken as well as what the child will be required to take. It’s also best to check with a few other doctors so that you know you are being given the correct information.
Do run through the list of facilities available in case you choose a small maternity home for its warmth and comfort. In the unfortunate event that you or the child need emergency care, they should have a tie up with a well equipped hospital for an immediate and smooth transfer.
Also find out if they have English speaking nurses or at least a matron in case you do not speak or understand the language. It will not be the best of times to have to act out your requirements.
Also ensure that the hospital is flexible. They might insist on you bathing immediately after the delivery whereas you might just want to sleep. They might insist on not bathing the child till the cord drops while you might want it done. They might insist on you feeding the child before the milk comes in while you want them to give a bottle so that you get a break after a long and arduous labor. No matter what it is, ensure that you make yourself clear before the birth because afterwards you will be too tired to assert yourself.
Your gynecologist – are you comfortable with her?
This is perhaps the most important point. Your gynecologist might be the most populate one in the city but if she is wildly popular you might consider someone else. You do not want her delivering a baby across the city at another hospital just when you are due to deliver. Also some doctors have a reputation for scheduled and unnecessary medical intervention. If she does not make you feel at ease and keep you informed at every step, it is never too late to take a second opinion.
Some hospitals insist that the doctor on duty delivers your baby instead of informing your doctor and that is something you might want to check on. If you are only comfortable delivering with the doctor who has seen you through the last 9 months, ensure that you have her personal cell phone number and that she is accessible 24x7. That way even if the hospital does not inform her when you go into labour, you can do so yourself.
Convenience of hospital and traffic etc
Traffic is a major problem in most metros now and babies do choose the most inconvenient hours to be born at. If you get stuck in rush hour you might find yourself delivering in the proverbial back seat so choose wisely and keep to a hospital that is close to your home. In case you are unable to do that, it might be wise to move in with a friend who is closer to the hospital and with whom you are comfortable.
Legalities and formalities
Your baby might need a passport and other papers filed for immediately. In that case find out how the hospital files and registers births and what papers can be given to you. Also enquire in advance from your embassy or the passport office about what papers you will need so that you have them in order or can at least organize them with least confusion.
Maid – inoculations, herpes, etc
If you are planning on having a maid or a nanny help out after birth, ensure that you get their entire medical history checked for communicable diseases like TB and herpes. It is unlikely that they will be able to communicate it all to you so it’s a wise investment to have them checked up at a hospital. Also ensure that you get a police verification done for security purposes.
Post delivery care
Keep a lookout for a pediatrician early on during your pregnancy. Ask friends and acquaintances for their experiences and look for a pediatrician who you feel comfortable with. Again, distance and convenience is of prime importance because you will spend the first few days running for every little thing. Find a pediatrician who is young enough to be in touch with the latest medical developments as well as old enough to have some experience. And one who is accessible at all times. Pick up a corset and a feeding pillow in advance as these are not easily available and you might not get a chance to buy it after the baby arrives.
Shopping for your baby
In India it is considered inauspicious to shop for the baby before it is born – it mainly stems from olden days, when the infant mortality rate was high and you didn’t know if a child would survive the first week. It is also customary to make the child wear home-made, soft cotton shifts and hand-me-downs or just swaddle it in unstitched cloth. As a result you are unlikely to find too much infant clothing. A few big chains carry some maternity wear as well as infant wear. Fortunately you also get plenty of nursery furniture now. What you must ensure is that the nursery has mosquito netting on the windows and also that you buy a separate portable mosquito net for times when you are out or travelling with your baby.
Also, with pre-natal gender determination being illegal, you will not be told whether you are having a boy or a girl so you might have to wait until after the baby is born. A good idea is to identify what you want before the due date and perhaps put down a deposit. You can get your partner to collect it in the color you want after the baby arrives. There are also a few Indian websites on which you can shop online now so if you are too tied down with the baby you can just get online and shop away.
Leaving hospital
Car seats are not necessary in India and so you can comfortably leave the hospital after the baby is born, holding your baby in your arms. It is, however, advisable to buy one along with shades for the windows. The Indian sun is harsh and a baby being driven around in the backseat without adequate protection can suffer from burns. This would also be a good time to start carrying baby in the baby carrier and getting her into the habit. Strollers are easily available and in a wide range, but few stores are stroller-friendly and most markets are dusty and full of potholes. A stroller ride might be very bumpy for a newborn so keep that in mind. Traffic too is a problem and with no pedestrian walks, your stroller will be restricted to malls and parks.
Pediatrician
Find yourself a good pediatrician. Check with friends and see whether you prefer someone young and clued into the latest medical breakthroughs or someone older and more experienced. A combination of the two would be ideal. Again, proximity is of great importance. You will need to visit often during the early days and its best to be close by. A pediatrician who gives you his cell phone number and is easily accessible might be rare but ideal.
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