From day one of my pregnancy with Moya I had thought, and planned, and worried about Belle during the delivery. I wanted her to be in the room. I've always felt that having a baby is a family affair and that if at all possible older children should be involved as much as they can be and are comfortable with. But it is a very intense thing to have a baby and I didn't want Belle to be overwhelmed or scared.
We planned for as many "what if" scenarios we could think of but a lot of it we knew would be a question mark till we got there. My mom was to be on Belle duty so we knew she'd be cared for no matter what. But I didn't know what doctor I'd have or what nurse.
Luckily we totally scored on the doctor and nurse thing. Doctor Johannsen was there to deliver which helped Belle feel confidant in the situation. She knew Johannsen had delivered her. And the nurse we got was just amazing. Her name was Jaline and she not only was nice to Belle but really went above and beyond to include Belle. She gave her a hat, feet covers, and a mask, and let her borrow a real stethoscope. Jaline told her all about the machines and what they were doing and had Belle 'help'. You could tell she was really taken with Belle. And Belle loved it! She got into the roll of my nurse big time and was a great distraction for me.
Jaline took Belle out to show her off to the other nursing staff. My mom went along and filmed as much as she could. Belle went to everyone showing them her note pad with my temperature on it she'd written down. Everyone was just cracking up at how cute she was. When they went and said high to the nurses in triage my mom said that one lady who was in a room with her husband were watching and just laughing and laughing. The lady said at one point "I want her as my nurse."
The entire atmosphere of the event was perfect. Very relaxed and calm and routine feeling. Even some humor and joking around. Between that, having my mom there, and the great staff, it really helped give Belle strength and keep her stress level low.
When time came to push Belle did get a little anxious and asked to leave the room. My mom took her out and they decided to stay right outside the door so they could hear when Moya was born. Very shortly after going out however they heard the baby next door being born and Belle suddenly changed her mind. She told Gaga she had to be in the room. My mom told her okay but she needed to be sure, they couldn't be going in and out. Belle said she was sure. So back in the came. I was SO happy to see her. They went into a little corner in the room that was a great spot for them. They could see but were not 'down in front' if you know what I mean. They were also close to the door if Belle started to freak or if something went wrong and they had to get out. But nothing went wrong and they stayed the entire time.
After one push I called to Belle and reassured her I was okay. My mom held Belle with one arm and her camera with another. We weren't supposed to film the birth but my mom snuck and did so anyway. The video of the birth isn't stellar but it is so amazing.... and funny... right after Moya comes out you can hear Belle say "yuck!" :) She stayed the entire time and did just wonderful! I was and still am so very proud of her! I knew she could do it. It meant a lot to me to have her there and I know it meant a lot to her too. She wanted to be in the room and I'm glad she was able to do so.
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