This year has been one to remember not only because of Covid19, a worldwide pandemic we are currently experiencing, but because my husband and I welcomed our first child, Theodore, or “Theo.” In preparing for our baby, we had to make a lot of decisions on everything from the kind of birth we wanted to have (natural or medicated and hospital or birthing center) to what color crib did we wish to purchase (black or off white).
The preparation: Six to nine months before we found out we were pregnant, I spent money on yoga classes, vitamins, Ayurveda massages, and invested in books on how to nourish healthy eggs when conceiving after thirty. Along with cutting out alcohol and caffeine, I altered my diet to reflect my desire to have a stress free pregnancy and delivery. All of these changes came at a cost, and a few of my choices, to cut out drinking, saved us money each month.
My goal for this piece is to shed some light on the economics of preparing my body, mind, and environment to have a baby. What comes after the baby is born is not covered here, but as you may imagine, you buy more stuff! I have also included links to resources throughout if you decide to follow suit.
A few of our personal preferences included a doula assisted birth ($1800), organic baby clothing and diapers, and a plant that we named Jerry to help with purifying the air in our son's room. We also invested $495 spent on Hypnobirthing classes (mental preparation for my desired unmedicated birth, more on that later), $242 on yoga classes to prepare my body to physically to carry my baby, $100 on acupuncture (not for me) to release tension in my back and neck. I also insisted that we eat as organic as possible, and I cut sugar for months (the research on sugar is final, its bad for you and your eggs!). I spent $12.99 on a monthly Pandora subscription because I had to have a “commercial-free” jam session during delivery (check out the Brazilian Radio Station).
I fell for Instagram influencers touting pregnancy tights and bought two pair for $64. I still have not managed to try on the postpartum set, partly because I did not think about my post-baby weight gain, and because the leggings contain spandex, not my preference in material for lounging around the house while caring for a newborn, cotton please! Around 37 weeks, I started seeing a chiropractor for adjustments. As the great Sharika once said, “hips don’t lie,” and if I was going to have a vaginal birth, I needed to be reasonably consistent with this line item. By the time I delivered, I had seen a chiropractor a few times and spent $255. The initial visit was the most significant fee. I did not enjoy the sound of “drops” while pregnant, but Theo was born 9 lbs. 2 oz., vaginally, with little fuss, contrary to my doctor’s worry of shoulder dystocia (he was a BIG baby).
So, I bet you are wondering what I would do again or what I would leave out. Although I enjoyed our Hypnobirthing classes, nightly mantras, and a new community of momma friends, the practice did not work for me in the delivery room. After laboring for fifteen hours, I requested *several times* an epidural and found the remaining hour to be quite pleasant. I would go without the Blanqi tights because there are cheaper and sustainable brands out there. I would do more Ayurveda therapy and double down on the yoga.
There is no “one way” to prepare yourself or your body for motherhood, do your research, advocate for yourself (have a birth plan) and do what works for you and your family.