Now, this all came about because of an incident that occurred the other evening. You see, I was reading a birth plan template. This template said "I would like the following people to be allowed in the room during the birth of my child:" and listed off things like partner, family, friends, doula, children. After a dramatic pause, while reading this to Andrew, I looked at the cats. It dawned on me that I really want my cats to be there when I give birth to my baby. Maybe not both of the cats because Louie doesn't travel well (note the urine-soaked towel form the kennel that is covered in puke), but Cleo is an angel and is perfectly happy as long as she's with her mommy (that'd be ME!).
I have a real reason for wanting her there, too. Do you know who's been there for me for the last 7 years of my life? Cleo. Who's been there when I was depressed and couldn't stop crying? Cleo. When I don't feel well, who comes and sleeps with me, giving me love and affection? Cleo. Yes, Andrew has done these things since I've known him, but he's going to be there for the birth. Cleo is banished, all because she walks on four legs and is covered in black fluff. Do you know who greets me at the door every single day when I come home (and she hasn't escaped with her brother through the tear in the screen that wasn't there when I left for work)? Cleo is.
Cleo has been there for me, through thick and thin. All she asks for in return is a pet and a rub and the occasional can of SBF (Spoiled Brat Food). She comes when she's called, listens to commands like "Cleo, OFF!" and is pretty well behaved. I have to say, quite honestly, that my cat is better behaved than 99.999% of the children on this planet. So, why is it then that some Hippie Woman (because this birth plan was written by a hippie for a hippie) can have her children in the delivery room, and I can't have my cat? I think that this is species-ist and I should file a lawsuit against someone. (Note to Andrew: Look into who I'd sue to get Cleo into that delivery room.)
So now, my lovely readers (of who there are 5 last I checked) I need your help in concocting a plan to get Cleo into that room with me, if not for the birth, then perhaps for the hours that I'll be in there before baby is ready to make an appearance. Right now the only idea I have is to put her in some luggage and bring her in with me. Then, when the doctors come in, we can shove her back in the luggage. I will need a volunteer to drive her from home to hospital and back since Andrew won't be able to do this for me. If you have a better plan then please, do share!
Oh, and here's a picture of the princess. She's such an angel.
I don't see why you couldn't have the cat involved with your birth plan. I don't see the hospital allowing her to be out and about during the actual delivery part, but personally I don't see a problem with having her wander around the room while you wait for the arrival. My cousin used to take her cat to my Grandpa's nursing home to cheer him up. And yes, I realize delivery rooms and nursing homes are 2 different things that require different degrees of necessary sanitation. She'd take Bradley into Grandpa's room and close the door; Bradly would then be able to wander around the room and snuggle up to Grandpa once he was comfortable.
ReplyDeleteI guess you should start by discussing this with the medical staff who will be present during this whole event. Have Cleo in a cat carrier and someone other than yourself, standing by to shove her back in the carrier either during routine check-ups or when the baby is about to be born.
That's my two cents. Also take into consideration that even though Cleo may be an angle, how would she react to all the commotion, various medical machine noises, and being in a new environment with loads of unfamiliar smells. Would she honestly be able to handle it?
There are probably laws that have to do with the presence of a non-service animal in hospitals. This leads to my two part suggestion: Home birth, then you can have anyone or anything there that you want. Alternately, have her declared a service animal (I don't know what's involved in this process, but if a monkey or a dog can be a service animal and somebody with ADD can get a prescription for pot, I'm sure there's a way to get a cat a certification as an anti-depressant or calming-type-thingy)
ReplyDeleteThis may not work, but heck if it isn't worth a look-see, eh?
While I understand your desire to have your cat-friend with you at an important moment in your life, my immediate reaction is to caution you about exposing your child to cat germs/dander/feline flora etc at such a sensitive time. It might not be a big deal, since there probably isn't a lot of difference in the child's immune system between day 0 and day 2 of its life (when it will presumably go home and be exposed to the cat anyway)...but if there was some kind of crazy allergic reaction it could be serious. I'm sure Cleo is clean and wouldn't bring fleas, but even the normal bacteria that colonizes a cat could be something you don't want present at the birth. Just my 2cents from an immunology standpoint.
ReplyDelete