Post by flamingeaux on Oct 1, 2014 21:48:39 GMT -5
I want 3 things out of my delivery. The third one is negotiable ,depending on how it will affect items 1 and 2. 1. Healthy baby 2. Healthy me 3. My vag to make it through in one albeit stretched out piece
I don't have a midwife so this may sound like a weird question....but aren't they your advocate during labor as well? Or is that just a doula? I ask because I would think in that case the midwife would serve as your voice along with your DH. Giving her the plan makes more sense than giving it to the nurses But again....I really don't know how that works with a midwife and I won't have a birth plan other than "get her out of me the safest for each of us".
This is really variable. My SIL went to a hospital midwife practice for her second and said the midwife showed up at the last minute after many hours of her laboring with the doula and nurses, the same as her OB for her first birth.
At the birthing center where I'm going, 3 midwives attend your birth, and they do all the nursing too; they are their own support staff. Should you need to transfer to the hospital, your primary midwife goes with you and is your advocate.
First off, I am sorry you had a terrible first L+D. But, I agree with others who said that your tone is a little harsh, and it will likely be better received if you change some of the wording. You want your nurse/midwife to be on your team, instead of fighting against them. I work in L+D as a physician assistant, so I can give you some perspective. A lot of these things are standard at my hospital, so you really need to know your hospitals policies before demanding things that they already do.
Here's what I would change:
During Labor • I would like a heplock placed unless IV medications are necessary • I would like intermittent fetal monitoring instead of continuous monitoring as long as it is appropriate • I would like internal checks only when absolutely necessary. • I would like the room kept dim/as little noise as possible while laboring. • I do not want my strip membranes or waters artificially broken. • DH and I will discuss all changes or interventions alone before consenting to anything. - understandable, except in an emergent situation as others discussed. If you have a cord prolapse, you don't want to take 15 mins to discuss whether you should have a c/s or not. • Please DO NOT offer pain medication; if I want, I will ask • If I ask for pain medication during a contraction, please discuss it with me when I am not having one
Otherwise I think this section is ok. Especially since you worded it "I would like" instead of "I will"
During Delivery • I willI would like to push uncoached as I feel the need to do so. • Please allow me to change positions during the pushing stage if I feel the need to do so; and assist me with achieving these positions as necessary. • Please only perform an episiotomy if necessary. • Please deliver the baby onto my chest.
• We would like to delay cutting the cord until it stops pulsing. • DH will be cuttingwould like to cut the cord. • We would like to allow the placenta to deliver without pulling. We don't know the sex of our baby...so we please let us look for ourselves before announcing it!
Newborn Care • Delay all newborn care (bath, eye drops, vitamin K, etc) until after we’ve had time to bond/baby has nursed; at least one hour. We will let you know when we are ready for them. • Bath baby with wash we have provided. I am VERY allergic to J&J and will not be able to hold/be around baby if it is used. • Perform all newborn care in the room with us. If the baby MUST be removed, DH will go with the baby. • If the baby is a boy, DO NOT circumcise. - unnecessary - they can't do it without your signed consent. • I intend to exclusively breastfeed. o If formula is necessary, I will use a supplemental nursing system; no bottles • Do not give a pacifier
Again, thank you all for the replies. I thought the line that states "Changes will be made as needed to ensure the health of mom and baby" was sufficient to get across that I know nothing is set in stone, but apparently not.
I was specifically asked by my midwife to include post birth care (feeding/pacifier) in case the baby needs to be evaluated by a neonat team/taken to the NICU. Or I was not in a position to answer questions post-birth (emergency surgery type thing).
I appreciate the advice for a doula, however that is not feasible for us financially, so we will have to deal without. And again, I know my husband's limitations regarding expressing himself (he has a speech impediment and can literally not talk coherently when stressed/anxious).
I will definitely let everybody know what my mid-wife says tomorrow.
I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude but your nurses are going to hate you. The last thing we want is a patient telling us what we will and will not do. You can request but the way you have it worded is very insulting to healthcare PROFESSIONALS.
And if your baby goes to the NICU, for the love of god let the baby have a pacifier. It's the only form of pain control they have and needle sticks HURT.
I'm still offended from reading your birth plan and you're not even my patient.