Would anyone like to offer some suggestions or some flame-free constructive criticism on my intervention-free birth plan?
For the record:
-I have already one intervention-free birth at a baby-friendly hospital with an OB/GYN. This time, we will be using a midwife at the same hospital.
-The plan prints out to be less than 2 pages.
-As we all know, a plan is just that, a plan, and I am adaptable to changing circumstances that may occur.
Here ya go:
Birth Plan Worksheet
Name: Niki DOB: xx/xx/xxxx
I understand that labor and birth are unpredictable and ultimately want the health and safety of both the baby and I to take precedence. In all non-emergency situations, all proposed procedures are to be discussed (benefits and risks) so I can direct the decision making with informed consent.
ATTENDANTS: I would like only my husband present during delivery. Family/friends permitted at parent's discretion after 1-2 hours after delivery.
HOSPITAL ADMISSION & PROCEDURES Once I'm admitted, I'd like: -my partner to be allowed to stay with me at all times -only my midwife, nurse, and husband (i.e., no residents, medical students, or other hospital personnel) in the room -to eat/drink if I wish to -to have a heparin or saline lock -to walk and move around as I choose -to change labor positions often (please offer to assist) -to not have my membranes ruptured without my consent -not to undergo internal exams unless they are medically necessary
OTHER INTERVENTIONS As long as the baby and I are doing fine, I'd like to: -have intermittent rather than continuous electronic fetal monitoring -be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits and have my labor augmented only if necessary -to labor in the Jacuzzi tub/shower
PAIN RELIEF
I am planning on a natural birth. Please don't offer me pain medication. I'll request it if I need it.
PUSHING When it's time to push, I'd like to: -be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits as long as my baby and I are doing fine -push instinctively-I do not want to be told how or when to push (Mother-Directed Pushing) -feel unrestricted in accessing any sounds of chanting, grunting, or moaning during labor
DELIVERY I would like to: -view the birth using a mirror -touch my baby's head as it crowns -catch my baby and pull it onto my abdomen as it is born -give birth without an episiotomy
To help prevent tearing, please:
-Apply hot compresses -Apply oil -Use perineal massage -Encourage me to breathe properly for slower crowning.
C-SECTION If I need to have an emergency c-section, I'd like: -my partner present at all times during the operation -the screen lowered a bit so I can see my baby being delivered -the baby to be given to my partner as soon as he's dried, if appropriate -to breastfeed my baby in the recovery room
POSTPARTUM After delivery, I'd like: -for the placenta to be born spontaneously without the use of pitocin, controlled traction on the umbilical cord, or massage of the uterus -to wait until the umbilical cord stops pulsating before it's clamped and cut -my partner to cut the umbilical cord if he desires -to have routine newborn procedures delayed until bonding and breastfeeding have occurred -my husband to stay with the baby at all times if I can't be there -to breastfeed as soon as possible (if needed, please page a lactation consultant while I am still in the birthing room)
NEWBORN PROCEDURES: I would like to have routine newborn procedures delayed until bonding and breastfeeding have occurred.
FEEDING: I plan to breastfeed exclusively. Do not offer my baby: -formula -sugar water -a pacifier
I think this is an excellent birth plan to discuss with your midwife, but I would try to get it under a page for the hospital staff. I don't see anything that is really out there, nor do I see any glaring omissions.
I think this is an excellent birth plan to discuss with your midwife, but I would try to get it under a page for the hospital staff. I don't see anything that is really out there, nor do I see any glaring omissions.
Great! Yes, still have lots to discuss with the midwife as far as getting reminded on hospital procedures. We'll see if that request to catch will be honored.
And thank you, xokell2. Providers at my hospital request that you have one on file. They made it sound like everyone does one.
My one comment is that perhaps you don't need the part about being able to vocalize during labor? Unless your prior experience at that hospital has convinced you otherwise, that is.
Actually, yes. I was loud and it felt good. Then some nurse told me to basically be quiet, that I was going to wear myself out. I did ignore her and continued (and it continued to help), but it made me really uncomfortable that I was told to stop doing it.
It's a little long, but otherwise seems good. I'm guessing you have specific reasons for mentioning certain things that I'd think are unneccessary (like vocalizing, which you addressed.)
I'd try to keep things in order of occurrence, like the clamping and cutting of the cord should be before delivery of the placenta. But I am OCD and having things in the right order makes it easier to remember how you are visualizing the series of events.
The only thing that seems possibly contradictory is the mother-directed pushing vs. them telling you how to breathe while crowning.
Yes, you're right. I should omit the breathing while crowning part. My final push was quite forceful and I tore. While I would like to avoid that, I think I should just work on perineal massage or other methods.
Froggy, yes! That is especially the feedback I was looking for. I do want it to be in order. I will make that change.
My only comment is that I'd take out the "emergency" part of the c-section. I had a c/s after 2.5hrs of pushing-it wasn't an emergency and had I not blacked out, I'd imagine I could've asked for these things.
Hospital policy where I delivered (and from my understanding most hospitals) is that an actual emergency c/s no one is allowed in the room and you're under general anesthesia.
I also was in no condition to BF after my c/s, but this varies greatly from person to person.