I don't know how many of you may be writing your own birth plans right now, but I wanted to share mine with you in case you are. There is so much to think about.
Birth
Plan
For Hospital Admission:We request:
·
To decline routine IV prep upon admission
·
To have the following persons present during my
delivery: my husband and my doula
·
To decline discussion on pain tolerance or pain
levels
During Thinning and Opening Phase of Labor:We request:
·
The
patience and understanding of medical caregivers to refrain from any practice
or procedure that could unnecessarily stand in the way of our having the most
natural birth possible
·
Only necessary hospital staff (no observers)
·
No discussion of pain or pain medication unless
requested
·
To be free of blood pressure cuff between
readings
·
In absence of medical necessity, only
intermittent monitoring of baby’s heart
·
No internal monitoring in the absence of fetal distress
·
Freedom of choice to walk and move or not walk
and move during labor
·
To change positions and assume labor positions
of choice
·
Minimal number of vaginal exams
·
To let labor take its natural course without
reference to “moving things along”
·
To be given the privacy to practice nipple
stimulation to further the progress of labor if needed
·
To be fully apprised of and consulted for any
medical procedure
·
No augmentation of labor via Pitocin, amniotomy,
or stripping of membranes without discussion and explanation of need
·
To enjoy labor shower prior to ROM
·
To use my birthing ball
During Birth:
We request:
·
To allow natural birthing instincts to
facilitate the decent of the baby as much as possible
·
Mother-directed breathing techniques without
prompts
·
No pushing prompts
·
Use of birthing stool or birthing bar for
squatting position
·
Use of perineal massage, warm compresses, and
mother-directed pushing to decrease risk of tearing (no episiotomy)
·
Use of suction device instead of forceps if
medically necessary
·
Use of mirror if requested
·
Father to remain with baby in the event of a
surgical procedure
·
Allow natural placental delivery using immediate
breastfeeding, uterine massage, and nipple stimulation
For Baby:
We request:
·
Have bright lights temporarily removed until baby
is moved to mother’s chest
·
Use of soft cloth when stimulating baby
·
Delay
cord clamping or cutting until after pulsation has ceased
·
Cord cut by father
·
Allow baby to remain with me (delay bath time)
for 1-2 hours after birth
·
Delay use of antibiotic treatment to allow
optimal sight for bonding
·
No
Hepatitis B shot
·
Oral Vitamin K to be used if it is available; if
not, delay injection until after baby is acclimated
·
Place a soft cloth or blanket between baby and
scale
·
Father will stay with baby and mother throughout
hospital stay
·
Breastfeeding several times during the first few
hours after birth
·
Breastfeeding only. No bottles, formula, pacifier, artificial
nipples.
·
I would like to learn about of have demonstrated
for me the following:
o
Proper bathing of the baby
o
Breastfeeding Techniques (by lactation
consultant)
o
Umbilical cord care
We thank you in
advance for your support and kind attention to our choices. We know you join us in looking forward to a
beautiful birth!
I know it seems like a lot, but it fits on the front and half of the back of one piece of baby pink cardstock. I am not so naive to think that everything will go exactly as I have planned, but at least I have thought about what an ideal situation would be like.Update:
