Birth Plan

Well, I finally sat down and worked on my birth plan. Very excited. I think I may go through and make some changes over time. I'm really excited to share this with my doctor and get his advice on it. Well, here it is..

Birth Plan

People:

·         I would like my partner to stay with me at all times

·         I would like to allow other family members or children to visit me in the hospital

Monitoring:

·         I prefer intermittent rather than continuous fetal monitoring, if possible. During contractions this causes a lot of extra pain for me

Anaesthesia/Pain Relief:

·         Please do not offer pain medication, instead offer advice on different labouring positions and breathing techniques

·         All medical intervention must be approved by myself and my husband before doing

Tearing & Episiotomy

·         I would like to avoid an episiotomy as much as possible, please let me tear naturally

Labour:

·         I want to be free to move or walk around

·         I would like to drink clear fluids instead of being hydrated through an IV. I wish to eat and drink freely throughout labour

·         I would like to labour in my own clothes

Induction:

·         I would like to try natural methods of movement/position before using pitocin

·         I would like the amniotic membrane broken before trying other methods to augment labour

C-Section:

·         I would like to avoid a c-section, unless ABSOLUTELY necessary

·         I would like a second opinion from another physician if time permits

·         If a c-section takes place my partner is to stay with the baby at all times

 Delivery:

·         I would like to use a mirror so I can see the delivery

·         I would like to touch the baby’s head during crowning

·         I would like to push when I feel like it rather than being coached

Immediately after the birth and newborn care:

·         Please place our baby skin to skin immediately after delivery – I would like to breastfeed

·         I would like my partner to cut the umbilical cord

·         I would like to continue holding my baby through delivery of the placenta and newborn procedures.

·         I would like to spend as much time as possible with my baby to breastfeed before being measured and weighed

·         If our baby must go to the nursery, my husband will accompany our baby at all times

·         I do not want to be separated from my baby during newborn procedures (when possible)

Postpartum:

·         I would like to have my baby in the room with me

·         Assuming I feel up to it and our baby is healthy, I would like to be released as soon as possible