(couldn't find the original source)
While I am fully aware that I have no idea what labor will feel like, what the baby's plans are and that anything can happen, I still wrote a birth plan. Having a hospital birth, I feel it is very important to be upfront about my wishes and communicate that with all of my providers. A lot of the wording I used was from my hospital's "birth plan checklist". Here is what I have so far:
During
labor I would like:
-Help
with positioning, moving around, and other low-intervention (“natural”) pain
relief techniques
-Intermittent
fetal monitoring and telemetry monitoring so I may walk around and shower, if I
wish
-No
IV unless necessary, Hep (saline) lock is fine
-As
few interruptions and vaginal exams as possible
-To
drink fluids and eat light, easily digestible food, if I wish
-To
wear my contact lenses
For
pain relief I would like:
-Breathing
techniques, position changes, massage, a shower to relax
-Only
what I request at the time, I do not want anyone else to suggest pain
medication
When
the baby comes I would like:
-Pushing
spontaneously, no loud “cheerleading”-like yelling
-Use
a mirror to see baby crown and touch the baby’s head when it crowns
-Avoid
episiotomy by using mineral oil and natural tearing, if needed
-Avoid
forceps and vacuum extraction
-Baby
to be placed on me, skin to skin
-Breastfeed
as soon as possible
-My
husband Jon will cut the cord
-Absolutely
no formula, sugar water, water
-Absolutely no pacifiers, bottles or artificial
nipples
Any questions, I will try my best to answer them in the comments.
Thanks for being respectful, in advance! ;)
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20 comments:
Same as mine! Although, unfortunately I need to have an IV of antibiotics because I tested positive as a carrier for Group B strep...blahh.
Sounds good! I'm not a mom yet, so not sure how the birth day/plan "usually" goes. My question is this, If you are not explicit with your plan and requests for certain steps (or omission of certain steps) will the doctors perform/do those things? For example; forceps, epidural, episiotomy and formula.
I'm interested just because your list sounds very well informed and intentional (in a good way!). I guess I'm asking because I wonder if unless otherwise requested by the mother, they would go another route. I guess I will be doing my research before I eventually have a baby. Thanks for the tips!
this is all so exciting! you seem to be so well prepared!!
Do you have a doula? If you need/want one I can recommend someone. Going natural is brave! You can do it!
This sounds like a great plan, Holly! It sounds a lot like my experience (although I had to have more intervention), all of these requests should be met no problem! Have you talked to the doctor about it? Most of what you described is pretty standard practice now-a-days, even at Kaiser (which surprised me!) :)
ps. If you do end up wanting an epidural, make sure you ask for it right away.. it takes about 20 min for them to go get it, get everything set up, and then they have to put it in and it takes a few minutes to start working... I asked for mine kinda late and it didn't take effect until I was 7cm (most women get it around 4)...
Michelle, yes and no. Some things they can't do without your authorization, like an epidural. Some things are necessary to help get the baby out and I would not refuse if it were an emergency, but if they know how I feel upfront (for example: forceps/vacuums) then we may not end up down that route as quickly because its more of a "last resort". On the hospital checklist one of the options actually is "whatever the doctor or nurse suggests is fine with me" HA! That is what I want to avoid.
Some things they would just do if I didn't specify (like formula, pacifier, sugar water) and some things aren't allowed at all (eating), so I'm crossing my fingers on that one!
Erin-we got a couple quotes and I'm afraid we might not be able to afford it. Also, the one I originally wanted is already booked for September. Where is yours located?
Nicole- we are going over it with the doctor at my appointment on Friday. Some things we were told are not allowed or not the norm, but as long as my doctor is on board, it should be fine. Fingers crossed he is. And yeah, we were also told the anesthesiologist could be busy and it could possibly take up to 1 hour to get an epidural.
Hopefully your delivery will go smoothly and you'll be able to have your birth plan go the way you want.
There's a good chance you won't be allowed to eat or drink in the hospital. They refused to let me have anything other than popsicles (I had like 20) or ice chips. I couldn't even drink water...reason being in case I needed a Csection or if I needed to be put under sedation...which is very unlikely but something I actually ended up needing so I guess it's good I didn't have the food. Just like any major surgery where they don't want you eating beforehand. That part sucks for sure but there is a reason for it.
Shannon-yeah, I'm aware of the reasoning behind it, but our childbirth class teacher told us that is very old thought. Especially when people get in car accidents everyday with full tummies and have to have emergency surgery. She said depending on my nurses, I may be able to eat. We shall see! ;)
Thanks for answering the questions, who knew? I sure didn't, thanks for your feedback, I am much more informed now!
She's in San Jose -- a bit of a drive. But she might know of others closer to you. Let me know if you're interested. She's a good friend -- I could get the lowdown on pricing from her so you have an idea of what a normal fee would be.
Sounds like a great plan Hol! :) I would probably have something very similar.
I obviously don't know much about having a baby - but it sounds like you are really organized! And it's probably good to have this all written down because the actual day will be so crazy.
Sounds like an excellent plan!! I'm also going to steal youe no cheerleading style encouragement. That's a sure fire way to make me cranky ;)
this may sound weird but...
i'm getting married in two months and my "wedding plan" sounds a lot like this too. :)
during: few interruptions with preferably no vaginal exams, help with positioning, to drink fluids, preferably wine and eat light.
for pain: wine. and maybe something to calm me down? i cry easily..
when the marriage is finalized: no loud "cheerleading", no mirrors, please no forceps or vacuums, and no artificial nipples.
strange how marriage and labor are so closely related! haha, xoxo
glad i found your blog
You just put every idea I've had for my birth plan into perfect words. Thank you for being so willing to share, I'm so happy to have found your blog today.
Hey Holly, Now that I'm pregnant and figuring out my own birth plan I'm referring back to yours. How did it go? Did the hospital staff respect all of your wishes?
michelle, i emailed you back!
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