07 Birth Plan
Description
This article is from the Birth Planning FAQ, by wnymph@FensEnde.com (Sabrina Cuddy) with numerous contributions by others.
07 Birth Plan
My birthing plan covered such topics as:
1. Number of people allowed with me during birth
2. Upon addmittance, no IV's, and an external fetal monitor only and for
only 15 minutes per hour
3. No drugs to be offered even if I scream for them
4. My husband gets to cut the cord
5. If an emergency c-section is necessary, to have it only after approval
of both my spouse and I, plus my spouse to be allowed to be with me during
that procedure
6. I wanted to have ice chips during labor
7. To be allowed to breast feed immediately after birth
8. To hold my newborn for at least 1/2 an hour before taking her away to
finger print, etc.
9. To be release from hospital the next day unless told in detail why I
couldn't
10. I wanted a private room after birth plus rooming-in.
11. No episiotomy
12. To be able to move about during labor and birth in any position I
found comfortable.
All this was written in a way as not to irritate my doctors. A disclaimer
was written allowing for complications - If something was terribly wrong I
would get an IV or fetal monitoring, etc. as the doctor saw fit - but only
after discussing it with us.
I presented my birthing plan as soon as possible and showed it to all my
doctors (I belong to an HMO). Some did not appreciate it - they knew what
was best for me! Another one told me if I went against doctors orders, I
would not be covered by my insurance.
What actually happened:
I did not get an IV nor did I take any drugs. I was allowed ice chips only
but that was enough to get me through all those long hours! I had an
external fetal monitor on for most of my labor but I didnot really notice
it - plus it showed when my baby was being deprived of oxygen so it was ok.
I was allowed to have 4 very close friends help me give birth and share my
experience. I did not need an episiotomy but I did tear slightly. My
husband did not cut the cord nor did I get to hold my baby immediately
because the cord was wrapped around her neck thus requiring immediate
medical intervention. I couldn't room-in because my baby was in ICU for a
week.
All in all, the birthing plan gave me and my doctors an idea of what I
wanted in the best case scenario. Although everything did not go as
planned (do they ever?) I was quite happy with my birthing experience.
Good luck!
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