19 Birth Plan
Description
This article is from the Birth Planning FAQ, by wnymph@FensEnde.com (Sabrina Cuddy) with numerous contributions by others.
19 Birth Plan
[names of parents and children]
LABOR:
Enema: None
Prep: None
Presence of family: Coach (Dad) present at all times. Children and their
adult friends present at parents' discretion.
Position for labor: Whatever works at the time.
Onset of labor: Spontaneous. If late or other complications, will discuss
other options at the time.
Hydration/fluids: Drinking water and juice until no longer tolerated, then
ice chips.
Food: Anything reasonable until no longer tolerated.
Monitoring fetal heart: Stethoscope or Doptone.
Pain relief: Relaxation, breathing, comfort measures.
Speed up labor: If necessary, walking, nipple stimulation, pelvic rocking.
If complications, will discuss other options at the time.
To empty bladder: Walk to the bathroom.
BIRTH:
Position: Squatting, or if that doesn't work, hands and knees. If neither
of those two work, try whatever.
Expulsion techniques: Bearing down with contractions.
Speed up birth: Gravity-enhanced positions. If complications, will discuss
other options at the time.
Bed for birth: Mother's choice of floor, bed, or whatever else is available.
Cleanliness of perineum: Undraped, mother touches baby during birth.
Care of perineum: Try for intact perineum with massage, support, and hot
compresses.
Presence of family: Coach (Dad) present at all times. Children and their
adult friends present at parents' discretion.
Handling of baby: Mother gets to hold baby immediately, with father helping
so baby doesn't accidently get dropped. Suctioning or whatever done
while baby is in mother's arms. (Of course, if complications, will
discuss other options at the time.)
AFTER BIRTH:
Delivery of placenta: Spontaneous or encouraged with breast stimulation
and nursing the baby.
Cord cutting: Clamp and cut after it stops pulsating. Father cuts cord.
Presence of family: Father and other children present at all times.
Discharge of mother and baby: As soon as possible. If medically feasible,
within 24 hours of admission to enhance insurance coverage.
BABY CARE:
Airway: Baby coughs and expels own mucus. Suctioned only if necessary.
Warmth: Baby skin-to-skin with mother, with blanket covering both.
Immediate care: Baby held by parents and nursed by mother. Observed in
parents' arms. If parents need a break, baby is kept nearby in
bassinet.
Eye care: Nonirritating agent, such as erythromycin or tetracycline, as
late as possible, so baby has a chance to look at her family.
First feedings: Breastfeeding on demand.
Contact with baby: 24-hour rooming in.
BIRTH PLAN (PROBLEMS)
C-SECTION:
Rationale: Unless emergency prohibits, confirm fetal heartbeat indicators
with fetal scalp blood oxygen readings.
Partner's presence: Father present.
Anesthesia: As little as possible depending on circumstances. No general
unless absolutely necessary.
Participation: Screen lowered at time of delivery. Events explained as they
occur.
Contact with baby: Held by father immediately after birth, where mother can
touch and see. Breastfeeding as soon as possible.
Discharge of mother and baby: As soon as possible.
SICK INFANT:
Contact with baby: Parents visit and care for baby as much as possible. If
baby must be transferred to another hospital, mother goes, too; if that's
not possible, father goes with baby.
Feeding: Mother nurses baby. If that's not possible, parents feed mother's
expressed milk to baby. If neither is possible, will discuss other
options at the time.
Contact with support group: Yes.
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