20 Birth Plan
Description
This article is from the Birth Planning FAQ, by wnymph@FensEnde.com (Sabrina Cuddy) with numerous contributions by others.
20 Birth Plan
>When in your pregnancy did you discuss it with your
>ob/gyn/midwife?
At 30 weeks, once I had gotten out of the hospital for preterm labor.
>When you have delivered already: did the birthing plan work out,
>did things go as you would have wanted them to go? Do you think
>you missed some topics in your birthing plan you might like to
>add next time?
Things worked out somewhat differently, but that was because I was
induced and didn't get to start labor on my own, so I was in the
hospital the entire time. But other than that, it went just about how
I had planned. My membranes were stripped and my water was broken, but
otherwise it was basically what I had planned for.
>Are there things I forgot that you would like to tell about your
>birthing plan?
My birth plan was for a very high risk delivery, so it included
every intervention I could think of. You may not need such a
complete plan. Mine was also for a twin delivery, so it is in
the plural.
___'s Birth Plan
Preparation Wear own clothing rather than hospital fare.
No enema
No shaving or removal of pubic hair
IV inserted by someone who specializes in this and will listen to me
about my experiences. Local anesthetic, please.
Labor Light food and fluids upon request.
External Fetal Monitoring hourly but not when I need to be up.
Freedom to choose positions and activity in labor, such as walking,
sitting, lying on side, etc.
Able to walk to toilet when needed
Vaginal exams for specific medical indication only or when labor changes
Full information about risks and benefits of each suggested medical
procedure
Artificial rupture of membranes after discussion if needed
Pitocin ONLY if needed to boost contractions
Analgesia for pain upon request
Anesthetics for pain upon discussion after request
Labor coach present for any medical procedure
Birth Labor coach present for actual birth
Position in pushing phase to be determined by me at the time (using
gravity enhanced positioning if possible
Pushing to begin at my urging, after dilation is complete
Pillows, wedge, elevated table back for support at delivery
Try for intact perineum with massage, support and hot compresses
No episiotomy unless deemed absolutely medically necessary after
discussion of options
Perineum ice packs immediately after birth
Dimmed lights for births
Skin-to-skin contact with me upon delivery
Erythromycin rather than silver nitrate to be given as late as
possible (delayed for maximum number of hours)
Babies weighed, measured, footprinted, etc after initial bonding time
if possible
After Birth Spontaneous delivery of placenta
Clamp and cut cord immediately
Babies suctioned
Recovery Recovery with babies in private
Post Recovery Babies remain with me at all times except upon my request
(24-hour rooming in)
Breastfeeding on demand
Person of choice in my room at any time of day
Help with breastfeeding from nursing staff
NO sugar water between feedings
Freedom of movement for me after birth
Baby circumcised in hospital (hopefully with local anesthesia by moyhel)
C-Section Scheduled after labor begins
Labor coach present
Regional anesthesia with little or no premedication
Obstetrician explains events as they occur
Breastfeeding as soon as possible
Premature Birth Visit NICU as much as possible
Nursing babies and expressed milk given to babies
Postpartum Visiting Nurse to help for a period of time
=========================================================================
Continue to:
My Books
