Okay, so I know that birth "plans" can be controversial, and honestly, I understand why. There are so many ready made birth plans on the internet where you just check boxes, print it out and take it in without thinking about why certain boxes are being checked. I understand that I've never been in labor before, and can't plan for everything, but I know I've prepared myself and I've done my research and prayed about my ideal birth. I understand why I've included everything in my birth plan, and I understand that some things are totally out of my control. In the end, my baby is my goal, and I'll do whatever I need to in order to have her arrive in my arms safely.
Here's my birth wishes:
Dear Birth Team,
Please help me to achieve the most natural birth possible. I’m so grateful for everyone who is helping me through this event! I have never been in labor before, but have spent my entire pregnancy reading and preparing for this experience. I am hopeful, prepared and determined, and am asking for as much support as I can get.
Labor
- Please do not separate my husband and myself during labor or delivery
- I ask that no students or residents attend my labor/birth
- I would like to be free to walk around and get in any position that seems comfortable to me during labor. I brought my own birthing ball to use, and would like to be free to use the shower whenever needed, as well as walking to manage labor pains.
- I would not like to be hooked up to an IV unless it is medically necessary. If it becomes medically necessary, please explain why to my husband and myself.
- I would prefer to continue drinking fluids (water, juice, gatorade) to keep myself hydrated
- I request that the hospital staff suggest natural ways to manage pain. I am aware pain medication is available, and I will discuss with my husband if I feel I need it
- I would like a hand held doppler to monitor baby’s heartbeat as much as possible so that I can move around freely during labor
- I prefer to eat if I wish to in order to keep my strength up
- I would like to labor without a time limit. If my labor stalls, please suggest natural ways to get labor going again without using medication. I would also like to have an unlimited amount of time if labor seems to stall - as long as the baby is not in distress
Environment
- I would like the door to remain closed
- I would like the lights dimmed, if it is daylight, I would like the lights to be off
- I may wish to play music, or I may wish for it to be quiet, please ask my husband which I’m preferring at that time
Pushing
- I would prefer to push for as long as my body needs to, as long as the baby is not showing signs of distress
- I would prefer to push instinctively, in whichever position seems the most comfortable to me at the time
- I would rather risk tearing than having an episiotomy, and ask that the ob/midwife suggest different positions, use a hot compress, as well as guidance in when to push or stop pushing to minimize tearing
- Please ask me if I would like to touch the baby’s head as I am crowning
- Please ask me if I would like a mirror to see the baby being born
- If possible, I would love if my husband “caught” the baby, or if I could pull her up onto my chest as she’s being born
Post-Birth
- I would prefer that the placenta is delivered spontaneously without the use of pitocin, and/or controlled traction on the umbilical cord.
- As long as the baby cries and has no obvious health problems, I would like to delay all procedures (including the vitamin K shot) until she is 1 hour old, or at minimum until I have breastfeed my baby on both breasts
- I would like the baby to be placed on my chest as soon as she is born for skin to skin contact & for me to nurse her
- I would like the staff to wait until the umbilical cord stops pulsating before clamping and cutting it
- I would like my husband to cut the umbilical cord
- Please do not give me Pitocin post-partum unless there are signs of hemorrhaging.
- I would like all newborn procedures to take place in my presence, while I or my husband is touching the baby.
- Please do not give my baby eye drops, I am willing to sign a medical waiver if need be
Hospital Stay
- Please do not offer formula, pacifiers, any artificial nipples or sugar water to my baby at any time
- I will be exclusively breastfeeding my baby
- I would prefer my baby stays in the room with me at all times, and if she needs to be taken from the room for any reason, my husband accompanies her
Cesarean Section
- I strongly hope to avoid a cesarean, but if the ob/midwife decides one is necessary, please explain the reasoning to my husband and I, and give us some time to discuss it and make our decision
- If a cesarean becomes necessary, I would like my husband to be present at all times during the operation
- I would like to be conscious
- I would like to hope or touch my baby immediately afterward, before an examination
- I would like my husband to accompany the baby wherever she needs to go
- I would prefer a low transverse incision on my abdomen and uterus
- Please keep me informed as to what is going on during the surgery
- I would like the screen to be lowered a bit so I can see my baby being born, or have a mirror so that I can see
If baby’s health is in jeopardy
- I would like to be transported with my baby if possible
- If I cannot go with the baby, I ask that my husband accompanies her
- I would like to have as much bodily contact with my baby as possible
- I would like to breastfeed or pump for my baby
I took this to my appointment yesterday and the only things she wanted to review with me was the eating - I think she thought I wanted like full meals, which I don't - I just don't want to be denied food. She also talked to me about laboring without a time limit, just warning me that if baby doesn't descend, she just might not fit through my birth canal, but I don't think I'll have a problem with that. Also, monitoring the heartbeat, there will be times I'll have to be hooked up to the monitor for a period of time, and if everything is good, I'm free to move around. She was great with everything else and has a copy of our "wishes" to keep in my file for when I need them!
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What do you think about birth "wishes"?
Do they let you have a mirror for a c-section? Or have the sheet down? I guess I'm not sure but I wouldn't think they would. Nor do I suggest it. I know I wouldn't want to see what was going on. The trauma of having to have major surgery is enough for me. They actually a nurse who I swear their sole purpose was to distract the mom during the surgery. She kept talking to me the whole time. When I talked to my sister-in-law (who also had a c-section... on the other side of the country) she said there was someone there that did the same thing.
ReplyDeleteI also don't think they will let your hubby be present when they give you the spinal tap thing. (with a c-section). Dan couldn't come in until afterwards and it was the same with my brother and his wife.
When Isaac was born they lifted him above the sheet so I could see him then took him to get cleaned up. They then brought him to me and I kissed him before they took him out of the room. Because he was early and had IUGR he had to be checked out. Had he not needed oxygen and a NICU they would have brought him to me to breastfeed once I was closed shut.
I think most hospitals let you spend the first hour with baby before they do anything provided its a normal birth. I know mine did. In fact they encouraged it.
I think your birth plan looks great! I keep checking twitter a couple times a day for the good news! Hopefully soon! Oh and May 27th is another good day to have a baby. Thats my brothers birthday. ;)
I think that everything sounds great! It sounds a lot like what I will want some day. I am hoping for as natural a birth as possible for my hypothetical future pregnancy(ies?).
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you, Mr. Skinny, and BABY!!! :-)