I had planned a homebirth but am now having a hospital birth. This transition is happening due to high blood pressure... and I am switching practitioners too. I am 38 weeks. I feel like this hospital scene is foreign territory to me. I have a meeting with my new OB today to go over my birth plan and hospital policies. I wrote up a birth plan (below) of all the things I could think of but I don't want to (a) seem too confrontational or (b) forget something very important. I know the OB will not have a lot of time to meet with me so I want to focus on the important stuff... Is any of this ridiculous to ask for? Is any of it redundant (i.e. it's already standard)? Am I missing a big intervention?
Any feedback from Mamas and HCPs would be so greatly appreciated!
This birth plan outlines our desires for the labor, birth, and postpartum period. These plans can be revised for medical reasons, after informed consent has been established.
Labor:
Mother will be free to move about during labor and birth to any position, using any props she finds helpful (including shower, birth ball, walking, squatting, etc.)
Mother would like to eat and drink for strength throughout labor.
Mother is open to labor interventions such as cervical ripening and membrane stripping. Mother would like to avoid Pitocin unless absolutely necessary. Mother does not wish to have her bag of waters broken artificially.
Mother's preference regarding pain medication is led by a very strong desire for a natural childbirth. Mother would like to avoid pain medication for the benefit of the baby and the labor process. Please do not offer pain meds to mother-- if long or difficult labor warrants it, mother will request what she feels she needs.
Mother prefers that fetal monitoring occur only when necessary and not continuously.
Any changes in care, procedures, or concerns should be discussed with mother and father so that they may be a part of the decision making process.
Delivery:
Mother prefers a darkened and quiet environment for the delivery of the baby.
Mother prefers no episiotomy; a tear is acceptable if unavoidable.
Please do not use forceps or suction delivery.
The baby will be placed directly on the mother for immediate skin-to-skin contact after delivery and will remain with one of his/her parents for the duration of the hospital stay.
Postpartum:
The cord will not be cut or clamped until it has stopped pulsing.
Breastfeeding will be attempted immediately. Measuring/cleaning of the baby will take place in mother's arms or will wait until first breastfeeding has taken place.
Please avoid suctioning the baby's nose and mouth.
No eye antibiotics will be administered to baby. Mother has has recent screening for STDs and was negative.
Informed consent must be well established for any tests, vaccines, or procedures for baby.
We would like to thank everyone involved for their respect and support for our desires during the birth of our child.
Any feedback from Mamas and HCPs would be so greatly appreciated!
This birth plan outlines our desires for the labor, birth, and postpartum period. These plans can be revised for medical reasons, after informed consent has been established.
Labor:
Mother will be free to move about during labor and birth to any position, using any props she finds helpful (including shower, birth ball, walking, squatting, etc.)
Mother would like to eat and drink for strength throughout labor.
Mother is open to labor interventions such as cervical ripening and membrane stripping. Mother would like to avoid Pitocin unless absolutely necessary. Mother does not wish to have her bag of waters broken artificially.
Mother's preference regarding pain medication is led by a very strong desire for a natural childbirth. Mother would like to avoid pain medication for the benefit of the baby and the labor process. Please do not offer pain meds to mother-- if long or difficult labor warrants it, mother will request what she feels she needs.
Mother prefers that fetal monitoring occur only when necessary and not continuously.
Any changes in care, procedures, or concerns should be discussed with mother and father so that they may be a part of the decision making process.
Delivery:
Mother prefers a darkened and quiet environment for the delivery of the baby.
Mother prefers no episiotomy; a tear is acceptable if unavoidable.
Please do not use forceps or suction delivery.
The baby will be placed directly on the mother for immediate skin-to-skin contact after delivery and will remain with one of his/her parents for the duration of the hospital stay.
Postpartum:
The cord will not be cut or clamped until it has stopped pulsing.
Breastfeeding will be attempted immediately. Measuring/cleaning of the baby will take place in mother's arms or will wait until first breastfeeding has taken place.
Please avoid suctioning the baby's nose and mouth.
No eye antibiotics will be administered to baby. Mother has has recent screening for STDs and was negative.
Informed consent must be well established for any tests, vaccines, or procedures for baby.
We would like to thank everyone involved for their respect and support for our desires during the birth of our child.
They get all nervous if you're walking around with a broken water bag and no contractions.
) and it made a big psychological difference from the 1st.
