Birth Plan Highlighting

[EchoSoul]

I wasn't sure where to put this, so can a moderator kindly move it to the correct place if this one is incorrect?

I've been working on the Birth Plan for our baby boy. I've taken the guidelines of sample birth plans out there, thought on what we wanted to do, and did not want to do, edited, revised....etc...

I know it's supposed to be statements of what you prefer to be done at that particular time, or for that particular scenario, so I've decided to go the extra mile and clearly state "We do NOT consent(insert thing here)."

This opposition to consent to particular things focuses around what I've read - such as we are not consenting to circumcision, but I've heard, and read here, that virtually every attending Birthing Staff that comes in will ask if you consent or not, and even then I've read it's sometimes STILL done without consent. So I was wondering, if I highlighted the key areas of what we don't consent to, would that be considered rude? Or is it a good idea? How did any of you guys express the key factors you wanted the birthing staff to pay attention to for your delivery?

[greenmulberry]

Well, I think that a good thing to do is run through it with your provider and see what things you feel they think would be wise for you to emphasize.

I was surprised that many of the things I was worried about, they do not do at all where I will be delivering. For instance, they insist on the baby rooming in with you and only want you to use the nursery if there is a problem and you cannot have the baby with you (like if the mother is recovering from a difficult delivery and sedated and there is no one else to watch the baby). The sample birth plan I downloaded had a section where I said I wanted to room in with the baby so I took that out.

However, I was surprised to find that they do routinely place an IV lock in everyone, even if you don't get plan to get drugs. My doctor told me that is the one thing on my list that I would be upfront and emphasize, or they may just do it.

I really feel these lists should be short, and only have the important things that you may not be able to communicate at the time, to ensure they are read. I also, having been on the receiving end of things like these (not for medical situation though) feel that they should be short and friendly. If you have a two page document that comes off as adversarial, the staff is less likely to actually take the time to read the whole thing. I know that isn't right but that is just the way it is.

My birth plan includes my preferences for the delivery, and for post delivery stuff, I just have a statement along the lines of: "After delivery, please discuss with mother or father any procedures on the baby BEFORE they occur." I did this because I really wanted to keep the thing as short as possible so that people read the important stuff, "Don't offer me drugs, no episiotomy as I would rather tear" than have to wade through all the details.

[EchoSoul]

Thank you! I was wondering about that. A test-print told me it was longer than I would like, and I was afraid that if it's too long they'd just skim over it real quick and not really read it. We intended on printing it out, or at least coming up with an outline based off of it, and sharing with my Ob/Gyn one of these next appointments. I'll go over it again today and see if I can shorten it any further before talking it over with my Ob/Gyn. Thanks for the response, :)