I have made up a "Birth Wishlist" for this birth, and was wondering how it compared to others' birth plans. We're planning a home birth, so my "wishlist" is really just that - some ideas that I have in mind that I want everyone to know about - but nothing that's going to make or break the whole thing, KWIM? With my last birth in a hospital, it was very different!
So, do you have a birth plan? Why or why not? Do you mind sharing it?
Here's mine:
Birth Wishlist
I would like:
- for Gabriel to have access to the birth, as much or as little as he chooses, under the care of his grandmother.
- to initiate and progress through labor on my own, without outside measures to stimulate it.
- to be encouraged to change positions, move about, and try different things throughout labor, and especially at any point there is a stall.
- to avoid exams until I request it or there is an indication of its necessity.
- to have juice, water, Gatorade, etc., brought to me in one of our large plastic cups with a bendable straw.
- to labor in the tub, shower, or birthing pool as much as I feel comfortable with it.
- to use the ball to lean against and/or sit on during labor.
- to begin pushing on the toilet.
- to be encouraged to try different positions for pushing.
- to birth out of water, preferably on the bed or wherever feels comfortable.
- to have perineal support and massage to minimize any tearing.
- for DH or me to help catch the baby.
- for the baby to be given to me as quickly as possible.
- to have a few minutes alone with DH and the baby (and possibly Gabriel) as quickly as possible after the birth itself. I’d rather this be sooner than later, even if that necessitates brevity.
- to see the placenta after it is delivered.
- to leave the cord intact until it has stopped pulsating and the baby is clearly doing well.
- for Gabriel to help DH cut the cord.
- for DH to announce the baby’s gender.
- to have pictures taken immediately after or at the time of birth, specifically of DH and Gabriel’s reactions to the birth and baby.
- for my mother to call those on the “Baby’s Here!” phone list after the baby’s stats have been determined and a name given.
- for necessary samples to be taken for the Borreliosis (Lyme disease) test kit.
I would NOT like:
- to be transported to a hospital for any reason but an emergency.
- to have an IV during labor.
- to have my membranes stripped or water broken without indication of necessity.
- to have an episiotomy.
- to have anything done to or for me without my knowledge and understanding.
I showed my list (minus a couple of changes I just made!) to my MW this week and she said basically everything was standard for a home birth. Woohoo! I am SO thrilled that I'm not going to have to be concerned about things this time like I was with the last one. I can't wait! 
So, do you have a birth plan? Why or why not? Do you mind sharing it?
Here's mine:
Birth Wishlist
I would like:
- for Gabriel to have access to the birth, as much or as little as he chooses, under the care of his grandmother.
- to initiate and progress through labor on my own, without outside measures to stimulate it.
- to be encouraged to change positions, move about, and try different things throughout labor, and especially at any point there is a stall.
- to avoid exams until I request it or there is an indication of its necessity.
- to have juice, water, Gatorade, etc., brought to me in one of our large plastic cups with a bendable straw.
- to labor in the tub, shower, or birthing pool as much as I feel comfortable with it.
- to use the ball to lean against and/or sit on during labor.
- to begin pushing on the toilet.
- to be encouraged to try different positions for pushing.
- to birth out of water, preferably on the bed or wherever feels comfortable.
- to have perineal support and massage to minimize any tearing.
- for DH or me to help catch the baby.
- for the baby to be given to me as quickly as possible.
- to have a few minutes alone with DH and the baby (and possibly Gabriel) as quickly as possible after the birth itself. I’d rather this be sooner than later, even if that necessitates brevity.
- to see the placenta after it is delivered.
- to leave the cord intact until it has stopped pulsating and the baby is clearly doing well.
- for Gabriel to help DH cut the cord.
- for DH to announce the baby’s gender.
- to have pictures taken immediately after or at the time of birth, specifically of DH and Gabriel’s reactions to the birth and baby.
- for my mother to call those on the “Baby’s Here!” phone list after the baby’s stats have been determined and a name given.
- for necessary samples to be taken for the Borreliosis (Lyme disease) test kit.
I would NOT like:
- to be transported to a hospital for any reason but an emergency.
- to have an IV during labor.
- to have my membranes stripped or water broken without indication of necessity.
- to have an episiotomy.
- to have anything done to or for me without my knowledge and understanding.
I showed my list (minus a couple of changes I just made!) to my MW this week and she said basically everything was standard for a home birth. Woohoo!
I am SO thrilled that I'm not going to have to be concerned about things this time like I was with the last one. I can't wait! 
