midwife wants a birthplan

[IfMamaAintHappy]

Hi ladies!

My midwife suggested that I write up a small birth plan for our homebirth. We talk often and have discussed many things, but I guess she feels it necessary to have a written document. What would you suggest I put on it?!

Also, should I have birth plans written out in the event that we have to transfer to the hospital for either a non emergency situation or an emergency c-section? I'd like to keep them short and sweet, so I guess I feel like doing one for each situation and have copies in the event we need to use them.

Thanks for any input!

[Chloe]

Jeni- write exactly what you want. You can write what you have discussed with the MW, and anything else you think is important.

In the event of an emergency, I'd suggest that you say that you want to hold the baby as soon as possible (or have dh hold the baby), be allowed to nurse right away, and things like that. Whatever you want- that is what you should put in your birth plan! And you probably don't want general anesthetic- you might just want the epidural for an emergency cesarean. But I hope you won't need one!

Francine

[mum2lillie]

http://www.parentsplace.com/pregnancy/birthplan/

Here's the link to a birth plan that you can fill out online and print out. It's so handy. This is the one I used just incase I had to transfer, but I didn't have to. It was reassuring to know that I had it.

I didn't actually do a birthplan with the midwife, but your post made me think about it and I think I'll do one just for her next time. It'll mostly be for me though. I used to think that everyone who wants a HB w/ a midwife was basically wanting the same things, but I think a different way now. Some people may or may not want to be vaginally checked, or may want to be in a room alone w/ hubby or whoever until a certain point. I guess basic stuff like that. There was way to much intervention at my HB. It had nothing really to do with the midwife. We just had too many people there and it was hard to get the baby down because she was so big and too many onlookers. Don't get me wrong-it was a great birth. I could have been at the hospital-you know? You just learn from every birth, the things you'd change next time. So many blessings to you and I hope the link helps!

[sunmountain]

Here's ours, from our last birth, which was in the hospital, but we had 2HBs as well, and another hospital one...long story...but here it is:


For our midwives...
We would prefer the following during the labor and birth...
1. intermittent, not constant, fetal monitoring
2. no episiotomy (I prefer to tear)
3. student doctors observing are not welcome
4. no IV usage, I prefer to eat and drink on my own
5. avoid any use of labor inducing drugs, or pain medication
6. avoid use of antibiotics, unless fever is present or my water has been broken for longer than 24 hrs.
7. we would like a waterbirth.
8. cord should not clamped or cut until blood flow through it ceases



For the hospital staff...
We would prefer the following after the birth...
1. breastfeeding will be introduced immediately following the delivery
2. baby will stay with us unless it becomes absolutely necessary to do otherwise for the health and safety of either. Weighing and bathing of the baby will wait for an hour or more.
3. no use of eye antibiotic ointment or Vitamin K injections or drops.
4. baby will room-in, not be brought to the nursery
5. no vaccinations of any kind
6. no sugar water or formula will be given to the baby, as I will exclusively breastfeed
7. we wish to bring the placenta home, and will provide a container for that purpose

We are confident in my ability to birth naturally and are relying on everyone involved to respect our wishes. We believe birth is a natural process, that when left alone will progress at its own rate and should not be hurried or interfered with. We look forward to a waterbirth, for both a more relaxing experience during labor, and for a gentle introduction to the world for the baby. Thank you for sharing this experience with us.

Hope that gives you some ideas