Birth Plans, anyone?

[rachdoll]

Does anyone have a birth plan? I am supposed to work on mine this week, and am looking for ideas. If I visualize the labor I want, I think I can get pretty close, but I know there are things I am forgetting about, and I am hesitant to visualize the birth too much because I don't want to be upset with the experience if it varies greatly from my idea of what it should be, yk?

So far for me:
- I don't want internal exams
- I don't want any IV's
- I want to labor in water
- I will eat and drink throughout labor as I desire
- I'd like dim lights
- I don't want my membranes artificially ruptured, nor do I want any other forms of labor augmentation
- I don't want internal monitoring or external electronic monitoring
- No episiotomy - I'd rather tear
- I don't want the vacuum extractor or forceps used
- I don't want pain meds mentioned
- I'd like a mirror
- I want baby placed on my chest immediately
- I don't want the cord cut until it stops pulsing
- I'd like DD to assist in cutting the cord
- I don't want the baby bathed
- No Vit K, no Hep B, no eye gunk
- All examinations of baby are to be done in my presence

Of course this plan is assuming there are no issues, but am I leaving anything out? Need to be more specific at all? Also, I am interested in what everyone else's desires are.

[Dreaming]

I'm keeping mine very simple.

- No episiotomy (unless there is an emergency).
- Place baby on my chest immediately.
- Delay cord clamping for 5 minutes.
- Delay newborn exam until DH and I okay it (unless emergency)
- No Vit K (unless traumatic birth), no eye antibiotics, NO Hep B vax.
- No circumcision.

That's it. I had a longer list last time and in the end a lot of it wasn't important to me. I'm pretty flexible with a lot of things like IV's. Other things like the Hep B vax won't be happening no matter what they try to say or do.
I also need a short list so that DH doesn't forget anything.

Remember that no matter how complete your list, it will mean nothing if you don't speak up and let your attendants know what you want. My OB knows I don't want an episiotomy but I will also remind him when the time comes. Same thing with the cord clamping and etc.

[peilover010202]

The thing with a birth plan is it should allow for some flexibility in the event of an emergency.

So, for me, I have no forceps or vacuum except in the event of fetal distress, then I prefer vacuum.

I am okay with a hep-lock in case I start to run a fever and they need to administer IV antibiotics.

I don't mention food, I just eat in the hospital - we bring snacks for me. A dr will argue this point in case you need a c-section.

Also, most likely, if you're delivering in a hospital - they will one to do at least one internal to make sure you are fully dilated before you push. So, can you be flexible about that?

If you're in a hospital too, they will want to do periodic external monitoring, usually once an hour. Can you be flexible with that?

If baby isn't breathing, are you willing to let the staff take him rather than place on your chest?

I think your plan sounds good, but I know from personal experience that my dr has found the flexibility in my plan very helpful and otherwise wouldn't consider it to be feasible. He's not willing to risk my baby for my birth experience, KWIM? It's always good to let them know that you are prepared to be flexible in the event of an emergency.

I also made a note in my plan, that all emergency procedures were to be discussed with us before consent. But, most things like vacuum extraction, etc I have educated myself about beforehand so there isn't a delay.

[dkenagy]

I posted a couple weeks ago about revising my own birth plan, and I got some good responses. Here's a link to that thread:

Birth Plan Thread

HTH!
Darci

[rachdoll]

Thanks for your replies!

Originally Posted by peilover010202

The thing with a birth plan is it should allow for some flexibility in the event of an emergency.

Of course, and that will be addressed in my introduction on my actual plan. If there are complications or concerns, all bets are off. I feel quite lucky in that my mw and I have a personal relationship beyond her being my care provider, and we are fairly like-minded. She knows to talk with me about anything that may alter my plan, while I know that if an emergency arises, I do trust her to help me choose the best option. And, we'll go over my plan Friday at my appointment - figure out if she has issues with any of my specifics.

[peilover010202]

Great plan! Sorry, most of my post was irrelevant since you have a mid-wife, wasn't aware. GL!

[MAMom]

I posted my birth plan on a thread from the March DDC...here's the link March DDC Birth Plans

[rachdoll]

Here is my plan, thank you all for your input, I appreciate it, and enjoyed the links to reading other's plans. It feels good to have my plan done, one more thing I can cross off my list!

"My Birth Plan

(our names, midwife, family doc)

Due Date: 2/24/06

I have planned and am prepared for a peaceful and natural childbirth. I would very much like my labor and delivery to unfold naturally, with as few interventions as possible. I want to be informed about all procedures and tests before they are performed. I want to be aware and informed of all of my options in the event of an unexpected emergency.

My preferences:
-Labor and delivery will take place at Lakeland
-My daughter is to be allowed anywhere I am, so long as she wants to be there
-I do not want to be hooked up to any IVs
-I would like to labor in water, as well as have the option of walking, moving and changing positions freely
-I would like to eat and drink throughout labor
-I do not want pain medications mentioned to me at any time
-I want electronic external monitoring for baseline only and then held on intermittently to check on baby – I do not want any internal monitoring of the baby unless absolutely necessary!
-I would like to deliver in dim lighting
-I would like to push as my body tells me to, in whatever position feels best
-If labor needs to be strengthened, I would like to use natural methods (walking, nipple stimulation, etc.)
-I do not want an episiotomy, I would rather risk tearing
-I do not want forceps or vacuum extraction used (if need be, though, vacuum extraction is preferred)
-After birth I’d like my baby immediately placed on my chest to nurse
-Any newborn exams can be done after she nurses, and will be done in my presence
-I do not want the cord cut until blood stops pulsing through it
-I want my daughter to help cut the cord (if she wants to)
-I do not want the baby to be bathed until we can do it ourselves
-I would like the placenta delivered spontaneously
-I am refusing the eye drops, Vitamin K injection, and the Hep B vaccination for my baby
-I would like to stay in the hospital for as short of time as possible – one night at most

This plan is based on the birth experience of my dreams. I understand that issues can arise, and I do not expect this plan to be followed if there are any concerns. In case of an emergency, or any complications, all options are to be discussed with both me and my husband."

My midwife and I went over it, and she had some minor adjustments, based on hospital policy. But I am happy with how it looks, and now I will hope to have an experience as close to my plan as possible!