VBAC Birth Plans, anyone have one to share

[kaje62]

hey if you can post your vbac plan here, i and other mamas sure would appreciate it. thank you.

[stafl]

Dont have one yet, but will before too long. Actually I'm going to have two birth plans. One for my ideal perfect vaginal birth, and another just in case it's another emergency. There were so many things that if I had been in my right mind would have been done differently with #1.

[julie128]

Don't pm her; post your plan here, so everyone can benefit!

[kaje62]

I agree please post here.

[kindmomma]

Kaje62 asked me to post this here!

I have 2 totally different experiences with my VBACs. The first I was not well educated (I feel this is the key to 100% success). I mean you can have a VBAC and then you can have a birth experience VBAC KWIM? My first VBAC I was scared, terrified. But my dr made me so comfy that I did not stress too bad. But when I arrived at the hospital there was no way what I dreamed would happen. Yes, I successfully VBACed, but did I do it the way I wanted? NO
The second VBAC my idea going into it was this is my last baby and I am doing it the way I want!!!
So I found my midwives, hired a doula, drowned myself in VBAC knowledge (honestly I could teach a class on it), and vowed to never doubt myself at any point durning labor and birth. I believe in my soul that a positive outlook going into it would have a positive outcome. I also knew how toxic fear was to me going into labor. Gee I wish you had Ina Mae's spiritual midwifery she goes into this in depth. If you want I could copy the pages, do you have a fax macine. You really should read it.
Here was my birth plan for Anna
1st VBAC
I do not wish to have constant fetal monitoring, this will impair my movement which could stall labor which would cause more interventions.
I do not wish to have an epidural or any sort of pain relief offered to me by the staff once I have arrived, I am fully aware of my choices.
I do not wish to have an episiotomy preformed to deliver the baby quicker.
I want the baby to be delivered directly onto me and the cord attached until pulsing stops.
Blah blah blah
Sure you are tired of me by now.
With my midwives they told me make a birth plan if you want, but remember we are not OBs. They stay with you through most of your labor. Mine consisting of a grand 2 hours once I got to the hospital. But even though Josh had some issues during his very quick birth. She never cut me. That impresses me. I know with an OB that would have been the *first* thing that was done. She had faith in me, that was very special to me. The day after Joshua was born she visited me for quite a while and we talked and she said something I will never ever forget. She said "it is only once in a while I attend a birth that impresses me, let alone surprises me, your birth was amazing, thank you for allowing me to be with you" My midwife said that to ME! She has delivered tons of babies and she says labor and birth usually gets the best of women. She told me that it is rare for people to follow through and actually stick to their plan.
I stuck to mine, Joshuas birth was VERY important to me. It was my time to shine so to speak. I still cannot to this day watch the video with out bauling like a baby!
The best I can give you is do not be afraid, it is your worst enemy at this point. It is going to be intense, but in a good memorable way. You need to be upfront and serious about your choices. You need to trust yourself and the people you choose to be present. Let me know if you have any questions.

[Colorful~Mama]

well, heres mine :)

Birth Plan for Barbara and Thomas S.

My goal is to deliver my baby as safely and naturally as possible without medical interventions unless the benefits outweigh the risks. I believe I am responsible for making my birth experience a positive, safe experience, and I plan to participate along with my husband, labor assistant, and my care providers in making decisions about my labor, delivery and postpartum care. Listed below are my preferences; I understand that final decisions about my care will be discussed and agreed upon in the delivery room with my well-being and the safe delivery of my baby as the most important considerations. I agree to sign consent forms for those "routine" procedures I opt against.

Labor:

I would like my environment to have dimmed lights and to have voices respectfully lowered. I would also prefer to wear my own clothing. I will be doing hypnobirthing using cassette tapes in a walkman. Please allow me to use these for relaxation without interruption. I would prefer to not have residents or students walking in and out during my labor and delivery.

I would like to keep internal vaginal exams to a minimum.

I would like, if possible, that my amniotic membranes be allowed to rupture spontaneously.

I understand that I will be working REALLY hard. I would like to insist on access to fluids, like water, Recharge, Gatorade, Jell-O, Popsicles, and/or ice-chips.

If IV prep is necessary I would like a heparin/saline lock.

Since mobility is extremely important to me, I would like Intermittent Monitoring using a Doppler. I do not wish to have continuous EFM unless it is required by the condition of my baby.

I'd like a drug-free birth. Please do not offer medications. I adamantly do not want Pitocin unless my midwife, labor asst, and family have fully discussed the ramifications.

I would like the hospital staff to know that I may have my own personal style to birthing -- from walking, squatting, moaning, or grunting. I would like to utilize any position at feels appropriate. I would be grateful for the personal space to do this comfortably without feeling hushed or rushed.

During Transition my body may be most sensitive. If I am feeling that my persons or a staff members voice and/or touch is too much, I will indicate so.



Pushing and Delivery:

When I am fully dilated, I trust my body's instincts to push my baby out naturally. I would like to feel the urge to push before starting this phase.

As long as it is clear that my baby's heart tones are good and that he is receiving sufficient oxygen, I would like to be free of time limits on pushing.

I would like to avoid an episiotomy. To that end, I would like my midwife, labor asst or partner to support me with perineum support, compresses, and directed pushing to prevent tearing. I would like local anesthesia for any repairs (stitches).

I would like the baby to be placed on my chest to for warming. Please wait to cut cord until it stops pulsating. Chelsey, my 13 year old daughter will be the one to cut the cord.

I would like to deliver the placenta unassisted -- without Pitocin, uterine massage, or cord traction. If a procedure is necessary, please explain it to me.

I would like in room triage of my baby. I would like my daughters to visit with my newborn and me as soon as possible if they are not actually present at the birth which we hope they will both be.

Cesarean Section:

In the unlikely event that vbac is not successful please give us a moment if at all possible, for me to give my express consent before initiating any procedure. It is important to me that my partner be present with me at all times during the birth.

I would like to remain awake and aware at all times, avoiding a general anesthesia if possible.

Assuming my baby is well, I would like to touch, hold my baby, and nurse as soon as possible.

Please remove my IV and catheter as soon as possible following my baby’s birth.

Please provide me with nutritious food and drink as soon as possible.

Newborn Care:

With either a vaginal or cesarean birth, I would like to postpone ALL routine procedures until we have had time to bond with the baby.

If any additional procedures are necessary I would like them thoroughly explained to us.

I would like to Room-In with no separation from my baby.

I will be exclusively breastfeeding; please do not offer pacifier, artificial nipples, sugar water, or formula.

I will be declining the antibiotic eye drops. Please do NOT administer them to my baby.

I prefer that my baby is gently wiped down and wrapped. Do not bathe until we as a family ask you to do so.

I prefer not to have my baby receive a routine vitamin K shot until we are almost ready to be discharged.

I would like to postpone any immunizations until my regular pediatrician in her office can do them.

I would like to postpone PKU test until after my milk has come in.

We will not be having a hospital circumcision.


Sick Baby:

If G-d forbid, my baby is not well, please allow myself or my partner to accompany the baby if at all possible

I would like to breastfeed or provide pumped breast milk for my baby.

I would like unlimited visitation for myself and my husband.

I would like all procedures to be thoroughly explained to us.

*Discharge *

If all goes well with a normal vaginal delivery with no complications, I would like to be discharged from the hospital with my baby as quickly as possible.I understand that it is customary to keep the mother and child for 24 hours. I respectfully request that if at all possible the baby and I be checked and allowed to leave as soon as we're both ready to do so. I want to be home with my baby and would be willing to follow up with the birthing center and/or my own pediatrician the following day.


Thank you for your understanding of our wishes and for helping us to bring our baby into the world!

dats it. parts are "borrowed" from other websites and other mamas who've posted their plans. what do you think?

[weesej]

Barb. I think it is a great birth plan. One comment:

I prefer not to have my baby receive a routine vitamin K shot until we are almost ready to be discharged.

Vitamin K is given to prevent newborn hemmorhaggic disease. It is rare but can be life threatening when it happens. The worst case occur within the first 24 hours. If you wait until disacharge to get the Vit K and you are discharged anywhere after 6 hours PP or so, it is not going to be effective at prevanting the worst complications. You can also opt not to do it at all, or use oral Vit K, shown in Europe to be just as effective and less obtrusive, although you need to give multiple doses over a period of weeks. Feel free to PM me.

[kaje62]

stafl, did you do your birth plan yet?

i am almost done so I will post soon.

[kaje62]

Birth Plan for Kathy Jo, Jerome and Baby #2 Peterson (Due Date: 8.8.03)

We wish to share our hopes for the birth of our baby with the staff of Fairview University hospital. These decisions have been made after much research, consultation and thought. Your help in attaining these goals is very much appreciated. We understand that birth is unpredictable and trust in the expertise of the Midwives of University Specialists and nurses. You can be assured that in the unlikely event of complications, our full cooperation will be rendered after an informed discussion with the midwives has taken place and we have had adequate time for private discussion. We hope to birth our baby as safely and naturally as possible without medical interventions unless the benefits outweigh the risks. I understand that final decisions will be discussed and agreed upon in the delivery room with Kathy’s well-being and the safe birth of our baby as the most important considerations.

About us:
•Second baby (Charles Andrew - March 19, 2001)
•Miscarriage, 2000.
•Kathy is a WAHM whose primary focus is Charlie. She does some grant writing, marketing and selling on EBAY from home.
•Jerry is a painting contractor and owns his own business. He will take at least a week off after the baby is born.
•We are committed to as natural of a birth as possible.
•Kathy is the oldest of five and Jerry is the oldest of three.
•We have chosen Angelyn Rosemarie, (our mother’s Angela and Lynda) and Edward John (Kathy’s brother and Jerry’s father).

Our labor and delivery preferences:
•Labor companions will include doula Carrie Dunbar (and/or backup, Sarah Biermeyer) and possibly, Christa Bauman, friend and photographer. Jerry will be present at all times.
•Plan to use tub for comfort, prefer room (462 & 460) with larger tubs as she’s a bigger woman.
•Kathy prefers the room to be dimly lit, calm and quiet. We will provide our own music. She requests to not be interrupted during contractions.
•Kathy prefers to not have residents or students during labor and delivery.
•Vaginal exams only upon consent, as few and as gently as possible to avoid premature rupture of membranes.
•Kathy hopes to change positions when need be, walk around as much as possible, squat, be on all fours, use tub, shower, etc. (prefer not to have bed broken apart)
•Since mobility is important, Kathy would like Intermittent Monitoring for as long as possible. During active labor she would like a waterproof telemetry for monitoring.
•Wish to not have constant fetal monitoring, which will impair her movement and may stall labor which would cause more interventions.
•Kathy may wish to drink tea and juice and have Popsicles that she will provide for nausea or exhaustion. She may also wish light snacks during the first stage of labor.
•Please do not offer pain medication. We hope to avoid the use of all medication.
•If she needs an IV, she prefers heparin or a saline lock.
•When she is fully dilated, she will trust her body's instincts to push the baby out naturally. She would like to feel the urge to push before starting this phase.
•Kathy prefers to not be coached in pushing or contractions, except during crowning she welcomes staff coaching and assistance for slow, natural pushes to avoid tearing.
•As long the baby's heart tones are good and that the baby is receiving sufficient oxygen, she would like to be free of time limits on pushing.
•She prefers perineal massage with oil by midwives and hot compresses by her doula or Jerry rather than episiotomy. Kathy would rather tear a bit than an episiotomy.
•Kathy prefers to not have artificial rupture of membranes.
•Jerry will announce gender and will place baby skin-to-skin on Kathy, immediately following the birth with cord attached and he will cut the cord after pulsing stops.
•Please do not wipe the baby’s hands.
•Kathy would like to breastfeed immediately, or shortly following the birth.
•It is our hope that this will be sufficient to control bleeding, as Kathy prefer’s not to receive pitocin, uterine massage or pulling on the cord unless bleeding is excessive.
•Please delay all routine exams and procedures and perform in mother’s room; weighing, vitamin k, antibiotic eye ointment, etc. until at least one hour after the birth to allow time for bonding.
•To protect the baby’s eyes, please no bright lights during bonding.
•If warming required, mother will hold baby on chest with blankets.
•Mother or father will bathe new baby in the tub with them.
•If there are complications during or after labor, we prefer to be informed immediately. If the baby needs to be taken from the room, Jerry will go with the baby and doula will stay with Kathy.
•If stitching of perineum necessary, please use local anesthetic.
•Kathy and Jerry ask that the baby not receive sugar water, formula, water or pacifier.
•Newborn to stay with parents at all times, not in the nursery, please.
•If baby is a boy, no circumcision.
•We would like all phone calls held until we inform staff we are ready for phone calls.
•Jerry to stay over with mother for first night, prefer double bed.

C-Section:
•If Kathy has c-section, she prefers a spinal if time permits and wishes for Jerry and Doula to be present in the operating room.
•Kathy and Jerry prefer to hold baby immediately after c-section if baby is doing well and baby to stay with parents for first feeding, breast feeding.
•Delay all routine procedures until after.
•Please remove IV and catheter as soon as possible following baby’s birth.

We thank you in advance for your support and kind attention to our choices. We look forward to a wonderful birth.

[kindmomma]

that is amazing!

That has got to be the best birth plan I have ever read! Thank you so much for sharing that Kathy-Jo. Pleas elt us know how it goes, I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts! I know it will be great

PS Did you ever read that book?

[kaje62]

i am 3/4 done mama.
gotta go night night
love ya

[julie128]

Today, I went to my followup hypnosis appointment with my HypnoBirthing instructors (not all do this, btw), and, as I was leaving and telling her that I would have my Birth Prefs ready the next time we met, she mentioned that a doc she knows recommends writing them by hand rather than typing them. This is because when you hand write, your intentions are much more on the page, and those reading the prefs (docs, nurses, doulas) will take them more seriously, in addition to your body following the intentions of your hand. Anyway, I wrote up my rough draft today. After my ob and I discuss them on Wednesday, I'll post them.

[kindmomma]

Julie:
right on momma! You are on the right track
I did hypnobirthing too. It is awesome, really works. I agree with your instructor. I hand wrote my birth plans. It gives them a personal touch, a connection to you and the person reading it. Very intimate IMO
Sound like you are going to do well! Please follow up and let us know.
You CAN
YOU WILL

[stafl]

Here it is!

I wanted to keep it to one page, so maybe they'd actually read it!!! LOL! (it looks longer here than on paper, though)
I will go over it with my OB in case I don't make it to The Farm in time to deliver, and also with my doula and midwives... Anyone have comments or suggestions, please speak up! (I apologize ahead of time if the formatting is off, I just copied and pasted it and tried to fix the line breaks and such...)

Birth Plan for Stacy F. DOB 02/26/1969 EDD 11/26/2003
Please note: my bloodtype is O negative and I am allergic to Sulfa meds

• I prefer to VBAC without any medications whatsoever and as few medical interventions as possible.
• I would like dim lights and voices kept low at all times.
• I do not want to be offered any pain medications. If I do request pain medication, please refrain from administering any drugs until I have requested them three times.
• I would like to move around, to labor and birth in any position that feels right to me.
• I would like to be allowed to eat and drink during labor.
• I do not want continuous fetal monitoring except in the event of an emergency.
• If any medications or other interventions are deemed absolutely necessary due to a risk to baby or myself, I want to be fully advised about the risks associated with accepting or
  declining such before making my decision.
• I wish to avoid an episiotomy. I would prefer someone perform perineal massage and apply counter-pressure during the pushing process.
• I do not want the umbilical cord clamped and cut until after it has stopped pulsating.
• I do want baby immediately placed on my chest following delivery.
• I would like time to bond with my baby and establish the nursing relationship before any tests or medical treatments are administered.
• Baby will remain with a parent (either myself or my husband) at all times.
• Please do not put ointment in my baby’s eyes. I have been tested for STDs and am not infected.
• Please do not give my baby any supplemental bottles or pacifiers without my consent.
• Do not offer to take baby to nursery for any non-emergency reason.
• If baby is a boy, I do not wish to circumcise.
• PKU testing and any necessary vaccinations (with the exception of Vit K) will be done at my pediatrician’s office after we leave the hospital.
• My older child shall be allowed to remain with me at any and all times, including labor and delivery, if she so desires.

In the event of an emergency c-section:

• Please remain respectful of my wishes as outlined above.
• I wish to be kept fully informed of all my options in the matter, and kept abreast of what is happening to me and my baby at all times.
• I do not want my arms strapped down.
• Please refrain from chit-chat during and immediately following the operation.
• Please use a double-layer suture to close the incision on my uterus.
• Please do not use staples to close the outer incision.
• Please take measures to ensure that adhesions are not formed as a result of the surgery, including but not limited to the use of adhesion prevention product(s) near the incision site and any visible endometriosis lesions.
• I do wish to nurse my baby immediately following delivery, even if that means having someone else hold and position baby properly.
• If possible, I would like baby evaluated, tested, and cleaned while laying on my chest before I am taken to recovery.

(edited to add one more thing)

[kaje62]

beautiful birth plan stafl

[its_our_family]

WOW!

thank you so much!! I'm ready to start writing mine...i have awhile yet but i know i'll write and rewrite it 40 times!

Can I borrow from the ones posted here...since i know i wouldn't have thought about all of it??

[kaje62]

absolutely that's why we posted them here.

[its_our_family]

I'm not worried about my mw but the back up obs..there is one that willnot let you labor in the birthing ceneter but will only allow you to be admitted into l&d and I have a feeling he just will NOT listen me at all...I wish I could afford a doula for just in case....

Oh well, hopefully a really detailed plan will be sufficient!

[kaje62]

have you tried to try a doula in training.
that can be a great asset
what city are you in?

[its_our_family]

I am in newport news Va....I should ask my mw about a doula in training..... I would think they would know!