VBAC Birth Plans, anyone have one to share - Page 3

[blackberrymama]

Wow, these birth plans are so great to read! So many details I would never have thought to mention and certainly would have forgotten in the moment. I wasn't even really planning to write one, but now I think I should start cutting and pasting like mad.

But I must say, I was always given the impression (by my previous doula, midwife, birth class instructor, etc.) that providers don't really care about birth plans and may or may not respect them, and that detailed birth plans even annoy them to a point that might make things more difficult for you. In Stafl's birth plan she mentioned requesting that staff not chit-chat before or after a c-section (if a c-section were to happen) and while I WISH I had thought to request something like that during my son's birth (nothing made me feel more invisible and like less of a person than having the staff talk about their recent vacations while I was strapped to the table crying my eyes out!) it seems like a request like that would surely annoy them, like, "Who does this woman think she is, telling us what we are or are not allowed to talk about while we're working?!?"

Have you folks had good experiences with having your birth plans honored? Do you have recommendations for wording or item limits or anything that might help a birth plan go down more smoothly? Have I been completely misinformed about how birth plans are received by providers???

[Megs Mom]

When I went in for the twins, the nurses immediately asked me if I had a plan they could look over. I took that as a good sign. I had discussed it with my OB ahead of time, and she signed it, so I knew before I went in what would be do-able.

This time, my doula suggests a very brief first page with the most important elements on it, phrased very briefly. She's also going to make a couple of signs for the door (like dark, quiet and cool, please!)

[all boys]

Here is what we wrote up for our vbac in Dec 2002...based largely on what we "knew" to expect from the hospital policies.

The information contained in our Birth Preferences includes our desires and wishes for how we would like to see the birth of our child proceed. We understand that there is no way to “plan” his birth and that unexpected circumstances can arise. We ask that in such circumstances we be included in the discussion of the potential risks, benefits and the necessity of the procedure/intervention being proposed. We request the opportunity to have private time to consider such changes to our preferences.

FIRST STAGE LABOR

•Husband (Brian) and doula (Gina xxxx/or back up) present at all times
•Use of telemetry unit during active labor if monitoring is need.
•Room preference is a birthing room equipped with a tub/shower, a birthing bar, and a birth ball.
•Bring and utilize comfort measures such as music, hypnotherapy tapes, etc.
•Vaginal exams only upon mother’s consent, as few and as gentle as possible to avoid premature rupture of water membranes.
•Request that birthing room be dimly lit, no excess hospital staff, door to room kept closed, and privacy when requested.
•Freedom to move and walk around during labor.
•Use of tub or shower as desired.
•Liberty to consume clear juice/liquids, popsicles, ice chips, hard candy, etc.
•No augmentation of labor via artificial rupture of membranes or use of Pitocin without discussion and consent of mother.
•Please do not offer any pain medication.

SECOND STAGE OF LABOR

•Choice of positions for birthing.
•Room to remain dimly lit during delivery and bonding.
•Freedom to touch baby during delivery.
•Mother directed instinctive pushing rather than coach directed.
•Request that crowning stage be taken slowly with freedom to use compresses rather than episiotomy.
•Request that father assist in “catching” the baby.
•After suctioning, baby to be placed immediately on mother’s abdomen, skin to skin contact.
•Father to cut the cord when pulsating of the cord has stopped.
•Local anesthesia should there be tearing in need of repair.
•Private time for family bonding after delivery.

AFTER BIRTH

•Please perform all physical exams and weighing in room with parents present.
•Baby to be fed via formula/bottle feeding.
•Request that routine procedures and exams be delayed until after bonding time (appx. 1 hr).
•Bathing to occur in room in presence of parents.
•No pacifiers.
•If warming required, place baby on mother’s chest with blankets.
•In case of life threatening complications for baby or mother, request that Chaplin be called.

BIRTH PREFERENCES IF CESAREAN IS NECESSARY

DELIVERY

•Discuss medical reasons for cesarean.
•Husband and doula allowed in OR at all times including surgical prep.
•Doctor to narrate procedure and hold up baby for viewing after delivery.
•Photography by doula.
•Use of spinal instead of general anesthesia.

AFTER BIRTH

•Father to hold baby after birth, and place against mother’s cheek.
•Mother to have a minimum of one hand free/unstrapped following delivery in order to touch baby.
•Baby’s health to be judged on own merit. No special nursery care unless necessary and parents allowed to participate in decision-making process.
•Baby to room in with mother. No nursery visits unless requested.
•Please perform all physical exams and weighing in room with mother and father present.
•Request that routine procedures and exams be delayed until after bonding time (appx 1 hr).
•Bathing to occur in room in presence of mother.
•No pacifiers.
•In case of life threatening complications for baby or mother, request that Chaplin be called.

[Megs Mom]

Hey, Cynthia, come visit us on the March due dates forum!