I wrote a brief birth plan to give to my providers outlining what I expect at my birth. I'm trying to keep it very short and concise. Anything that seems unneccessary to you? Anything important I forgot to add? Thanks!!



The following people may come to my home during the labor or birth:
My husband
Our younger son (nearly three years old) who is very excited about witnessing the birth.
Our older son (nearly 11 years old) who does not want to witness the birth. He intends to wait downstairs at my mother’s apartment until after the third stage and initial cleanup.
My mother, who lives in the apartment below us, and my sister. Carol and Lorie will be responsible for my children and will be willing to help out with support/errands/cleanup.

During labor:
I hope to maintain a quiet and relaxing atmosphere during labor. Please remind anyone present to keep conversations and distractions to a minimum.
I plan to labor in water and would like to have a water birth if it feels right at the time. I have a pool ready for this purpose.
It is important that the pool temperature is comfortable for me so, unless it is outside normal safety limits, I will choose the temperature myself.
I would like to keep internal exams to a minimum.

During the birth:
I would rather not have an internal examination to confirm whether or not I am ready to push. If there is any reason to suspect that I might have a premature pushing urge then I would like to discuss this on the day.
I would like to push to my own comfort level without direction, unless perineal damage seems imminent. If your guidance can help me avoid tearing, I’d appreciate advice.
I would like the lights dimmed when my baby is born, and for the minimum amount of noise to be made.

After the birth:
Please do not announce the baby's sex as I would like to find out for myself
When my baby is born, please pass him or her straight to me. I want to maintain constant skin contact and initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible.
We wish to delay cord clamping and have a non-managed third stage of labor. I probably will want to keep the placenta.
We do not wish to have eye ointment administered and may decline vitamin K if the birth is non-traumatic.

In case of hospital transfer:
I wish to stick as closely to the home birth plan as possible and only have those interventions that are absolutely necessary.
It is extremely important that my baby stay in my arms as much as possible. I or my husband will accompany our baby at all times.
We want our baby to recieve no artificial nipples and only breastmilk and no circumcision!

What about AROM? Esecpially if you have to transfer. Anything like pku, vaxes, hearing tests (in case of transfer), if those are important to you. I typically include stuff that very important to me and just bullet point them and keep them short.

Under no Circumstances:
- Circumsicion
- PKU
- Hep B vax
- Eye drops

That way. Less to read through if you do transfer or if someone needs to find something quickly in the birth plan.

I also include phone numbers to the nearest hospital (my midwife calls ahead that there is a transfer coming it and this saves time).

My midwife has attended me so many time and we think pretty much the same anyhow so my birth plan is more in case of transfer and for any apprenctices or other midwives with her that don't know me as well.

Michelle

your birth plans reads like what should be standard at every homebirth, Molly. Quick question - are you feeling like these things need to be outlined for your MW or other birth attendants because they NEED to be told this or has she asked you to make up a birth plan? Just wondering since my birth plan read more like a couple of sentences strung together last time... Which basically said "DH and I will be laboring alone as much as possible. Keep voices and lights low. When we need help we'll ask you. Help ensure an intact perineum through support, warm compresses, olive oil, and encouraging gentle pushing. If you find yourself with a free hand, take a picture... We have 3 cameras available for birth time." And that was about it. I felt that everything had been discussed prior to birth that I wasn't worried about someone announcing the baby's sex or having to fight/discuss why we were declining the Vit K and eye drops.

My transfer birth plan was much different though. It explained that we were transfering to the hospital from planning a homebirth and hoped that we would be treated with as much respect and dignity as the situation would allow. Like Michelle suggested the rest of desires (dare I say "demands") were bulleted under the heading UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES. I'll try to find a copy of it, if you'd like.