birth plans

[amanda2b2]

Does anyone know of a site that has examples of birth plans or layouts? Anything like that? I want to start writting mine up but am not evne sure where to start. I will be having the baby at a free standing birth center or possibly at home so idon't really need one of those generic plans like on babyzone. TIA!

[mom2threenurslings]

How about this?

We believe that pregnancy, labor & birth are natural life processes and have chosen to give birth in a safe, familiar, and comfortable environment – our home. We have chosen midwives ****and ***** to attend the birth, provide support, attend to any complications, and advocate for us as needed. We have also chosen to have our children at the birth because to us, birth and the welcoming of a new family member into the world is a family event. It is our wish that **** & *** have full access to Mama unless otherwise specified by her. Also attending the birth are **** (child care and videography), *** (child care, support for Mama as needed) and *** (child care, photography).
The following birth plan is for all attending the birth. It is an outline of what we would like to happen, but may change during Mama’s labor and birth.
- We will notify those attending the birth that labor has begun and will call again when we would like people to come to our house.
- Mama prefers to labor alone. DH & the kids will have open access to Mama and others will have access at Mama or DH's discretion.
- *********** are the care providers for *** and ****. Please keep them entertained with walks outside, board games, books, computer games, DVDs, etc. Please try to keep them upstairs as much as possible (toys, books, games, tv/dvd and computer are all upstairs) and feel free to bring food and drink upstairs (even if the kids tell you it’s not allowed!).
- We prefer no internal exams - please follow emotional signposts and allow Mama to listen to and follow her body. If an internal exam is required, please discuss with Mama first.
- Please remind Mama to empty her bladder every hour and eat and drink as needed.
- Mama plans to birth in the water – the water heater will be turned up very high so watch out! There is a Python hose from the sink to the birth pool to empty and fill the pool as needed.
- **** is the birth photographer and is encouraged to take pictures of Mama and all present during the labor and birth.
- Mama would like all attending the birth to be present to witness the actual birth. DH will call everyone into the room when the time comes. Please allow the children to have front row seats. If taking pictures, no flash, please, as it will be disturbing to Mama and baby.
- Mama plans to birth in the pool in whatever position feels best to her.
- We would prefer the lights be dimmed and noises kept to a minimum during the birth. It is important to us that our new baby hear our voices first and that we discover baby’s gender on our own. Please do not announce baby's gender.
- Mama would like to catch the baby if possible or have DH or one of the midwives assist her in catching the baby. She would like to nurse as soon as possible after birth.
- We ask that the cord not be clamped or cut until the cord stops pulsing and that Mama cut the cord when she is ready.
- We ask that the placenta be delivered naturally (no pitocin or traction) if possible. Please show it to Mama (and the kids if they’re interested) and save it.
- Please do not suction the baby unless completely necessary. Please do this and any other unavoidable procedures with baby on Mama’s chest if possible.
- No eye drops, vitamin K, or vaccinations. We will also delay PKU testing until it is effective.
- Do not wash the baby. We will give baby his or her first bath.
- Please allow private family bonding time for baby, Mama, Daddy, and kids after the birth. During this time feel free to prepare (or go out and get) a meal – Mama will soon be hungry!

HOSPITAL BIRTH OR TRANSFER
If a hospital birth or transfer is necessary, the following are additions to the terms outlined in the previous birth plan:

- DH and the midwives will remain with Mama at all times and the kids and their caregivers as much as possible. Do not allow medical students and extraneous persons to be present.
- We request NO enema, shaving, medication, IV, heparin lock, x-rays, augmentation of labor, artificial rupture of membranes or electronic fetal monitoring.
- We request that Mama be allowed to move about freely and labor and birth in the positions of her choosing and that the room be kept quiet with dim lighting.
- Do not offer drugs for pain relief.
- No internal exams. If unavoidable, only with Mama’s consent.
- No episiotomy, use of forceps, or vacuum extraction.
- Unless 100% necessary we request the cord not be clamped or cut until the cord is no longer pulsing and that Mama cut the cord if possible. If possible, no augmentation of placental delivery.
- Do not announce baby’s gender – let us discover that for ourselves.
- If warming is necessary, please place the baby on Mama or Daddy and cover with blankets.
- Baby is to immediately be given to Mama and remain with her during delivery of the placenta, breastfeeding and any necessary baby care.
- No bottles, pacifiers, dextrose water, water, or artificial nipples of any kind. We will BREASTFEED ONLY.
- No eye ointment, vitamin K, or vaccinations. We will also delay PKU testing until it is effective.
- No visits to the nursery. If unavoidable, baby will be accompanied by Daddy at all times. Rooming in please.
- If baby is a boy – do not circumcise!
- We would like an early discharge barring complications.
- In the event of an emergency cesarean section we ask that Jim and midwives be present. We also ask that the 2 rows of stitches be applied versus the 1 row routinely performed. Once baby has been delivered and checked for problems we ask that Daddy be given the baby until mom can take over. If baby must be transferred to NICU we ask that Daddy remain with the baby.

[amanda2b2]

That is amazing! Thank you. ONe question what is the difference between the one row of stitches for a section and two?

[mom2threenurslings]

From what I understand, many OBs do one row of stitches because it's easier and faster, but two rows (which they always used to do) is better because it's stronger and poses less risks of problems down the line. I have more specific info on this at home (I'm at my parents' right now) ... I'll try to remember to post it when I get home!