Joined
·
3,200 Posts
I posted a while ago about making a homebirth birth plan. I found this site: http://www.homebirth.org.uk/plan.htm
And kind of worked off of it. Here's mine. (Warning, it's way long.
![]()
)
Quote:
So did I miss anything?
![]()
And kind of worked off of it. Here's mine. (Warning, it's way long.
Quote:
| In General: Ideally, if all goes smoothly, I hope that the midwife who attends me in labor will remain in the background, taking observations to check on the baby's and my safety, but otherwise not getting involved in my labor unless I request otherwise. I believe that I know how to give birth on my own, but appreciate the security of having a midwife there to help with the unexpected or emergency situations. The Labor: I would like to remain active and use whatever position I find comfortable. Please encourage me to stay off my back. I may wish to move throughout the house and to use the shower from time to time. I would like to avoid internal examinations if possible, unless there is a particular reason why you think one is necessary. Please do not offer to break my water, and please be very careful to avoid doing so during any internal exams. If the baby appears to be poorly positioned or labor is not progressing well for some reason, I would appreciate it if you could suggest changes of position or movements which might help. I would like to be encouraged to eat and drink during labor to keep up my energy. I would like to have warm towels available. Kevin or other family can put towels in the dryer in case I get cold. I would also like to have ice and cold water available if I am hot. Birth Companions The following people may come to my home during the labor or birth: My husband, Kevin. My daughter, Anneke. My mother, Nancy, who will be caring for Anneke. My sisters, Claire and Ruth. My father, Steve. Birth Pool I have purchased La Bassine birth pool and would like to have a water birth if possible and would appreciate your support in encouraging me to give birth in the water. I would also appreciate it if you could advise my husband and family as to when to fill up the pool. Pain relief Please do not offer pain relieving drugs unless I ask for them. The birth: I do not wish to have an internal exam to confirm whether or not I am "ready" to push. I will only push when I physically cannot do otherwise. If there is any reason to suspect that I might have a premature pushing urge then I would like to discuss it at the time. Please keep the room as quiet as possible during the second stage. I would like to minimize distractions at the time. If you need to discuss matters with an assistant, please do so very quietly and out of earshot. I would like to give birth in the birth pool on the porch, but I may feel more comfortable in our bed, outside or on the floor. I would like to give birth in an upright, kneeling, or supported squatting position to give the baby maximum space to descent through my pelvis. I do not want to be on my back or semi-reclining unless that position seems right for me at the time, having tried alternatives. If I am too tired to maintain an upright position, then please encourage me to lie on my side instead of my back, to allow maximum mobility in my pelvis. I would like Kevin to "catch" the baby, and would prefer the midwife simply to observe and not to intervene unless it is an emergency. If he does not feel comfortable doing this at the time, I would prefer to catch the baby myself. I would rather not be told how to push, or guided in the second stage, unless there is a particular reason to suppose that I need assistance, or unless I ask for assistance. I would like to see and feel the head as it crowns, and Kevin will have a hand mirror available for this. I would like the lights dimmed when my baby is born, and for the minimum amount of noise to be made. I hope that it will be a gently entry into the world. Please do not suction the mucus from the baby's nose and mouth "just in case." Only suction if necessary. Please do not announce the baby's sex as I would like Kevin to find out. Third Stage I would like to delay the clamping of the cord until it stops pulsating. I wish no drugs to be used unless specifically indicated. It is important to me that you do not clamp the cord until it has stopped pulsating unless you need to take emergency steps which preclude this. Please do not pull on the cord or use fundal pressure unless there is a specific indication to do so. If I give birth in the pool, I would like to get out of the water for the third stage. Please offer Kevin the opportunity to cut the cord if possible. We do not wish to keep the placenta. Care of the Baby I would like to breastfeed my baby as soon as possible after the birth. I would like to keep the baby unclothed and close to my skin immediately after the birth, to maximize skin-to-skin contact. Please do not administer vitamin K after the birth. If the birth is traumatic for the baby or there is some other risk factor, I will be happy to discuss this at the time and allow Vitamin K if we both decide it is appropriate. I would like to avoid bathing the baby after birth and just gently wiping him/her down if necessary. We will not be circumcising. Repair of the perineum (if needed) I would prefer to avoid having stitches if possible, so if you think any tear will heal of its own accord, without stitches, please let me know. In case of transfer to the hospital If transfer by ambulance becomes necessary, please do not strap me in on my back - I would prefer to be on my side, to make contractions easier to deal with. I would like to keep an open mind about my pain relief options; please suggest anything you think would be appropriate. I do not agree to student doctors being present during my treatment. I would, of course, like to avoid a c-section if it is at all possible. I particularly would like to avoid a c-section just for slow progress. If labor is simply taking a long time but my baby is not in immediate danger, please would you encourage me to keep going and perhaps to try to changes of position or movements which might help. Please do not offer a caesarean unless my baby is in danger. If a c-section becomes necessary, I would prefer to remain awake with epidural or spinal block anesthesia. I would like my partner to stay with me, and would like to breastfeed the baby as soon as possible. I would like Kevin to stay with the baby at all times. If I suffer a severe post-partum hemorrhage, please do not perform a hysterectomy unless it is the only available course of action. Please do not admit my baby to Special Care simply for observation, but only if there is a specific reason for concern. I would like Kevin to stay with the baby at all times. Baby feeding Please do not give my baby supplements of glucose water or formula without my permission. I would expressly like to avoid having any formula supplements unless it is unavoidable, and certainly not in the first two days in any event. Under no circumstances is my baby to be bottle-fed. If supplements are necessary, please give them by spoon or other method, not by bottle. Going home I would like to go home as soon after the birth as I am able to move, unless I or the baby have health problems which require hospital treatment. |
