~Our Birth Plan ~
We finalized our birth plan last night & this morning I printed it out on cute little baby footprint paper. It think we did a good job of sharing our desires, but not appearing inflexible to the hospital staff.
Our Family Birth Plan
Mom’s name: Brenda
Baby’s name: Elliot
Coach/Dad: C
Attendandt/Grandma: S
Due Date: May 12, 2005
Thank you for your assistance & participation in our childbirth. We recognize that a birth plan is only a guideline for our preferences and that flexibility is required due to the unpredictable nature of childbirth. We ask that we be given a few minutes alone to discuss any and all procedures, medications, interventions etc. If there are items in our birth plan that cannot be accommodated please let us know immediately so that we may anticipate the change.
Labor
- It is my goal to have an unmedicated labor - please do not offer pain medications, I will ask for them if I need them.
- Encouragement by the staff and doctor to deliver without pain medication is greatly appreciated and any help or advice to accomplish this goal is welcome.
- I wish to be able to move around, walk, and change position at will throughout labor.
- I would like to have fluids by mouth, and would prefer a saline lock in case IV becomes necessary.
- I would like intermittent monitoring unless continuous monitoring becomes required by the condition of the baby.
- I do not want an internal monitor unless Elliot has shown some sign of distress.
- I prefer not to have my membranes ruptured artificially, if the staff or the doctor feels that it would be to my benefit or that of the baby we would like to be given a few minutes in private to discuss it.
- If labor isn’t progressing, I prefer the membrane be ruptured before other methods are used to augment labor.
- I prefer to be allowed to try changing position and other natural methods of labor augmentation before receiving pitocin.
- I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for the baby’s safety.
Cesarean
- Unless absolutely necessary, I would like to avoid a Cesarean Section.
- If the doctor determines that a Cesarean is indicated, we would like time in private to discuss it.
- I wish to have an epidural for anesthesia if a cesarean is indicated.
Delivery
- I would like my husband and my mother to support me and my legs during the pushing stage.
- If I am fully dilated, and Elliot is not in distress; I would like to wait to push until I feel the urge.
- I would like to have Elliot placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
Immediately after Delivery
- I would like to have my husband Charlie cut the cord.
- I would like to hold Elliot while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
- I prefer to hold Elliot rather than have him placed under heat lamps.
Breastfeeding
- I plan to breastfeed and would like to begin nursing immediately or as soon as possible after birth.
- Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to Elliot.
Circumcision
- We would like Elliot to be circumcised before we check out of the hospital.
