Birth Plan 101

We have a doctors appointment tomorrow with the GYN. We want to go over our Birth Plan, which is more like birth suggestions. Andrew feels strongly about being able to keep her with us after the birth, unless there are complications, and I agree. I am very comfortable with our OB-GYN team and hope they are open to our active birth desires. Depending on how this meeting goes, we may need to find a doctor or midwife who is more pro-active birthing and affiliated with a respectable hospital.

Taking the Bradley birth classes have really opened our eyes about all the advantages and possibilities associated with a natural childbirth. Of course, our goal is to have a safe, healthy and uncomplicated birthing experience, and we both understand that sometime life throws you a curve ball and you need to react. We both want to be informed and are prepared to make those decisions if and when they arise.


Ilona and Andrew's Birth Plan

ATTENDANTS AND AMENITIES

I'd also like:
• To bring music
• To dim the lights
• To take pictures and/or film during labor and delivery

LABOR

I'd like the option of returning home if I'm not in active labor.

Once I'm admitted, I'd like:
• My partner to be allowed to stay with me at all times
• Only my practitioner, nurse, and guests present (i.e., no residents, medical students, or other hospital personnel)
• To eat if I wish to
• To stay hydrated by drinking clear fluids instead of having an IV
• To walk and move around as I choose

As long as the baby and I are doing fine, I'd like:
• To have intermittent rather than continuous electronic fetal monitoring.
• To be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits.

If they're available, I'd like to try:
• A birthing stool
• A birthing chair
• A squatting bar

When it's time to push, I'd like to:
• Do so instinctively

I'd like to try the following positions for pushing (and birth):
• Semi-reclining
• Side-lying position
• Whatever feels right at the time

As long as my baby and I are doing fine, I'd like the pushing stage to be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits

PAIN RELIEF

I'd like to try the following pain-management techniques:
• Bath/shower
• Breathing techniques/distraction
• Massage

Please don't offer me pain medication. I'll request it if I need it.

VAGINAL BIRTH

I'd like:
• To view the birth using a mirror
• To touch my baby's head as it crowns
• The room to be as quiet as possible
• To risk a tear rather than have an episiotomy

After birth, I'd like:
• To hold my baby right away, putting off any procedures that aren't urgent
• To breastfeed as soon as possible
• To wait until the umbilical cord stops pulsating before it's clamped and cut
• Not to get routine oxytocin (Pitocin) after I deliver the placenta

POSTPARTUM

After delivery, I'd like:
• All newborn procedures to take place in my presence
• My partner to stay with the baby at all times if I can't be there
• To stay in a private room
• To have a cot provided for my partner

I plan to:
• Breastfeed exclusively

The following can be offered to my baby:
• Please don't offer anything to my baby at any point

I'd like my baby fed:
• On demand

I'd like:
• 24-hour rooming-in with my baby