Birth Plan

It's getting to be that time, time to either think about what my preferences for the birth of this baby are, or to put it off a little longer. I thought about it and I typed something up.

I didn't have any preferences written for the birth of my son and I know now that I should have. Neither my husband nor myself is very confrontational - in fact, we're so UNconfrontational that we find it difficult to question people we look to as "experts." So, writing preferences down ahead of time seems like a good way to avoid a situation where we feel pressured to accept what the hospital staff is telling us to do. Also, when Jonas was born my husband had been up sick ALL NIGHT the night before my water broke and was still quite under the weather throughout our time at the hospital. He wasn't a whole lot of help - not that I can blame him for that! So, God forbid that should happen again, having my preferences written down helps advocate for me if my husband can't.

My birth story with Jonas isn't terrible, I just think it could have gone better. With that experience in my past and friends' stories, I decided it couldn't hurt to have a birth plan this time around.

Without further ado, here is my birth plan - well, preferences really. Do you think I missed anything important?

 

Birth Preferences

Rebecca Triemstra

Due Date: 11/11/11

Doctor: Dr. Christina Bennett-Stewart

Attendants

I’d like my husband, Nate to be present throughout labor and delivery.

My mother, Pam, may also be present at times during labor.

Hospital Admission & Procedures

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

Once Admitted, I’d like to:

            - try to stay hydrated by drinking clear fluids instead of having an IV; I am willing

               to have a heparin block should the need for an IV arise

            - walk and move around

Interventions

As long as the baby and I are doing fine, I’d like to:

            - have intermittent rather than continuous fetal monitoring

            - avoid internal fetal monitoring unless is the baby is really in distress

            - be allowed to progress without stringent time limits

                        * including in the case of my water breaking before labor

            - have labor augmented only if absolutely necessary and have all options

              discussed with me before Pitocin is administered

Pain Relief

I’d like to try the following pain-management techniques:

            - massage

            - shower

            - medication

                        * I would like to try to labor medication free, but I am not opposed to

                          using it if necessary. I will ask for it if I need it.

                        * Please let me know when I have progressed enough to get an epidural

                           and please let me know when I’m approaching the point when I can no

                           longer receive one.

Vaginal Birth

During Delivery:

I would like to be coached on when to push and how long.

I do not want an episiotomy unless it is an emergency for the baby.

            - If it is deemed an emergency I would like to be told before the procedure is done

After Delivery:

I’d like my husband to cut the umbilical cord.

C-Section

I would not like a c-section unless absolutely necessary.

In the case that one is necessary, I would like my husband to be present and to have the baby given to him as soon as possible.

Post Partum

I would like for either my husband or myself to be present for any examinations of the baby and for the first bath.

Feeding

I plan to breastfeed.

I will request the lactation consultant if I feel it’s necessary.

Visitors

I would like to be able to decide when I receive visitors (within visitation hours).

Discharge

I would like to wait and see how I feel before deciding about the timing of discharge.