Planning the Birth of Your Little Melon

When my husband and I began to really think about the birthing process, we decided a class was in our best interest. I knew very little about birth, and I wanted to be prepared, but mostly I wanted support from others with similar expectations for their birthing process. I never did well in hospitals and they always made me anxious. So I researched home births and natural births and decided on taking a Bradley Method class. The Bradley Method of natural childbirth teaches you prenatal nutrition and exercise, relaxation, birth plans, and so much more about the birthing process in a twelve week course. I highly recommend researching classes you think will benefit you during your pregnancy. Taking a class can really open your eyes to many topics and issues you may not have considered and can help you develop a birth plan. My husband and I ended up deciding on a hospital birth, as natural as possible (i.e. un-medicated vaginal birth).

Write the details of your “ideal birth” on your birth plan but be sure to have realistic expectations. Birth plans should be used as a guide, and it’s important to include what you would do in alternative situations should the need arise (i.e. we included what we would want if I were to need a cesarean, even though I wanted to avoid at all costs). Discuss your birth plan with your care provider. It gives you both an opportunity to address any concerns and helps them understand your expectations. We found it helpful to include the pediatrician’s information on our birth plan. It came in handy more than once. Below is our birth plan outlining our wishes. I hope it helps you when creating yours!

Family Birth Plan

Mother-to-be: Noel

Husband: Zac                    

Due Date: 12/20/2012   

Patient of Dr. [enter your doctors name]

Dear [enter hospital name] Staff,

I understand that labor and birth are unpredictable and ultimately want the health and safety of both the baby and I to take precedence. When possible, I request that procedures be explained thoroughly (benefits and risks) and also, when possible, we would like to be included in the decision-making process.

Labor:
It would be helpful if we could have the following…

• Dim Lights
• I would like the option of laboring in the water (Shower or Tub) when possible
• Maintain mobility (Walking, rocking, up to bathroom, etc.)
• Positioning as desired
• Heparin lock is okay
• I would like to drink clear fluids and to only use IV fluids if I become dehydrated

Monitoring:

• Please note I am allergic to latex [include any allergies you may have]
• Would prefer to keep vaginal exams to a minimum
• Intermittent electronic fetal Monitoring (Prefer monitoring with a Fetoscope or Doppler)
• No internal electronic fetal monitoring

Labor Augmentation/Induction:

• I would prefer to change positions, walk, or try other natural methods to speed labor, prior to any artificial augmentation

Anesthesia/Pain Medication:

• Please do not offer me pain medications, I will ask for them if I want them
• I do not want medications for the delivery of the placenta
• I would like the option of Local Anesthesia (for repair) if needed after the delivery of baby

Episiotomy:

• I would prefer to tear than have an episiotomy (unless absolutely required for baby’s safety), but please use compresses, massage and positioning

Cesarean Birth:

• Unless absolutely medically necessary, I would like to avoid a cesarean
• I would like the option to have a vaginal breech birth, if necessary
• Partner present 
• Pictures allowed to be taken
• Free one hand to touch the baby
• Partner to cut the cord
• Breast feeding in recovery room
• Please use double-layer sutures when repairing my uterus
• If the baby is not in distress, I would like Zac to be with baby at all times

Delivery:

• I would like to choose the position in which I give birth
• Even if I am fully dilated, and assuming the baby is not in distress, I would like to try to wait until I feel the urge to push before beginning the pushing stage
• I would like the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery
• I would like to hold my baby while I deliver the placenta
• Delay the cord cutting until it stops pulsating 
• Prefer husband to cut the cord

Baby Care:

• I would like to meet with a lactation consultant
• No pacifiers or glucose water
• No eye medication given to the baby
• No vaccinations are to be given at this time (will discuss with pediatrician at first visit)
• If possible, no separation of Mother & Baby
• I plan to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing as soon as the baby seems ready

Sick Baby:

• Breast feeding as soon as possible
• Unlimited visitation for parents

Circumcision:

• We would like our baby circumcised before discharging from the hospital by our pediatrician

Pediatrician: [Enter Name of Pediatrician Office and Doctor]

[Enter Address and Office Phone Number]