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this was mine for my first daughter....
We have chosen to write a birth ‘plan’ as means of expressing our wishes. We do understand that unforeseen circumstances arise in birth from time to time. If our birth ‘plan’ fails to explain how we wish those situations to be handled we ask that we are given a clear explanation of the situation, as well as our choices and be allowed to accept or refuse any procedures. Our ‘plan’ is written from our own research and beliefs with the best interest of the mother, our daughter and our family in mind. We are attempting a natural birth using HypnoBirthing techniques.
Pre-Admission
We request:
- To only consider inducement (i.e. stripping the membranes, pitocin, etc.) if onset of labor is unusually long or there is medical urgency and to use only natural means of inducement, moving to gels, pitocin drip or other medical procedures as a last resort.
- To remain at home as long as possible before going to the hospital
Hospital Admission
We request
- To decline routine IV prep upon admission. Heparin or Saline lock preferred.
- To have a private birth room with the door closed and drapes drawn for privacy. We ask that the lights be kept dim and that all staff entering the room remain calm and quiet.
- To bring a CD player with soft music playing in the background
- That our family and friends be allowed to visit through the early stages of our daughters birth
During Thinning and Opening Phase of Labor
We request
- Medical caregivers refrain from any practice or procedure that could unnecessarily stand in the way of our having the most natural childbirth possible
- That all staff honor our need for quiet and only essential medical staff be present
- Vaginal exams be kept to a minimum to avoid premature rupture of membranes
- Only intermittent monitoring of the baby’s heart with fetoscope/Doppler or manual EFM
- No internal fetal monitoring in the absence of fetal distress
- To be free of blood pressure cuffs and monitoring devices between readings.
- To take fluids and light foods
- The freedom to move, walk and change positions throughout labor
- In the event of a stalled or slow labor that natural oxytocin stimulation (nipple or clitoral) be used and we be given the privacy to do so.
- To labor in the shower or tub an to have the use of a birthing ball and stool, if one is available
During Birthing
We request
- That ALL visitors and unnecessary staff be turned away until we have had bonding time with our daughter. We ask that only essential medical staff be present (i.e. no students, residents or other hospital staff)
- To allow natural birthing instincts to facilitate the descent of the baby, as much as possible, with mother-directed breathing down. Please, encouraging words in low calm voices free of “pushing” and counting prompts
- To choose a birthing position that will least likely result in tearing. Use of oil and hot compresses to avoid tearing
- Use of suctioning device rather than forceps if assistance is medically necessary and medical staff has allowed for complete birthing before suctioning baby
- Our daughter be immediately placed on mothers chest for skin to skin contact
- Use of still and video cameras to capture our daughters birth
- Father to assist in “catching” our daughter.
- Allow up to 30 minutes for natural placenta delivery, immediate breast feeding, uterine massage and nipple stimulation to assist in natural placenta delivery.
- No cord traction, pitocin or manual removal of the placenta unless there is an emergency
For Baby
We request
- Bright lights be temporarily removed until our daughter is moved to the mothers chest
- Delay “cleaning or rubbing” We will bathe our daughter when we return home.
- Delay cord clamping and cutting until pulsation has ceased; Father will cut the cord
- Allow our daughter to remain with us after birth and that all routine medical procedures and measurements be delayed for 1 hour to allow time for breastfeeding and bonding.
- That all medical procedures and measurements be done in our room
- Delay the use of Erythromycin or other salve for baby’s eyes to allow optimal sight for bonding
- Oral Vitamin K to be used if available
- Father to stay with mother and baby throughout hospital stay
- Breastfeeding only. No bottles, formula, pacifiers or artificial nipples. Breastfeeding several times during the first few hours after birth.
- All vaccinations, and screenings (including PKU) to be done by our pediatrician at our scheduled appointment.
We would like to be discharged from the hospital to return home as soon as possible.
Thank you for participating in the birth of our daughter. Our goal is to make our birthing experience the best and most joyful it can possibly be.
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