Mia
02-05-2008, 08:42 AM
Hi there,
Just wondering if you prepare birth plans.
I did with my first, and although it didn't totally pan out, I think it was a good preparation and helps you think about what you want. I don't think it should be more than one page because it will just make the staff roll their eyes, lol.
This was it (based on one a friend showed me):
Birth Plan for [name]
Note: I have been suffering from Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) in the last trimester.
Vaginal or caesarean
· I would like to give birth vaginally if my health and the baby’s health, position and size support that. If there are medical reasons why I should have an elective caesarean, I am happy to do that. I’d like to avoid an emergency caesarean.
Support person
· R (partner and baby’s father) will be the only support person. I don’t have any other support people.
1st stage labour
· Stay home initially
· Move around, relax and use a shower/bath, music etc.
· Suggestions from midwives on positions/breathing/relaxation would be welcome.
Pain relief
· I’d like to use heat, massage, water and movement as the initial pain relief.
· Ideally I’d like to avoid artificial pain relief but if not, I’d like to use gas. Pethidine (low dose), epidural/spinal only if necessary. If epidural I’d like to remain as mobile as possible.
Monitoring
· I prefer intermittent but regular monitoring over continuous electronic monitoring, unless it is medically necessary. I’d like staff to check on me and the baby regularly during labour.
Intervention
· I’d like to avoid interventions (inducement, breaking waters, extraction) as long as my health and the baby’s health are not at risk. My EDD varies from 22-29 September.
· I would like any proposed intervention explained fully to R and me before proceeding.
· R should be allowed to be present for any procedures that are necessary, including caesarean delivery.
2nd stage birth
· I would like to use upright positions (kneeling, squatting, all fours, sitting, leaning) for most of the birth.
· No episiotomy unless it’s clear that a significant tear will occur or if the baby is at risk.
· We don’t really mind whether R assists with delivery or cuts the cord or not.
· If it is a caesarean delivery, R is to stay with the baby after delivery.
· If the birth goes well, we’d like bonding time with the baby immediately after delivery.
3rd stage
· I am happy to have an oxytocin injection to speed up the delivery of the placenta.
Care
· I would like help with breastfeeding as soon as possible after the birth.
· I need help with wrapping, bathing and changing as I have never cared for a newborn before.
· I’d like R to have full access to me and the baby while I am in hospital.
I am doing another one this time around, but it is going to be a more streamlined and clear cut.
More like this:
Birth Plan for [name, date, hospital, doctor]
Last time (3 October 2006)
· I was given prostaglandin gel the night before as I was overdue.
· My waters broke naturally at 4.30am, and I laboured alone in my room without pain relief.
· I moved to delivery suite about 7am and had an unassisted, fast, peaceful, vaginal birth at 7.28am with no pushing.
· I had a managed third stage, little bleeding and a small tear that was stitched.
· I was really pleased about my birth experience and would be happy to have a similar experience this time.
Support person
· R (partner and baby’s father) will be the only support person. I don’t have any other support people.
Pain relief – no thanks J
· I do not intend to use artificial pain relief as I managed last time without it. Please do not offer it to me and I’ll see how I go.
Monitoring and examination – no thanks J
· I prefer foetal heart monitoring only at necessary intervals. No continuous monitoring.
· I do not think that vaginal exams are necessary until the end as I found it really obvious when the baby was coming and told the midwife, who checked and agreed that I was fully dilated and the head was presenting.
Interventions – no thanks J
· I do not want any interventions or augmentations unless absolutely necessary as I’m confident that the birth will proceed naturally if left alone.
· I would like any proposed intervention explained fully to R and me before proceeding.
· R should be present for any procedures that are necessary, including caesarean surgery.
2nd stage – birth
· Like last time, I plan to use active, upright positions (yoga, kneeling, all fours, etc) for the labour and birth.
· No episiotomy (as also per Dr's policy).
· It would be good if R could assist with the receiving of the baby.
· I do not want the cord to be cut until it has stopped nourishing the baby.
· We’d like quiet time with the baby for as long as possible after the birth.
3rd stage
· I am willing to have a managed third stage to assist the birth of the placenta.
Anyway, just thought it might be of interest, particularly to first timers :)
Just wondering if you prepare birth plans.
I did with my first, and although it didn't totally pan out, I think it was a good preparation and helps you think about what you want. I don't think it should be more than one page because it will just make the staff roll their eyes, lol.
This was it (based on one a friend showed me):
Birth Plan for [name]
Note: I have been suffering from Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) in the last trimester.
Vaginal or caesarean
· I would like to give birth vaginally if my health and the baby’s health, position and size support that. If there are medical reasons why I should have an elective caesarean, I am happy to do that. I’d like to avoid an emergency caesarean.
Support person
· R (partner and baby’s father) will be the only support person. I don’t have any other support people.
1st stage labour
· Stay home initially
· Move around, relax and use a shower/bath, music etc.
· Suggestions from midwives on positions/breathing/relaxation would be welcome.
Pain relief
· I’d like to use heat, massage, water and movement as the initial pain relief.
· Ideally I’d like to avoid artificial pain relief but if not, I’d like to use gas. Pethidine (low dose), epidural/spinal only if necessary. If epidural I’d like to remain as mobile as possible.
Monitoring
· I prefer intermittent but regular monitoring over continuous electronic monitoring, unless it is medically necessary. I’d like staff to check on me and the baby regularly during labour.
Intervention
· I’d like to avoid interventions (inducement, breaking waters, extraction) as long as my health and the baby’s health are not at risk. My EDD varies from 22-29 September.
· I would like any proposed intervention explained fully to R and me before proceeding.
· R should be allowed to be present for any procedures that are necessary, including caesarean delivery.
2nd stage birth
· I would like to use upright positions (kneeling, squatting, all fours, sitting, leaning) for most of the birth.
· No episiotomy unless it’s clear that a significant tear will occur or if the baby is at risk.
· We don’t really mind whether R assists with delivery or cuts the cord or not.
· If it is a caesarean delivery, R is to stay with the baby after delivery.
· If the birth goes well, we’d like bonding time with the baby immediately after delivery.
3rd stage
· I am happy to have an oxytocin injection to speed up the delivery of the placenta.
Care
· I would like help with breastfeeding as soon as possible after the birth.
· I need help with wrapping, bathing and changing as I have never cared for a newborn before.
· I’d like R to have full access to me and the baby while I am in hospital.
I am doing another one this time around, but it is going to be a more streamlined and clear cut.
More like this:
Birth Plan for [name, date, hospital, doctor]
Last time (3 October 2006)
· I was given prostaglandin gel the night before as I was overdue.
· My waters broke naturally at 4.30am, and I laboured alone in my room without pain relief.
· I moved to delivery suite about 7am and had an unassisted, fast, peaceful, vaginal birth at 7.28am with no pushing.
· I had a managed third stage, little bleeding and a small tear that was stitched.
· I was really pleased about my birth experience and would be happy to have a similar experience this time.
Support person
· R (partner and baby’s father) will be the only support person. I don’t have any other support people.
Pain relief – no thanks J
· I do not intend to use artificial pain relief as I managed last time without it. Please do not offer it to me and I’ll see how I go.
Monitoring and examination – no thanks J
· I prefer foetal heart monitoring only at necessary intervals. No continuous monitoring.
· I do not think that vaginal exams are necessary until the end as I found it really obvious when the baby was coming and told the midwife, who checked and agreed that I was fully dilated and the head was presenting.
Interventions – no thanks J
· I do not want any interventions or augmentations unless absolutely necessary as I’m confident that the birth will proceed naturally if left alone.
· I would like any proposed intervention explained fully to R and me before proceeding.
· R should be present for any procedures that are necessary, including caesarean surgery.
2nd stage – birth
· Like last time, I plan to use active, upright positions (yoga, kneeling, all fours, etc) for the labour and birth.
· No episiotomy (as also per Dr's policy).
· It would be good if R could assist with the receiving of the baby.
· I do not want the cord to be cut until it has stopped nourishing the baby.
· We’d like quiet time with the baby for as long as possible after the birth.
3rd stage
· I am willing to have a managed third stage to assist the birth of the placenta.
Anyway, just thought it might be of interest, particularly to first timers :)