Birth Plan

[Tillytots]

Who has one and who hasnt?

I have one but I havent printed it out yet and I know Im going to forget to do it. Do you think it will really matter? Im at the point that I dont care what happens as long as we are both ok I was so set in my ways in the beginning and had very strong ideas about the way I wanted things to go but these last few weeks have made me think I dont care...just get him OUT quickly!!!

 

[Sherlock]

I don't know. I have two versions printed out.

I think if you would like things like skin on skin, the cord left till it stops pulsing before cutting, minimal amount of drug administration unless you are for an increase etc, then its worth listing those things down.

Other things are of course going to be a wait and see thing. For your LO things might change as labour progresses and the Doctors will take whatever action is needed, but if you do hope to be able to try some things then list them

Here is my hospital one fwiw. Some of it are just points of focus, others are specific to baby and me, but would be nice if it can happen (like skin on skin for as long as possible and cord left etc) Its not like I've said 'this cannot happen, or this must be the way it is done' just open and considered for myself, OH and baby. You know how I feel about medical intervention and its uses as and when so I'll say no more about them

*My birth partner is my husband Daniel.
*I am asthmatic but well controlled by inhalers. Daniel knows what I take and when etc.
*I feel positive about labour and would like it to be as natural as possible. I will listen to my body and instincts.
*I wish to keep as mobile as possible for as long as possible.
*I don't wish to have constant monitoring if at all possible. I am happy with checks at regular intervals.
*I do not wish to lie down or recline unless I really have to. I would prefer to be either upright or semi upright and not putting pressure on my coccyx and lower back as I want to work with gravity to deliver baby, not against it.
*As IV drug free as possible please. I am open to an epidural but will ask if I feel I need it. I hope to manage with breathing techniques, massage, birthing ball, TENS, gas and air , shower/bath and water birth if possible.
I am not keen on drugs to speed up delivery unless there is a real danger to myself or the baby. I wish to labour naturally for as long as it takes. I don't wish to feel I am delivering against the clock.
*If a drip is absolutely necessary then it's to be a very low dose which is not increased without my permission.
*Birthing pool for pain relief and possibly to deliver baby in. If I can I hope to deliver baby into my arms myself, but realise this may be beyond me and MW will need to help.
*As little interference (for want of a better word) from MW as possible. If at home my MW has told me she is very hands off and this works for me. *If in hospital I realise it will be because I *have* to be there and that remaining hands off might not be an option but I still want as little medical interference as is possible where possible.
*Being left with baby for as long as we wish after if all is well. I'd rather bond and feed before worrying about cleaning baby up.
*Deliver the placenta naturally in own time if possible. Not worried about cutting the cord too soon. Would like to let is stop pulsing first. Husband to cut cord if he wishes.
*Vitamin K injection for baby - yes please
*I plan to breastfeed, and would like to be encouraged to do so as soon as possible.
*Flexible to changes in my birth plan should it be medically necessary
*My husband is to make decisions for me if I am unable to for whatever reason.

Also the follwing -

*May consider a student if in hospital but would like to be asked first and to meet the student in question before agreeing.
*Dim lighting etc
*Fresh air via open windows if possible if warm in room. I cannot tolerate overly hot or stuffy rooms well.

 

[Tillytots]

thanks hun, I will print it out thats made me decide seeing yours, also you have some very good points I left off...like the windows open . I need my fresh air, will send me into panic if I dont get it

 

[Sherlock]

thanks hun, I will print it out thats made me decide seeing yours, also you have some very good points I left off...like the windows open . I need my fresh air, will send me into panic if I dont get it

Yeah I figured so long as I had things like that on there at least someone, be it OH or the MW would notice I'd like windows open and dim lighting etc. Its not specific to labour but little things can go a long way to helping I feel.

 

[Babylicious]

I did a birth plan for both of mine and didn't follow any of them.

 

[Charlie:-)]

I just literally completed my birth plan. Not entirely sure whether all will go to plan like some have said it just goes out of the window sometimes but hopefully at least I have put my wishes down on paper and hubby knows whats what with my decisions as well.

Heres mine (the last paragraph may change depending on my GBS test results that are due this week)

My birthing partner is my husband Craig

Positions
During labour I would like to stay as active and as upright as possible and also use the birthing pool as pain relief and to deliver my baby in. I do not want to be restricted to the bed.

Pain Relief
I would like to use my TENS machine for as long as possible and then try Entonox. I do not want to be asked if I want pethidine or an epidural unless medically necessary, if I feel I need either then I will ask.

Monitoring Baby
I would prefer not to be monitored for very long periods of time as this will restrict my movement and I wish to be active. I would prefer to be monitored with a hand held Doppler.

Delivery
I would like to deliver in the birthing pool, Craig might also want to get in with me. I would like my baby delivered onto me for skin to skin contact and Craig would also like skin to skin contact.

Assisted Delivery
I will take advise from the midwives at the time if this situation occurs.

3rd Stage
Craig would like to cut the chord, but we would like to wait until the chord has stopped pulsating before it is cut, if I haven’t delivered the placenta naturally by this time I would like the injection. I would like our baby to have the vitamin K injection also.

Feeding
I will be breastfeeding my baby and would like to be encouraged to do this as soon as possible

GBS
I tested positive for GBS at 10 weeks, a further test at 37 weeks came back negative, however, I would like my baby to be closely monitored in the hours after the birth as a GBS infection being passed to my baby could still be possible.

 

[mummysarah+co]

Im not doing a birth plan this time round....i had a birth plan for both of my previous babies but completely ignored them as nothing went to plan at all as i had to be induced and my labours were a lot quicker than anticipated the only thing i stuck to was my pain relief, i made sure mw knew i didnt want anything other than gas and air and that i wanted it ready for me for when i needed it, which it was.

The only thing i will say is to make sure someone puts some music on as it really helps to lift you and OH up a bit.

 

[Sandi4Paul]

my birth plan is that i would like them to do what they think is best at the time.

I will research things so i know what they are talking about, but i don't want to set my heart on something and then have something happen that prevents it.

Sandi

 

[nikkimitch]

I havent done a birth plan and dont intend to this time round (my 4th) - I did one with my first and it never left my bag. I think the main reason for doing one particulalry for your first is to make you stop and think about your feelings about certain situations so you know where you stand in an ideal world before you get caught up in the excitement of labour. There are lots of decisions to be made and it is helpful to have at least thought about them before the big day.

 

[daftscotslass]

I did one and was glad I did because it backed me up during labour. I'd insisted I didn't want diamorphine at the start of labour and persisted with that throughout - they were really trying to push it. They eased off when I referred them to what I'd written down though I was backed up by OH too.

 

[fuffins1981]

I have only penciled one this time....and do not think I completed it.

I do not think they looked at it the first time. I simply told them what i wanted....Like pain relief and birthing position.

I did keep saying 'this wasn't in my birth plan' which is now a family catchphrase. It was simply that i hadn't reckoned on the pain (back to back labour)

I think they are good just to get your mind in order for what you want. But obivously, as nature is involved, flexibility is key!

 

[Suzie and Faith]

I've done one but it's for Matt's sake rather than mine. I made him write it with me and he knows now specifically what I do and don't want. I doubt i'll print it off, as long as he is aware then I should be ok.

I have also said to him that I trust his judgement completely and so he is free to decide something for me if I'm unable to.

 

[ChocolateBill]

1st time round I did one and it was never seen by anyone. No one asked, I never mentioned it. But DH was there and knew what I wanted etc.
2nd Time round, I put my Birth plan in my notes, so in the delivery suite the MW saw it and she was fantastic at sticking to it, and we were talking about it when I was actually in labour at 6+cm so she knew what I was happy/not happy with. (DH wasnt there this time, it was just me, MW and student.)

I put on my Birthplan that i was happy for a Female Student to be part of the Birth, but she must be 2nd year + of training. (I had a 1st year student at DS1 birth, and she cut the cord without clamping!! )

I basically made it VERY clear on my Birthplan of things that I did NOT want. Ie, under NO circumstances were Forceps to be used. I was to have a Section instead.
Under NO circumstances was Formula to be given to the baby without signed consent from me or DH.
I also put in Bright red Ink, any allergies that the baby could have (Penicillin as DH has penicillin allergy, any sort of Sticky plaster/adhesive, as I have a bad allergy to them, and to Cows milk, DS1 has a Severe allergy to cows milk and it runs in both mine and DH family)

I looked at the Birth plans as a way to get across things that I am/was totally against, but went into labour/birth with an open mind to anything else.

This time round im having a Section, so its a whole new birth plan in itself

 

[xkikix]

I didnt have one, I was planning on doing one literally the next day but he decided he was coming out early so I didnt get a chance!

My birth was tha the total opposite to what I wanted, I wanted it natrual with as little drugs as possible, but ended up being constantly monitered cus his heart rate kept dropping, then a c section!