I've had several people ask about my birth plan, so here it is! When I showed my midwives, they were very supportive. I would like to note that the hospital I gave birth at was very baby-friendly. With the exception of my requests regarding the Hep B shot, the eye ointment, and the rest of my requests were things that the hospital would normally do anyways. Rooming in, skin-on-skin for the first hour, delayed cord clamping, not offering formula/pacifiers, etc - these were all procedures the midwives supported completely. I know this isn't the same in all hospitals though! My goal was to make my birth plan as simple and to the point as possible, as I knew that nurses and doctors were more likely to read it if it were so.
Birth Plan for Andrea Simmons (DOB -/--/----)
*I'd like the following people to be present during labor and/or birth:
Husband: Steve Simmons
Doula: Avery Fisher
Photographer: Carly Murray
Please do not allow any other family members or friends to be present during the birth.
*Once I'm admitted, I'd like:
my husband to be allowed to stay with me at all times
to wear my contact lenses, as long as I don't need a c-section
*As long as the baby and I are doing fine, I'd like to:
have intermittent rather than continuous electronic fetal monitoring
be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits and have my labor augmented only if necessary not be constricted by an IV if possible, I'd prefer an IV lock if necessary
*I'd like to try the following pain-management techniques:
bath/shower
breathing techniques/distraction
hot/cold therapy
massage
*If I decide I want medicinal pain relief, I'd prefer:
regional analgesia (an epidural) systemic medication
*When it's time to push, I'd like to:
be coached on when to push and for how long
be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits as long as my baby and I are doing fine avoid an episiotomy if possible
*Immediately after birth, I'd like:
have immediate skin-to-skin, please respect the Golden Hour
not to get oxytocin (Pitocin) after I deliver the placenta unless it's necessary
to have delayed cord clamping
my husband not to cut the umbilical cord - he does not want to
to delay the administration of eye drops until after breastfeeding and bonding
*If I have a c-section, I'd like:
my partner present at all times during the operation
the baby to be given to my partner as soon as he's dried
if appropriate, to breastfeed my baby in the recovery room
if allowed, for our birth photographer to photograph the baby being born
*After delivery, I'd like:
all newborn procedures to take place in my presence
my partner to stay with the baby at all times if I can't be there
24-hour rooming-in with my baby
no visitors for the first hour after birth (besides husband, doula, and birth photographer)
to breastfeed exclusively - please DO NOT offer my baby formula, sugar water, a pacifier, or any artificial nipples
*Procedures:
If my baby's a boy I want him to be circumcised at the hospital, with pain relief (preferably a dorsal penile nerve block), and with my husband present during the procedure
Please ask me or my husband about any procedures, shots, etc. before you do them
Allow me or my husband to help bathe the baby for the first time
Do not give the baby a Hepatitus B immunization
