[mommydew]

Thanks in advance!!! Please let me know if you think of anything I should add or things you think are not important to include. Thank you!



Our Wishes for Childbirth

Special Notes:
• I AM HIGHLY ALLERGIC TO ALL ADHESIVE (EVEN PAPER TAPE).
• I have prepared for this birth with Hypnobabies deep relaxation methods.

General Comments
• I would like all staff to discuss all procedures with my partner/coach and myself before they are performed.
• I would like permission to see my chart and the baby's chart.

Environment:
• I would like the room to be quiet during my birthing time.
• I would like it if non-essential personnel, including interns and students were not present.
• I would like my partner to be present at all times.
• I would like my supporters to be able to take photographs of my birthing time and delivery.
• I would like to listen to my choice of music as well as my Hypnobabies CDs.
• I would like the lights to be dimmed during my birthing time.

During the My Birthing Time:
• I would like vaginal examinations to be kept to a minimum.
• I would prefer to avoid an IV unless it is absolutely necessary and then would prefer a Heparin Lock IV.
• I would like to deliver in whatever position is comfortable for me.
• I would like to be able to walk around during my birthing time.
• I would like to be able to drink fluids and eat light foods during my birthing time.
• I would like a mirror so I can see the baby’s head during delivery.
• I would like no time restrictions on pushing.
• I would like to push when I feel the urge and just be gently guided on when to push.

Monitoring
• I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring unless it is absolutely necessary.
• I prefer external monitoring to any internal monitoring

Pain Relief
• I would like to give birth naturally without medication.
• I would like to use a birthing tub, shower, birthing ball, massage, etc. for pain relief.
• I would like to change positions and move freely during my birthing time

Induction
• I would like to avoid induction unless there are signs of fetal distress.
• Before induction, I would like to try the following natural methods to progress:
o Relaxation, nipple stimulation, walking, etc.
• If my water breaks before I go into labor, I would prefer to wait 48 hours before being induced.


Episiotomy:
• I would prefer to avoid an episiotomy, even if tearing is possible.
• To help prevent tearing, please use hot compresses, oil, perineal massage and encourage me to breathe properly for slower crowning.

Caesareans:
• I would like to avoid a caesarean unless it is absolutely necessary.
• I would like a second opinion before having a caesarean.
• I would like an Epidural as anesthesia for a caesarean.
• I would like my partner/coach to be present during the caesarean.
• I would like to touch the baby as soon as possible.
• I would like my partner to cut the cord.

After the Birth:
• I would like the baby handed to me immediately after it is born, unless there are signs of fetal distress.
• I would like to be reminded during delivery to remove my clothing so the baby can lay skin-to-skin on my abdomen and be covered with warm blankets rather than be put under heat lamps.
• I would like to deliver the placenta naturally without medication or manual extraction.
• I would like the umbilical cord to stop pulsating before it is cut.
• I would like my partner to cut the cord.
• I would like to have the baby evaluated in my presence.
• I would like to delay all routine procedures (bathing, measurements, etc.) for a couple of hours until we have had a chance to bond and my baby has successfully breastfed on both sides.

Feeding
• I would like to exclusively breastfeed my baby.
• Please do not give the baby any supplements, pacifiers or glucose solution to my baby at any time.
• I would like to meet with a lactation consultant as soon as possible following the birth of my baby.

In the Event My Baby needs Medical Attention:
• I would like to breastfeed where possible or at least express milk for my baby.
• I would like unlimited visits for the parents and to hold the baby where possible.
• If it is necessary to transfer the baby to another facility, I would like to follow as soon as possible.

Newborn Care:
• I would like to delay eye care until after I have bonded with the baby (minimum of 2 hours after birth).
• I would like to decline vitamin K for my baby.
• If there is bruising or trauma to the baby from birth, I would like to then have the option to give the baby vitamin K orally.
• I would like to delay all immunizations until a later time.
• I would prefer to have the PKU test done at my pediatrician’s office at a later time.
• I would like my partner or myself to be with the baby at all times if any testing is necessary and for pictures.

It looks good to me.
I can't think of anything additional right now....if I do, I'll let you know.

[GrowBabyGrow]

Are you having a doula? Are you birthing at a hospital? Im just curious because some things may/may not need to be in there if you are. For example if it is a hospital and it allows rooming in with baby. KWIM? I would just try to get it as short as possible and make sure your midwife/OB knows beforehand everything that is on there. They will be able to tell you if things are possible or not such as taking pictures or delaying cord cutting.

I see you have already had one baby before so Im sure you know that you are still going to have to tell all the nurses this stuff. They did all the newborn stuff to my oldest without even asking. I didnt even know that she had gotten shots.

Make sure you come back here with your birth story! I wanna read it!

[moon~maiden]

Looks good. You might be able to condense it down a little bit to make it a bit shorter. I think birth plans are essential, but at the same time they tend to be more for you to prepare ahead of time and less for the hospital staff. Like Sarah said you will need to make sure it is going the way you wish at all times. Make sure your partner knows the plan well and if familiar with what everything means and why you chose what you did. They get so used to what is routine that they sometimes run on automatic.
So you could combine some things and have it say something like "I wish for the room to be quiet, calm and dimly lit" instead of having that be separate points. KWIM?

I find it interesting that you are passing on the Vitamin K and Hep B shots but getting the eye ointment. If you are sure you don't have an STD that can be passed on (they usually test you for that during pregnancy anyway) you could pass on it all together. It's another thing that has become routine that just doesn't need to be, IMO.

Looks great though!

[mommydew]

Thank you all so much for your feedback!

Regarding the eye ointment...believe me...I definitely DO NOT want my baby to receive it...however I do not have a choice really. There is actually another post on this board I started earlier this week i think asking about it. The stupid eye ointment is a state law in Michigan that all newborns get it done but they allow it to be delayed. I am very annoyed by the whole situation. I looked in what would happen if I just down right refused it and 3 different midwives told me that the hospital then has the right to send Child Protective Services to come speak to us and even come to our house if they want. I searched online and not all Michigan hospitals are as strict about it...but unfortunately the hospital I am birthing at...is one that seems to be very strict with it. I did write on my birth plan I wanted it delayed for 2 hours and my midwife today told me that I can only have it delayed 1 hour max. The whole thing isvery frustrating. I KNOW I don't have either of the STD's it protects against.

[moon~maiden]

oh my god that's right! HOW STUPID. There are way too many laws for stupid things these days.

Well at least you can delay it. The first hour they are very alert and it prime time for bonding. So 2 hours seems like a great time to delay. Make sure they keep baby in the room and that you remind them, cause they will most likely be breathing down your neck to get all their little things done. Stand your ground.

So how are you feeling? Ready?

[shadowdweller]

you do not need their permission to see your charts, it's a basic patient right, and if they tell you otherwise, you can tell them to #&&^(&^&.

other than that, it looks good to me!

you need to be more vocal about this stuff in our ddc! stop letting me look like the granola conspiracy theorist!

[mommydew]

you do not need their permission to see your charts, it's a basic patient right, and if they tell you otherwise, you can tell them to #&&^(&^&.

other than that, it looks good to me!

you need to be more vocal about this stuff in our ddc! stop letting me look like the granola conspiracy theorist! [/b]

You crack me up! I try to chime in when I can about natural childbirth and extended nursing when I can...but I don't get the feeling it is very welcomed in our DDC! Don't worry though...I've got your back!

[moon~maiden]

"stop letting me look like the granola conspiracy theorist!"


Ha! That was me (and still is to a large degree) in my DDC/ playroom. We are currently having a big discussion about the woman that still nurses her 8 year old. I'm one of the few saying I don't really judge it as wrong
or any of my business. Only two or three others see it the same way, but we have managed to NOT actually fight about it. It's pretty cool.

Cheryl-
I just have to say that I am glad that we are in the same PR. You have the guts to say things when I don't.

[skat]

Birth plan looks good!

Just a head's up about having a birth plan, though...In my experience, the nurses and the on-call doc's (if you have one at your delivery) don't really read them. I have found the best thing to do, other than to discuss your wishes at length with your midwife/OB, is to make sure your support person understands and will STAND UP FOR YOUR WISHES during L&D. If you don't have that support the nurses/docs can talk you into almost anything when you're in transition. I had this happen when DD2 was born. *I* was educuated and knew what I wanted going in to it, but I wasn't clear enough with my DH so he didn't know he should have stopped the crazy nurse.

Good luck!! :-)

[mommydew]

Birth plan looks good!

Just a head's up about having a birth plan, though...In my experience, the nurses and the on-call doc's (if you have one at your delivery) don't really read them. I have found the best thing to do, other than to discuss your wishes at length with your midwife/OB, is to make sure your support person understands and will STAND UP FOR YOUR WISHES during L&D. If you don't have that support the nurses/docs can talk you into almost anything when you're in transition. I had this happen when DD2 was born. *I* was educuated and knew what I wanted going in to it, but I wasn't clear enough with my DH so he didn't know he should have stopped the crazy nurse.

Good luck!! :-)[/b]

Thank you! I completely agree. Both my mom and my DH will be in the room and both completely understand everything that I want. My DH helped me to write my birth plan. I am very grateful they are both so supportive of NCB and seem to be really on the same page with everything.

[moon~maiden]

Carrie, thanks. I actually censor myself on here quite a bit and am careful of how I word things, to be respectful. I have learned that I don't need others to think what I do, but I can present my POV in a way that seems fair and well thought out. I think fighting on the internet is one of the biggest wastes of time there is. I also love to hear what other people think of things. if it's totally stupid or not!