Birth Plan

Thought I would post my birth plan for anyone who is curious. We are planning a very natural, healing birth and hopefully everything will go smoothly.

Birth Plan // Wishes List

I wish for these people to remain with me/the baby throughout the labour and delivery unless stated otherwise by me.

Thank-you for the care you have provided for my baby and I so far. We understand that birth and the post birth period can be unpredictable, however, we would like you as the care providers to respect and support the following as closely as possible.

LABOUR:

• Other than medical staff, and my support team, I do not want any other family or friends to enter the birthing room at any stage of labour, delivery, or post partum unless stated otherwise by me. 
• I would like to have suggested to me all forms of natural pain relief throughout my labour, I would like to be encouraged by all your staff to try all natural forms of pain relief you know of and can use. 
• I would like to have an active labour, possibly using TENS and I am agreeable to using the gas if required.
• Under no circumstances do I want to be offered pethidine! 
• I would like to keep as active as I wish to be, during labour to help me through the contractions. To ensure this I want to be free from any monitors and/or IV lines throughout my labour and birth. Unless I become dehydrated. 
• I would like the environment to be kept as quiet as possible, with dimmed lighting.
• I would like to be reminded to eat, drink and empty my bladder.
• I would prefer that vaginal examinations are kept to a minimum, and that permission is sought from me before all procedures. This applies even if procedures are routine such as blood pressure, temp taking etc.
• I want to be given maximum time for decision-making and for staff to leave the room while all decisions are being made. Once I have come to a decision, at some points I may ask my partner G or (other support person) to voice my decisions for me.
• I do not want an internal monitor unless the baby have shown some sign of distress.
• I would prefer that no students are present at either my labour or birth.
• I would like my amniotic sac to be allowed to rupture on its own. 
• I would like photos to be taken during labour and the birth especially in the event of intervention eg caesarean section etc., which (OSP) or my partner G will take for us. 
• I often find water is a great pain reliever for me and would like to use this option whether it is a bath or shower as much as possible. Even a wet face washer or ice blocks to crunch on. 

DELIVERY: 

• I would like to deliver our baby in a position of my choosing including a shower birth if possible.
• I do not want to be in the position on my back to deliver the baby as this position in general is extremely uncomfortable for me, and leads to fainting and vomiting. 
• I would like to be reminded that I can touch our baby as he/she is born.
• I would like our baby to be placed on my chest immediately after birth. 
• I would like to assist if the delivery of my baby (if my chosen delivery position allows).

EPISIOTOMY:

• I would prefer not to have an episiotomy.

IMMEDIATE POST-DELIVERY:

• The cord is to be cut only after it stops pulsating. And I would like the cord to be cut by my partner G.
• I would like a physiological third stage and for the baby to remain on me during this stage.
• We would like the baby to remain with us while his/her checks are performed.
• We decline the Hep B vaccination as we wish to wait until our baby is two months old before it is administered.

POST-PARTUM:

• Unless absolutely necessary we do not wish to be separated from our baby. If for some reason it does become necessary, please allow my partner G to remain with our baby at all times while he/she is away from me. 

BREASTFEEDING:

• I wish to breastfeed in recovery and do not want my baby to receive formula.
• I wish to use the baby led attachment method of breastfeeding. And am open to help and assistance if available. 

CAESAREAN:

• Unless it is absolutely necessary I would like to avoid a caesarean.
• If unavoidable I wish to be fully informed and involved in all decision making.
• I would like G to be present at all times. 
• I would like a running commentary of the surgery process.
• I would like the screen to be lowered as our baby is born so that I can view the birth.
• I would like the birth to be recorded with photos and video.
• If there is no contraindication I would like the baby to be given to me immediately after the birth.
• Our baby is to be kept unwiped and placed on either mine or G’s chest for skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible.
• I would like the baby to remain with us while I am being stitched.
• I wish to breastfeed in recovery and do not want my baby to receive formula.
• We strongly request to not be separated from our baby. If it’s absolutely necessary then we wish for G to be with our baby and for our OSP, to remain with me until I am transferred to the postnatal ward.