Pregnancy - Third Trimester

PitBullMommy · Apr 11th, 2008, 16:46 PM

I was kinda at a loss as to how to make up a birth plan and just found a wicked tool for making one! I got mine made in like, 10 minutes! Here's the link:
http://www.happyhealthypregnancy.com...irth_plan.aspx

Here's my plan:

Quote:

Preferences for Labor and Birth
Miranda Clark

Due Date: June 6, 2008
Patient of / Backus Hospital

April 11, 2008

To Whom it May Concern:

We're looking forward to sharing our birth experience with you. We have created this birth plan in order to outline some of our preferences for birth. We would appreciate you reviewing this plan, and would be happy to do so with you. We understand that there may be situations in which our choices may not be possible, but we hope that you will help us to move toward our goals as much as possible and to make this labor and birth a great experience. We do not want to replace the medical personnel, but instead want to be informed of any procedures in advance, and to be allowed the chance to give informed consent. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions or comments. Thank you!

Please Note
-I would like to wear contact lenses or glasses at all times when conscious.
-I am SEVERELY allergic to latex

Labor
-Please perform no routine prepatory tasks (shaving, enema, etc.), unless requested.
-I expect that doctors and hospital staff will discuss all procedures with me before they are performed.
-I would like to be free to walk, change positions and use the bathroom as needed or desired.
-I prefer to wear my own clothes, rather than a hospital gown.
-I will remain hydrated by drinking moderate amounts of fluids (water, juice, ice chips).
-Please do not administer an IV or heparin lock unless there is a clear medical indication that such is necessary.
-I would like to play my own music.
-Please do not permit observers such as interns, students or unnecessary staff into the room without my permission.

Labor Induction/Augmentation
-I would like to avoid induction unless it is medically necessary.
-If induction is necessary, I would like to attempt it with prostaglandin gel or another means before pitocin is administered.

Anesthesia/Pain Medication
-Please do not offer anesthesia/analgesia unless I ask for it.
-If I ask for pain relief, please feel free to offer non-medical choices for coping and/or remind me how close I am to the birth.
-I would like to avoid all narcotics, if possible.

Cesarean Section Delivery
-I feel very strongly that I would like to avoid a cesarean delivery.
-If a cesarean is necessary, I expect to be fully informed of all procedures and actively participate in decision-making.
-I would like my husband to be present during the surgery.
-Please explain the surgery to me as it happens.
-If possible, please do not strap my arms to the table during the procedure.
-If conditions permit, I would like to be the first to hold Charlotte after the delivery.
-If possible, I would like to breastfeed Charlotte immediately after the birth.
-I would like our plans outlined here for after the birth to be followed as closely as possible.

Perineal Care
-I prefer not to have an episiotomy unless it is medically indicated.
-To help my perineum stretch, please help guide my pushing efforts by letting me know when to push and when to stop.
-Please administer local anesthesia when repairing any episiotomy or tear(s).
-Please suture tears only if necessary.

Delivery
-I do not want to use stirrups while pushing.
-I would appreciate help from my husband and staff supporting my legs as I push.
-I would like to have a mirror available and adjusted so I can see the baby's head crowning.
-I would like the opportunity to touch my baby's head as it crowns.

After birth
-Please place Charlotte on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
-I would like to breastfeed Charlotte immediately.
-Please allow the umbilical cord to stop pulsating before it is cut.
-I prefer to wait for spontaneous delivery of the placenta and do not want a routine injection of pitocin.
-Please show me the placenta after it is delivered.
-Please remove my IV/Heparin lock/catheter as soon as possible after delivery.

Newborn Care
-I would like to hold Charlotte skin-to-skin during the first hours to help regulate baby's body temperature.
-I would like to hold Charlotte through delivery of the placenta and any repair procedures.
-Please evaluate and bathe Charlotte at my bedside.
-If possible, please evaluate Charlotte on my abdomen.
-If Charlotte must go to the nursery for evaluation or medical treatment, My husband, or someone I designate, will accompany Charlotte at all times.
-Please delay eye medication for Charlotte until we are well past the initial bonding period (a couple hours after the birth).
-I would prefer to have Vitamin K administered orally.

Postpartum
-I would prefer not to be catheterized until I've had some private time to attempt urination on my own.
-If available, I would prefer a private room.
-I would like to have Charlotte room-in with me at all times.
-Once I've had time to recover, I would like Charlotte to room-in with me.
-Assuming I feel up to it and Charlotte is healthy, I would like to be released from the hospital as soon as possible following the birth.

Breastfeeding
-I plan to breastfeed and want to nurse immediately following the birth.
-Please do not give Charlotte supplements (including formula, glucose, or plain water) without my consent, unless there is an urgent medical necessity.
-Unless I am unable to give my consent, please do not give Charlotte any supplements without first informing me of the reason(s) and seeking my consent.
-Please do not give Charlotte a pacifier.
-I would like to know more about breastfeeding.
-I would like to meet with the staff lactation consultant.

Additional notes
-I would like to take still photographs during labor and the birth.

JennyLynn512 · Apr 11th, 2008, 16:53 PM

Wow! That is an extensive birth plan and a really good one! My husband's mom is a OB nurse and she advised me not to write one out. Just have in my head and my husband's head what specifics we want, if any. She says she sees it all the time, someone comes in with a birth plan and nothing ends up going the way they wanted it. I hope yours does, though! You have a pretty good outline of what you want!

PitBullMommy · Apr 11th, 2008, 16:58 PM

Thanks! I figure nothing on there is really too irrational, and half of it I might just throw right out the window once the pain starts, LOL. Other parts of it though I feel really strong about (breast feeding, holding her) so I guess it'll be good to have it 'in writing'. Can't wait to see my doc's face when I hand it to them though!

sonny · Apr 11th, 2008, 16:59 PM

Wow thats really well planned out pitbull,well done and hope you get all you want from it

I've just finished my antenatal classes here and the midwife we had kept referring to our "american friends" and the way they do labour and care in the hospital.
She said things like.....

as soon as you get a contraction you are recommended to go to the hospital asap there rather than here they like you to wait at home until you are desperate.

a catheter is compulsary in most cases although not widely used here.

positions are mainly on back lying down to push where here they like you to knee,squat,birthing stool etc.

not having an epidural is unheard of.

Was just wondering if she has her facts right? or maybe she has been watching too many american tv programmes! lol cos some of it sounded quite bizarre.

JennyLynn512 · Apr 11th, 2008, 17:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PitBullMommy

Thanks! I figure nothing on there is really too irrational, and half of it I might just throw right out the window once the pain starts, LOL. Other parts of it though I feel really strong about (breast feeding, holding her) so I guess it'll be good to have it 'in writing'. Can't wait to see my doc's face when I hand it to them though!

I agree with you on everything with the breastfeeding and holding her right after birth! Those are things that I think most of us want to do...it just creates more of a bond after delivery! Does your doc have a good sense of humor? Don't worry about what they think....it's your baby!

JennyLynn512 · Apr 11th, 2008, 17:05 PM

Hmmmm, let's see here....when I went for my classes and hospital tour the nurses seemed to say that they wouldn't use a catheter unless necessary, and yes the position is mainly lying on our backs to push (at least at my hospital). I'm not sure about the epidural...I know that I want to go as long as I can without having one. And my doc told me to time my contractions once I am past 37 weeks and if they become close and regular then I am to come in. She said if they are still far apart and irregular, but bearable...then to try and wait at home timing them. So..who knows about us crazy Americans. Haha!

PitBullMommy · Apr 11th, 2008, 17:08 PM

LOL...nope, they have NO sense of humor at ALL. I don't even get to ask any questions and they don't ask if I have any. It's all very in and out at my appointments. This should be interesting.

Sonny-

Quote:

as soon as you get a contraction you are recommended to go to the hospital asap there rather than here they like you to wait at home until you are desperate.

a catheter is compulsary in most cases although not widely used here.

positions are mainly on back lying down to push where here they like you to knee,squat,birthing stool etc.

not having an epidural is unheard of.

I was having contractions for 17 hours, every 3-5 minutes at 28 weeks and they didn't want me to come in unless my water broke or they got closer cause it was a Saturday (and they HURT really badly).

Pretty much everyone I know that's had a baby had a cathater...goodness help them if they come near me with one!

Most people are on their backs to push...doesn't make sense to me though

Just about everyone I know has used an epidural...my lil sis had TWO of them cause the first one didn't block enough. I really hate the thought of a needle in my spine though...CREEPY!

sonny · Apr 11th, 2008, 17:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JennyLynn512

Hmmmm, let's see here....when I went for my classes and hospital tour the nurses seemed to say that they wouldn't use a catheter unless necessary, and yes the position is mainly lying on our backs to push (at least at my hospital). I'm not sure about the epidural...I know that I want to go as long as I can without having one. And my doc told me to time my contractions once I am past 37 weeks and if they become close and regular then I am to come in. She said if they are still far apart and irregular, but bearable...then to try and wait at home timing them. So..who knows about us crazy Americans. Haha!

lol i thought some of her views sounded bizarre,must be a crazy midwife we had!!

UptonGirl · Apr 12th, 2008, 01:31 AM

wow thats fantastic.im gunna use it as my inspiration and start mine.haha cant wait to see the doctors and midwifes face either!heehee x

pepperflake · Apr 12th, 2008, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonny

Wow thats really well planned out pitbull,well done and hope you get all you want from it

I've just finished my antenatal classes here and the midwife we had kept referring to our "american friends" and the way they do labour and care in the hospital.
She said things like.....

as soon as you get a contraction you are recommended to go to the hospital asap there rather than here they like you to wait at home until you are desperate.

a catheter is compulsary in most cases although not widely used here.

positions are mainly on back lying down to push where here they like you to knee,squat,birthing stool etc.

not having an epidural is unheard of.

Was just wondering if she has her facts right? or maybe she has been watching too many american tv programmes! lol cos some of it sounded quite bizarre.

I had my first in a birthing center so none of that was true for me. I got to the center when my contractions were 4-5 minutes apart and they made me take a walk down the road! We lived about 40 minutes away and I wanted to make sure we were there in plenty of time.

Tuesday, I took my birth plan to my MW from the same link but mine turned out longer than pitbullmommy's and she was very receptive about everything except she said I could only have clear liquids- no food- once I got to the hospital. No problem since by then, I won't want food!

I might go to the hospital a little early this time since we are so far away but will probably just be close by, walking or something.

No catheter will be coming near me unless I have an emergency section.

They will have to strap me down to birth on my back. That's just plain ridiculous and defies the laws of gravity! I had DD on my hands and knees.

I'm not the epidural type either. In fact, no drugs for me. I did great last time without so I'm sure I can manage without this time too. But yeah, everyone pretty much thinks I am crazy. There is no "gas and air" here. I wish I knew what that was!

It is quite sad how medicinal the whole birth experience became in America but I think things are getting back to being more natural and honoring the birthing experience rather than scheduling it.

My birthing plan is what I HOPE for, not something written in stone. I will be flexible depending on how things go but it was good to discuss my wishes with my MW and its a good reference for my OH and my mom who will be there to help me through labor.

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