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Natural Birth
lindseyfabulous
member
Natural Hospital Birth Plan- DONE!
lindseyfabulous
member
Dear Care Providers:
We appreciate your kind care and respectfully request the following for our labor/birth. We fully understand that specific circumstances may not allow for these guidelines to be followed; we value your support of our choices and welcome your expertise.
PLEASE:
- PROVIDE A NURSE EXPERIENCED/COMFORTABLE WITH NATURAL LABOR.
- DO NOT OFFER ME PAIN MEDICATION, I WILL REQUEST IF NEEDED.
- DO NOT ALLOW Anyone other than my support team, into the delivery room. NO HOSPITAL STUDENTS, INTERNS, RESIDENTS, VISITORS OR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ALLOWED IN THE DELIVERY ROOM.
Labor
I would like:
- to move around/change position at will.
- to have fluids by mouth and to eat lightly if I feel the urge.
- to have a heparin/saline lock in place of an IV.
- to minimize the number of vaginal exams.
- to progress free of stringent time limits.
I do not wish to have the amniotic membrane ruptured artificially unless signs of fetal distress require internal monitoring.
Delivery
I would like:
- to change positions at will during the pushing stage and to try a squat bar if available.
- to wait until I feel the urge to push, even if fully dilated.
- My partner to help catch our baby if possible
- to have my baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
I do not wish to have an episiotomy unless required for the baby?s safety.
After Delivery
I would like
- to give the umbilical cord a few moments to stop pulsating before clamping and cutting.
- My husband to cut the cord once it has stopped pulsating
- to breastfeed my baby immediately.
- to go home as soon as possible.
- to take my placenta home.
Medically necessary Cesarean
I would like:
- my husband present at all times.
- the screen lowered a bit so we may witness the birth.
- my baby to be given to my husband immediately after birth if she is not in distress.
- to breastfeed my baby in recovery.
- to be repaired with double layer sutures
Nursery Plan for ___________.
I belong with my Mom and Dad, ____________.
Dear Nursery,
I am a breastfeeding baby, I need to stay with my Mommy and I would prefer if you did not offer me anything so I don?t get confused.
I would prefer
? to breastfeed exclusively, feeding on demand.
? to avoid bottles (including glucose and plain water) and pacifiers.
? Not to be given any vaccinations at this time.
? To be circumcised.
? To delay erythromycin until after bonding.
? For my Mommy and Daddy to give me my first bath.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Natural Hospital Birth Plan- DONE!
Looks great! I like how you have a c-section plan as well, I'm planning to do that next time.
Have you checked with your MW/OB on their policies? You might be able to eliminate some of your bullets. For example I didn't want an episiotomy, but knew my CNMs only used those in emergencies, so I left that out. Also going home early is something you could probably discuss later. I just think the shorter it is the more likely they are to read it and commit it to memory.
Good job!
Do you have a preference on directed vs. undirected pushing? I know my doctor was happy to let me push on my terms, but it was against the "normal" way. I knew I would find it really irritating to be told to push for 10 seconds or whatever.
And if you can, avoid the nursery altogether.
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This. When you assume these are their standard practices, it shows you didn't do your research. Also, the part in red caps is worded offensively. You show up to the hospital and hand someone a list of DO NOT's for their job? You're clearly expecting negativity/opposition, and it just might find you. The requests are fine, the language is not.
I have talked at length with my midwives on their practices, and because there are five of them that rotate on call, I have chosen to include several bullets in the plan that otherwise might be eliminated if I knew which particular MW we would end up with on the big day. While they are very similar in their philosophies of non-intervention birth, there are two in the practice that veer towards the clinical side, and have been known to clamp the cord a bit early, and "help" baby's head out with a small snip.
As far as the red portion at the top, this is definitely not a list of "do nots"...it's two bullet points, of which are in my top three most important requests while at the hospital. I've worked with my Doula at length about the wording here, and based on her 50+ deliveries at this hospital, with these midwives, does not believe that the wording will come across as offensive or demanding.
The midwives that are attending at our birth have made it clear that they expect me to make my expectations clear, and I am so proud of the plan that we have put together!
I don't see any problem with the red part.
Frankly, if someone does have a problem with it, you want another nurse anyway.
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I think you've pretty much covered the bases, but the red bolded may not be worded inappropriately, but all caps and red is a bit over the top. Leaving it regular black text (no caps) and then bolding, will be less offensive. Plus, it's good to have one in your chart, but otherwise, I hope you don't have to encounter half the situations you post about. I know I didn't with my first - typical marathon first natural birth 26+ hours of which 18+ I was in the hospital.
...baby #3 is here...
Thanks for posting, I'm in the intial stages of planning a natural hospital birth and this helps a lot!
Can you tell me what this is: "a heparin/saline lock in place of an IV"?
Also, is it common for newborns to be vaccinated and given erythromycin right after birth?
A heparin/saline lock is usually called a "heplock" for short. Instead of continuing IV fluids being administered (thus attaching me to an IV pole, and water-logging me during labor), they place a hep lock in my vein, which is basically just an access point to quickly administer fluids or in my case, antibiotics for Group-B strep. It's a fantastic alternative to a traditional IV.
It is common for newborns to be given the Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of being born, although some Pediatricians will wait to give it at the first follow up appt after birth. You can opt out of this vaccine if that is your choosing, with the blessing of your pediatrician.
Erythromycin (eye drops) is usually administered almost immediately, at the last within a few hours, after baby is born. This procedure can usually be performed on your chest, during bonding time.
The heplock is a port they can put an IV into if they need to. It doesn't restrict your mobility and they like to put it in right away in case there's an emergency. They can't make you get it - you can always ask to have it done if/when it becomes necessary.
It doesn't matter what are common vaccine practices. It matters what your hospital does, so ask at the tour, and talk to the pedi practice you plan to use.