Can you stand to critique another birth plan?

Mrs.vtjaime · July 2012

For the record, it's one page long, and I have a separate half-page for c-section that we will produce if necessary.

TIA!

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Name: Jaime Partner: William Doctor: Dr. Karen

LABOR AND DELIVERY:

We look forward to a low-intervention, medication-free birth. Thank you in advance for your help!

Please only offer pain medications if I ask for them. I am prepared to handle pain in the following ways: Breathing techniques, acupressure, water/bath/shower, distraction techniques, and massage

If necessary, I would prefer a hep-lock instead of a continuous IV.

I would like to walk around, use a birth ball, labor in the tub/shower, and try various positions for comfort measures during labor, and I prefer intermittent monitoring to allow for as much mobility as possible.

I would like to be encouraged to try the following different positions for labor: Squatting, Hands and Knees, on the Toilet, Side Lying.

I prefer to have no episiotomy and risk tearing. To help prevent tearing, please apply hot compresses, apply oil, use perennial massage, and encourage me to breathe properly for slower crowning. Please use local anesthetic for all repairs.

I prefer to have natural light only, or (if dark out) the lights dimmed and to have people use soft voices throughout labor and delivery.

I would like my baby placed immediately skin-to-skin on my abdomen or chest. Please delay clamping of the cord, and my husband would like to cut the cord.

I would prefer for the placenta to be born spontaneously without the use of Pitocin, and/or controlled traction on the umbilical cord. I would like to take the placenta home.

NEWBORN PROCEDURES:

Please delay all essential routine procedures on my baby and do not separate my baby and me until after bonding and breastfeeding. If the baby has any problems, I would like my husband to be present with the baby at all times, if possible.

Please do not administer eye drops to my baby. I would like to delay the administration of vitamin K up to 1 hour after birth, after breastfeeding and bonding, unless medically necessary. I prefer any immunizations to be postponed to a later time (ie. no Hep B vaccine)

Please do not bathe my baby.

My baby is to be exclusively breastfed. Do not offer my baby the following without my consent: Formula, pacifier, sugar water, or any artificial nipples.

I would like my in-hospital routine to be full rooming-in, no separation, no exceptions, unless my baby is sick. I prefer that my hospital stay be as short as possible.

If my baby?s health is in jeopardy, I would like to be transported with my baby if possible and for my husband to remain with the baby.

sschwege · July 2012

I think you are on the right track. If it were me I would shorten your wishes to make them brief bullets. For example: For the first one I would just say, "I would prefer intermittent monitoring." or "I would prefer intermittent monitoring to facilitate mobility, while in labor."

For the second bullet I'm guessing you mean for the pushing phase, not while in labor, if that's the case change it to say something like, "I would like to be encouraged to push in any position I choose including..."

You talk about using local anesthetic for repairs. This seems unnecessary, unless you are really concerned they will use something else. I would just ask at your next appointment what is standard procedure, I'm betting it's just local. I would also ask about your doc/MWs' stance on episiotomies, if they say they use them only for emergencies then leave that off as well.

It looks good you might just want to make it a little more brief. Also what are your thoughts on 'pain scales' and cervical checks? You might want to add something about that if it's important to you. Good job!

BLuvsE · July 2012

sschwege:

I think you are on the right track. If it were me I would shorten your wishes to make them brief bullets. For example: For the first one I would just say, "I would prefer intermittent monitoring." or "I would prefer intermittent monitoring to facilitate mobility, while in labor."

For the second bullet I'm guessing you mean for the pushing phase, not while in labor, if that's the case change it to say something like, "I would like to be encouraged to push in any position I choose including..."

You talk about using local anesthetic for repairs. This seems unnecessary, unless you are really concerned they will use something else. I would just ask at your next appointment what is standard procedure, I'm betting it's just local. I would also ask about your doc/MWs' stance on episiotomies, if they say they use them only for emergencies then leave that off as well.

It looks good you might just want to make it a little more brief. Also what are your thoughts on 'pain scales' and cervical checks? You might want to add something about that if it's important to you. Good job!

This - especially the brevity. The nurses are more likely to read it, comprehend it, and enforce it if it's brief.

I like your polite tone! The nurses are there to help you and deserve to be spoken to and treated politely!

Birdies08 · July 2012

I don't know how it is where you are planning to deliver, but rooming in was routine at the hospital where I delivered LO, so I just let them know I was doing that and didn't need to include the "do not offer my baby" part of my birth plan. That was something that was made clear at my hospital tour, but just a thought for you.

It is easy to understand and polite- I like it!

LindseyJW · July 2012

hi there!!! almost time for baby!!

i echo what's already been said. find out what is standard/routine with both your care provider and the birthing location. then delete whatever is on your plan that is also standard/routine.

i would use bullets instead of sentences. better change of something being read!

i like sschege's addition to the position bullet and might add "or other suggestions that you think will help" and "and i am open to your suggestions" to your pain management bullet (if, indeed, you are open to suggestion).

IMO, it's not necessary to put on your BP that you want the lights dim or voices low. you set the stage when you arrive. turn the lights down and people will know to keep it quiet b/c dimmed lights usually cause people to speak more quietly.

pixieprincss · July 2012

You are on the right track! Ditto PPs with bullets. I think the light/quiet thing is worth talking to your Dr about. The Dr who delivered DS insisted on turning on these horribly bright lights that I hated because that was "just how it is done". As for the placenta, make sure you know explicitly all that your Dr and hospital require ahead of time--assume nothing about them allowing you to take it, even if the local government says it is yours. I think the rooming in thing can go, if you go over 1 page with bullet because you or DH can make sure of those things happen/don't happen as desired. Plus, that will very likely be a different team of nurses who may not ever see your birth preferences list.

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