FTM birth plan help?

JellyTwoPointO · February 2013

Hi ladies! I was wondering if you could give me some insight as I start creating a birth plan as a FTM hoping for a natural hospital birth. I heard a recommendation somewhere that its best to keep your birth plan to one page or else nurses and the doctor will just breeze over it or not take the time to take things seriously.

In my head, I keep wondering how one page could really be enough because I was hoping to be thorough in my birth plan and not be vague... It would seem like a generalized, vague birth plan might defeat the purpose? So does anyone have tips on writing a birth plan and what do you consider the biggest things that should be included versus what are some of the smaller details that can be left out.

Thank you!

pdilly2b · February 2013

Try not to put anything in there that is already standard practice for them - it just wastes space. Also, try bullet points. I've copied mine below (it was bullets, but copy and paste messed up the formatting).

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I would like to aim for a medication and intervention free birth. If interventions are needed and time/urgency permits, I would like to attempt more natural alternatives (e.g., breast pump instead of pitocin for induction) or discuss the benefits and consequences of delaying the intervention.

For birth, my wishes are:

? I do not want to be offered pain medication.

? I would like to be able to move around and change positions during labor.

o I would like a Hep lock instead of an IV.

o I would like intermittent monitoring instead of continuous monitoring.

? I do not want an episiotomy (would prefer a natural tear).

? We would like to delay cord clamping/cutting for 3-5 min after birth (if the situation allows).

? I would like my son to be immediately placed on my chest and to delay newborn procedures for 1 hour (if the situation allows).

? I do not want to receive a Pitocin shot for the delivery of the placenta unless there is a problem with my uterus clamping down.

For after birth, my wishes are:

? I would like to breastfeed (no bottles, pacifiers, formula, or glucose water).

? We would like to decline our baby receiving the Hepatitis B vaccine while at the hospital.

? We would like our son to be circumcised.

aylafsu88 · February 2013

I agree with the PP. My Bradley instructor also recommending making things in bold or colors to make them stand out. She also suggested using phrases like "we would like" and "please refrain from". These phrases are less hostile and a gentler way to get your wishes across. Here is my birth plan.

I) LABOR- We would like to avoid continuous electronic fetal monitoring

-We would like to avoid vaginal exams until the urge to push

- Please refrain from offering pain medication of any kind

-We plan to move freely and labor in whatever position is comfortable

- We would like to avoid rupture of membranes or Pitocin to move labor along

-We would like to avoid an IV but will allow a hep lock to be put in

II) Delivery/Birth- Any medical interventions will be discussed b/t husband and I privately before any decision is made.

-We prefer to tear naturally

-We will push in any position I feel comfortable, squatting, kneeling, side position

- Want immediate skin to skin contact with the baby

-We would like to delay cord clamping for 3-5 mins after birth

-Husband would like to cut the cord once it has stopped pulsing

-Please clean and take care of baby on chest, no immediate removal for weight or eye ointment

-We would like baby to breast feed immediately following birth

-Once baby has breast feed (@ 1-2 hr) then eye ointment and shots can be administered

-Pitocin and any other drug can be administered to stop hemorrhaging or help shrink uterus

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tokenhoser · February 2013

There are sample birth plans in the FAQ (link in siggy).

My birth plan was a great tool to discuss with my doctor to make sure she was willing to do things I wanted, like delayed cord clamping. Also, to tell her I was planning an unmedicated birth and ask questions about hospital policies.

A birth plan should be a concise list of your wants and things you would like to avoid. No paragraphs. Bullet points are good. There are plenty of templates, but you can often cut those down based on what standard practise is. Like, some of them have bits about shaving and enemas, and that's just not relevant in many places any more.

bornmommy · February 2013

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Here is mine from my natural birth Smile

We understand that birth can be unpredictable. We are presenting this birth plan to encourage dialogue and to help us achieve a safe and satisfying birth. Our baby's health and well being is of utmost importance to us. We look forward to working with you, and appreciate your cooperation in helping our family to achieve our personal birthing goals.

TO KNOW:

- We do not want anyone permitted in the labor/delivery room besides a member of the team above. No other family members, medical students, etc, are allowed in the room, unless medically necessary and discussed with Paul or me prior to admittance.

BEFORE LABOR BEGINS:

I expect, and trust, that my practitioner will seek my opinion, and that of my partner, on all issues that may affect my birth experience or that deviate from this plan.

FIRST STAGE OF CHILDBIRTH: LABOR

First Stage, Phase I - Latent Labor:

Ideally, I would like my environment to have dimmed lights, to have voices respectfully lowered

First Stage, Phase II - Active Labor - Getting to 10 cm:

I understand that I will be working REALLY hard. Therefore:

If hospital rules do not allow food, I would like to have access to clear fluids, like water, Recharge?, Gatorade?, and/or ice-chips.

Ideally, I'd like a drug-free birth. Only offer medications if I ask.
I would like the opportunity to try non-medical, non-invasive pain-relief methods. Some therapies I feel would be useful for me include: Massage, Guided relaxation, Water (shower/bath), Change in position, Hot/cold therapy, Acupressure

SECOND STAGE OF CHILDBIRTH: PUSHING AND DELIVERY

Pushing:

I would like my husband to coach me through pushing. Please do not offer advice unless I ask for it or unless my baby is being compromised.
I would like to be free of time limits on pushing. It is important to me to allow my body to operate in its natural rhythm and time-table.

Vaginal Delivery:

Ideally, I would like to avoid an episiotomy. To that end, I would like my practitioner or birth partner to support me with:

encouragement to breath with my urge push, allowing me to move with the flow and force of my uterus.
I would like my baby to be placed on my abdomen immediately following the birth.
If warming is necessary, please allow baby to be warmed on my abdomen, covered by blankets.
I would like delayed cord clamping, allowing the cord to stop pulsating, and then cut and clamped.

If Complications Lead to a Cesarean Delivery:

Please keep communication open. If, at all possible, please wait for my express consent, or that of my partner, before initiating any procedure.
Ideally, I would like to remain awake and aware, avoiding general anesthesia if possible.
Please leave at least one of my hands free so I may touch my baby when he or she is born.
Assuming the baby is well, I would like to hold my baby on my chest and/or nurse my baby as soon as possible.

THIRD STAGE OF CHILDBIRTH: DELIVERY OF PLACENTA OR AFTERBIRTH

I would like the opportunity to see the placenta. I understand that the placenta has been my baby's life support system, providing him or her with daily nutrients, warmth and eliminating his or her wastes. Assuming both baby and I are well after the delivery, I would like the opportunity to see the placenta.

IMMEDIATE NEWBORN CARE:

Suction and Cord Care:

would like to have Paul cut the baby's umbilical cord.

Eyedrops, Vitamin K and other Procedures:

I would like to postpone routine newborn procedures until I have had a chance to bond with my baby.
We are not consenting to the HEP B vaccination at birth.
I would like for my birth partner(s) or me to be present during all newborn procedures. If you require the need to remove our baby from the room at any time, please involve us and Paul or I will accompany our baby to wherever you may need go.

Bathing and Circumcision:

If the baby is a boy,

We are circumcising.

We would like to give our baby his or her first bath. We would also like to use the soap we bring.

Rooming-In and Feeding:

My preference for in-hospital infant care is:

Full rooming in -- no separation.

You may not offer my baby -

Formula
Sugar water
Pacifiers
Artificial nipples

My feeding preference is:

to breastfeed exclusively.

I would like the assistance of a lactation consultant to help me with nursing.
I would like my hospital/birth center stay to be as short as possible.

Sick Baby and Postpartum Care:

If my baby is not well, I would like to:

accompany my baby, or have my partner accompany the baby if transported to another facility.
breastfeed, or provide my expressed milk for my baby.
have unlimited visitation for my partner and myself.

luvmyducks · February 2013

This is what I brought to the hospital--short and sweet is what my doula said it should be:

Mr. and Mrs. luvmyducks

Due Date: xx/xx/xx for DD

OB: Dr. B

Ped: Dr. B

Birth Support: Sisters

I trust that my practitioner and nurses will seek out my opinion concerning all of the issues directly affecting my birth before deviating from my plan.

I plan a birth without the use of pain medication and without intervention. If I wish to discuss other options at some point, I will ask, please do not ask me.

I am not expecting or desiring any visitors during my labor and immediately following the birth. Please be sure that no one is allowed to enter my room, except my husband and listed birth support, until we say we are ready for visitors.

Please keep the lights dim, curtains drawn and the door closed at all times.

Please allow me freedom of movement and the ability to make frequent position changes, keep vaginal checks to a minimum, use intermittent fetal monitoring and if I do need monitoring, please use the telemetry unit.

I want the ability to chose a body position that feels right to me during the pushing stage.

We want the umbilical cord to stop pulsating before it is clamped and cut.

I plan to breastfeed and appreciate any early support you can give me. Please put off all meds and bathing for the allotted first hour following birth to give us quiet time.

For my OB it was more detailed:

Birth Plan - luvmyducks

Spouse: Mr. luvmyducks

Due Date: xx/xx/xx

Obstetrician: Dr. B, Pediatrician: Dr. B

I trust that my practitioner will seek out my opinion concerning all of the issues directly affecting my birth before deviating from my plan.

Labor Augmentation/Induction

I do not wish to receive any sort of induction medication at any point unless medically necessary.
If medical induction becomes necessary, I prefer to try stripping/rupturing membranes.
If NST observation becomes necessary after my due date, I am flexible and support this procedure.

People Present

Upon arrival at the hospital, I prefer to have my husband with me at all times.
I would prefer that no students, interns, residents or non-essential personnel be present during my labor or the birth.
Only my husband, and my sisters, are allowed in the room during delivery.
I do not want any visitors in the room until after skin-to-skin contact and until my husband and I say we are ready.

Labor

I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labor.
I would like to be able to have fluids by mouth throughout the first stage of labor.
I would prefer to keep the number of vaginal exams to a minimum.
I do not want an IV unless I become dehydrated.
I do not wish for my bag of waters to be broken. If my doctor feels it is necessary, I wish for it to be prolonged as long as possible.

Monitoring

I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring unless it is required by the condition of my baby. If needed, I would like the wireless monitor so I can move around freely.
I do not want an internal monitor unless my baby has shown some sign of distress.

Anesthesia/Pain Medication

I realize that many pain medications exist. I'll ask for them if I need them.
If I ask for pain medication, I will want an intrathecal.

Cesarean

Unless absolutely necessary, I would like to avoid a Cesarean.
If a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to be fully informed and to participate in the decision-making process.
I would like my husband present at all times if my baby requires a Cesarean delivery.
If my baby is not in distress, my baby should be given to myself or my husband immediately after birth.
I wish to remain conscious during a Cesarian.
I prefer my hands to be free so I can touch/hold the baby immediately after birth.
Episiotomy
- I trust my doctor to make the right decision about an episiotomy, but I prefer to tear.
- I would appreciate guidance in when to push and when to stop pushing so the perineum can stretch.
- I would like a local anesthetic to repair a tear or an episiotomy.
Delivery
- I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth.
- I would like my husband and/or nurses to support me and my legs as necessary during the pushing stage, if that is what I want at the moment.
- I would like to have my baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
Immediately After Delivery
- I would prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before it is cut.
- I would like to have my husband cut the cord, if he feels up to it.
- I would like to hold my baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
- I would like to hold the baby for as long as possible before she is photographed, examined, etc.
- I plan to keep my baby near me following birth and would appreciate if the evaluation of my baby can be done with my baby on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation.
- I would like to have my baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
- If my baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, my husband or some other person I designate will accompany my baby at all times.
Postpartum
- Unless required for health reasons, I do not wish to be separated from my baby.
Breastfeeding
- I plan to breastfeed my baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth.
- Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to my baby (including glucose water or plain water).
- I do not want my baby to be given a pacifier.
- I would like to meet with a lactation consultant.
Photo/Video

I would like my sisters to take still photographs/videotape during labor and the birth.

(sorry formatting got kinda weird.)

starlightstef · February 2013

Like other posters have said, bullet points are great. Also, if you can keep each bullet point to a sentence or phrase, even better! I did include one paragraph at the beginning expressing my desire for a natural birth. I explained that I respect their medical opinion and will cooperate if a true medical need arises for intervention. I did include a few things that are standard practice for my mw, but only because if for some reason neither mw could make it, I would then get one of the ob's from the office.

Our doula recommended doing one plan for the birth and a separate one for the baby (i.e. breast feeding, bathing, etc) because the nurses would be different for those two stages and that helps them not have to wade through stuff that doesn't pertain to their job. My birth plan was about one page and the baby wish list was about 1/2 page.

nosoup4u · February 2013

kitchencolors:
For a hospital birth, I think that a thorough understanding of the standard practices at the hospital is very important. My birth plan would have looked much like this:

Yeah, I think making sure your provider/hospital is supportive of med-free birth is the most important thing to do.

In my mind, a birth plan is short enough that you can pretty much remember what's on it without having it in front of you (which is what happened to me both times). But I think the act of writing a birth plan is a good one, in that it helps women sort out which interventions they want, and also learn about all the interventions that are usually present during a hospital birth.

That being said, this was mine for my VBAC:

? I would like to use the telemetry unit for continuous monitoring, have access to a tub and have the squat bar available for pushing
? Please do not offer me pain medications or epidural. I will ask for them if I feel the need
? Heplock only, no IV unless medically neccesary
? No vaginal checks unless I request them
? Please turn down the sound on the monitor to not hear the baby?s heartbeat
? I am planning on doing mother-directed/undirected pushing. I will ask for help or coaching if I feel the need
? Delayed cord clamping

abell77 · February 2013

Keep it to one page, and easy to read. Keep in mind that there are many, if not most things that your partner can speak up and communicate for you. Try to keep the birth plan to the most crucial things.

holly753 · February 2013

I have had four unmed natural births and plan the same for baby 5. I've never had an actual "birth plan" other than I did not want to be medicated. Most of the procedures I read in birth plans are things that occur in most births anyway,I do not see any reason to write it down and expect doctors and nurses to take time away from patients to read through it all. I would suggest talking things through with your ob and SO beforehand and just go with the flow when the day arrives.