Birth Plan

HaleyMonstah · December 2014

Not sure if there is already a thread on this. I'm trying to put together something for my doctor, but not as extensive as a full birth plan offered here on TheBump

I basically just want to communicate who is in the room for delivery, visitors, and some guidelines for the baby. What's the best way to communicate these things. Pain medication, drugs, baby monitoring and other things like that have already been discussed and noted with my doctor. I was just curious how one would communicate other important details without filling out an extensive 10 page birth plan. Is that something one would just discuss with the nurse when you arrive at the hospital, or is this something that should be set in stone and written down before delivery?

Thanks for your help

mle106 · December 2014

I'm planning to ask my midwife about this - I seem to remember that mine has a sort of form/checklist to complete as I get further along, so it might be good to ask your doctor exactly as you stated it above - "What is the best way to communicate who is in the room for delivery, visitors, guidelines for the baby, etc.?"

nbad311 · December 2014

Does your OB office provide a standard one, or a template or anything? Mine does, and I found it perfectly sufficient for my needs. It was only 12 questions or so, mainly about drug usage, who's in the room with you, circumcision if having a boy, etc, but it sounds like you may already have these things covered? Ask at your next appointment, and see what they suggest for your additional needs (writing your own, starting with some generic one and adding specifics, or whatever)

Angeldcf · December 2014

Went through my old docs & found my birthplan for DS:

Full Name: Preferences for Labor & Birth

Patient of *********, MD

Patient DOB: **********

ALLERGIES: Nsaids, Cephalexin
Conditions: Asthma, Hashimoto's
EDC: 12-6-10

This birth plan outlines some of my preferences for labor & delivery. I understand there may be situations in which my choices aren’t medically possible. When possible, I want to be informed of any procedures in advance, to be allowed to give informed consent and to actively participate in the care of myself and my baby. Please feel free to comment or ask questions. Thank you.

Visitors

During actual delivery, my spouse is the only non-medical personnel allowed in the room.

Anesthesia/Pain Medication

I prefer an epidural for pain management. I would like to labor naturally before receiving an epidural including position changes, birthing ball, walking. (funny bc this time I don't want an epi)

Perineal Care

I prefer to tear rather than have an episiotomy unless there is an urgent medical need.

After Birth

Please allow the umbilical cord to stop pulsating before it is clamped & cut. I would like my husband to cut the cord if possible. Please place the baby of my stomach/chest immediately after vaginal delivery. If C-section, please allow me to see the baby before being taken away if possible.

Breastfeeding

I plan to breastfeed & want to nurse immediately following the birth if possible. Please do not give the baby supplements (formula, glucose, paci) without my consent. I would like to meet with the lactation consultant after delivery.

Additional notes for a boy

I would like the baby to be circumcised before we are discharged. I would like local anesthetic to be used for the circumcision.

DBride2006 · December 2014

Mine was similar to the one above. Just a kind, polite list of my preferences, understanding other measures may be medically necessary.

I guess I have one to my doctor in the weeks leading up to my due date, but considering how little time my doctor spent with me during labor, it was more crucial to give it to the nurses when I checked into the hospital. Making sure your DH knows it well is important to so he can reinforce your preferences if he notices anything going astray.

I wanted an epi, but NO narcotic drugs and it was taking forever for the anesthesiologist to get there, so I vaguely remember them asking me if I wanted anything for the pain. It was so blurry and I did say no, but that's where it would have been good to have DH backing me up. (Although to be fair, I was delirious from the pain, so far be it from him to stand in the way of pain relief for me at that point!)

animalcrckr · December 2014

I think birth plans are overrated. I've never had one and never felt like it was necessary. I've been able to make decisions as labor progresses. Nurse asks, "Do you want an epidural?", you say yes or no. I think verbal communication is the best:) If I were in a life or death situation, I highly doubt someone is going to pause to grab my birth plan. DH and I are on the same page as far as L&D/newborn procedures so I also have him as backup.

On issues such as pain meds, circumcision, breastfeeding, Vit K, erythromycin in the eyes, Hep B shot, etc, I have been able to communicate as we go. It's not like someone is going to walk in and circumcise your baby without asking you.

t8keepr03 · December 2014

I didn't have a written birth plan. My hospital asked me a few basic questions that I answered and she typed into the computer. This is what they referred to while I was there in L&D and postpartum.

misshart00 · December 2014

I haven't had a birth plan either. I just answer questions as they come up. And I agree, if something is life or death, they're not going to go find your birth plan.

jazzybaby13 · December 2014

I honestly like the idea of a written birth plan. I like it because there are no questions after that. You write down exactly what you want and then the doctors know what to do that will make you feel comfortable. I probably would go online and print off a birth plan. After i would ask your doctor if it covered all areas needed for your proceedure.

animalcrckr · December 2014

jazzybaby13 said:

I honestly like the idea of a written birth plan. I like it because there are no questions after that. You write down exactly what you want and then the doctors know what to do that will make you feel comfortable. I probably would go online and print off a birth plan. After i would ask your doctor if it covered all areas needed for your proceedure.

The reality of the situation is that your doctor and nurses are going to talk to YOU. They may read your birth plan but there is still going to be an exchange of words. Birthing a baby is a very intimate experience for all involved. That's great to have it written down but you do not walk into L&D, hand over a sheet (or 10) of paper and not say anything. That would be weird.

jazzybaby13 · December 2014

animalcrckr said:

jazzybaby13 said:

I honestly like the idea of a written birth plan. I like it because there are no questions after that. You write down exactly what you want and then the doctors know what to do that will make you feel comfortable. I probably would go online and print off a birth plan. After i would ask your doctor if it covered all areas needed for your proceedure.

The reality of the situation is that your doctor and nurses are going to talk to YOU. They may read your birth plan but there is still going to be an exchange of words. Birthing a baby is a very intimate experience for all involved. That's great to have it written down but you do not walk into L&D, hand over a sheet (or 10) of paper and not say anything. That would be weird.

I understand. But i would and am definately ging to write out a birth plan. That way they have an idea of what you wnt. I know they will still be asking along the way of the real deal what you want, but to be aware of what they wil be asking, especially for first time mothers, is soothing. And to know your options for what you can and camt do is definately a plus. Im a first time mommy nd id like to know before.

mom2xover2002 · December 2014

For me and my hubs peace of mind I'm making one. Just general info like yes to Demerol no to epidural, who can visit when, and basic info like the one typed above on allergies, any diagnosis that they need to know. I know I don't talk much during labor and like it quiet so I can focus so it will be nice fur hubs to have an idea what I want as my backup. An L&D nurse friend of mine said make it short and sweet not a million pages long. They have other patients and may not have the time to read forever.

wintersong139 · December 2014

nbad311 said:

Does your OB office provide a standard one, or a template or anything? Mine does, and I found it perfectly sufficient for my needs. It was only 12 questions or so, mainly about drug usage, who's in the room with you, circumcision if having a boy, etc, but it sounds like you may already have these things covered? Ask at your next appointment, and see what they suggest for your additional needs (writing your own, starting with some generic one and adding specifics, or whatever)

I was going to say this. My midwife gave me one at my last appointment, and it was super helpful. Plus, you know that the nurses are familiar with the format is lots of other mothers use the same template, so they can consult it quickly.

Dannylion24 · December 2014

animalcrckr said:
I think birth plans are overrated. I've never had one and never felt like it was necessary. I've been able to make decisions as labor progresses. Nurse asks, "Do you want an epidural?", you say yes or no. I think verbal communication is the best:) If I were in a life or death situation, I highly doubt someone is going to pause to grab my birth plan. DH and I are on the same page as far as L&D/newborn procedures so I also have him as backup.

On issues such as pain meds, circumcision, breastfeeding, Vit K, erythromycin in the eyes, Hep B shot, etc, I have been able to communicate as we go. It's not like someone is going to walk in and circumcise your baby without asking you.

^^^ Yep, all of this.

Dannylion24 · December 2014

I given birth in 3 different hospitals with 3 different doctors and sets of hospital staff and really have never been in a situation where I could imagine a l&d nurse or dr actually consulting a birth plan before making a decision or just asking me my preference. I completely agree with creating a birth plan if that offers the mommy-to-be peace of mind and is used as a way to solidify her wishes in her own mind and organize her research, but in practice? It's not like the staff places it on the door and everyone who enters is required to read it before coming in ... Unless others have had his experience? Now I'm curious.

maltwin1 · December 2014

I say make a written birth plan if it gives you piece of mind, but I think it's more important that it be given to your SO/support person than the doctor or nursing staff. When I gave birth to DS the doctor I had seen through out my pregnancy was not on call and he was delivered by someone I had never met. A written birth plan in a file at my OB's office would not have done anyone any good, and by the time I was in labor it was easier to just tell people what I wanted. I have never heard of a doctor of nurse taking a break to read a birth plan when he could just ask.

That being said, the best person to go over who is allowed in and who isn't would be the nursing staff when you arrive. More than likely a doctor won't be called in until it's time to push, but the nurses will be in and out the whole time.

Neesey · December 2014

Dannylion24 said:

animalcrckr said:
I think birth plans are overrated. I've never had one and never felt like it was necessary. I've been able to make decisions as labor progresses. Nurse asks, "Do you want an epidural?", you say yes or no. I think verbal communication is the best:) If I were in a life or death situation, I highly doubt someone is going to pause to grab my birth plan. DH and I are on the same page as far as L&D/newborn procedures so I also have him as backup.

On issues such as pain meds, circumcision, breastfeeding, Vit K, erythromycin in the eyes, Hep B shot, etc, I have been able to communicate as we go. It's not like someone is going to walk in and circumcise your baby without asking you.
^^^ Yep, all of this.

Each state and hospital can be different. Here they do NOT ask about vitamin k, hep b shot, antibiotics for eyes, etcetera. Some are mandated by state law and you need to have it written down that you don't want them. The nurses from l&d I have spoken with do read birth plans if they are short and sweet. They aren't going to read a novel.

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