Birth plans

nakoppel · August 2015

I know a lot of mama's on here feel 'my only plan is to get this baby out some how'. Basically there is no point in having a plan because it will most likely go out the window anyway. I just finished typing up mine (so I could print and put in my hospital bag) it took up less than half a page. Mine basically says: I want an IV right away, epidural as soon as possible, no narcotic pain meds, no time limit to pushing, skin to skin/breast feeding immediately, delayed cord clamping, and what my wishes are in case of a C-section or emergency with LO How many of you are doing birth plans? How complex or not are they?

Perfect Sonnet · August 2015

To me, that sounds reasonable. They all sound more like your preferences than an intricate plan. For most of the things you list, I was asked during the birth of my first if that is the way I wanted to go.

I think it is wise to keep things as simple as possible. My birth plan is for them to get the baby out of me as quickly and painlessly as possible.

puccagirl77 · August 2015

I am genuinely curious as to why you are asking for an IV right away. What is the benefit?

You also might surprise yourself that you don't feel you really need the epidural as soon as possible. I was in labor for 4-5 hours before I felt much pain (induced with pitocin).

But to answer your question, mine was basically, "I am open to whatever my midwife suggests; I want an epi; and I want you to leave me the and baby the F alone after she is born for a good long time." They do delayed clamping by default in my practice, so fine. The part about after delivery was at least as long as the delivery part since that is what I can control and what is most important to me.

hollyberri · August 2015

What you're describing is the way a birth plan is supposed to be, some folks get caught up in the details but IMHO this sounds good.

To @puccagirl77's point, you may be surprised about whether you need the IV right away or not, but it's good to have it installed to ensure hydration and makes it easier to administer narcotics or pitocin.

Mine ended up being 3/4 of a page with my first, and just over a page with this one. The only differences are that I added verbiage about wanting my child to be able to be there, and emphasized that I don't want them to take the baby out of the room unless medically necessary. With my first, they took her within the hour from me because she was gasping a little, and because they were training a nurse and ended up doing other checks in the meantime, I didn't get her back for 2 hours. I don't want that to happen this time so I made it clear in two sections.

lifesabeach85 · August 2015

Sounds totally reasonable. You might want to check (if you haven't already) that none of this conflicts with hospital policy. Many have time limits on pushing for example.

Mine is about 6 bullet points - and is basically preferences for birth and postpartum care.

nakoppel · August 2015

puccagirl77 said:

I am genuinely curious as to why you are asking for an IV right away. What is the benefit?

You also might surprise yourself that you don't feel you really need the epidural as soon as possible. I was in labor for 4-5 hours before I felt much pain (induced with pitocin).

But to answer your question, mine was basically, "I am open to whatever my midwife suggests; I want an epi; and I want you to leave me the and baby the F alone after she is born for a good long time." They do delayed clamping by default in my practice, so fine. The part about after delivery was at least as long as the delivery part since that is what I can control and what is most important to me.

At my hospital it's policy you must have an IV of saline fluids before you can have an epidural and they can 45 mins to administer (this was told to me by the nurse who taught my prenatal hospital class). So they strongly suggest if you think you want an epidural (at any point in the process) to have the IV done right away so that when you want an epidural you'll be good to go. I hope I wont need the epidural right away but I have heard ancedotally (sp?) from other moms at the hospital that the anesthesiologist can take up to two hours to get to you. So if you request it right away by the time he gets to you you'll be ready lol!

nakoppel · August 2015

hollyberri said:

What you're describing is the way a birth plan is supposed to be, some folks get caught up in the details but IMHO this sounds good.

To @puccagirl77's point, you may be surprised about whether you need the IV right away or not, but it's good to have it installed to ensure hydration and makes it easier to administer narcotics or pitocin.

Mine ended up being 3/4 of a page with my first, and just over a page with this one. The only differences are that I added verbiage about wanting my child to be able to be there, and emphasized that I don't want them to take the baby out of the room unless medically necessary. With my first, they took her within the hour from me because she was gasping a little, and because they were training a nurse and ended up doing other checks in the meantime, I didn't get her back for 2 hours. I don't want that to happen this time so I made it clear in two sections.

I added that I wanted all medical procedures of LO done in my or my husband's presence. I was looking at the sample birth plan the bump has and it's like four pages! That seems like it would just be obnoxious for the poor nurse!

nakoppel · August 2015

@lbeach5885 that is a good point and something I hadn't considered. I'll ask my midwife tomorrow at my appointment.

MissusTexas · August 2015

Earth Mama Angel Baby's website has a tool where you can answer a questionnaire and it makes a birth plan pdf for you (free).

My hospital's policies are already pretty much in line with what I want (delayed cord clamping, kangaroo care) so I just added things like who is allowed in the delivery room and that I want a hep lock.

ETA: just because your hospital has policies doesn't mean they can't be bent or broken if you are willful enough. It's still your body and your baby and you can decline pretty much anything even if it means you have to sign a waiver.

Lalala2326 · August 2015

I have requests for my c-section. They were the same as with my daughter, and they were able to do all of them (and several wouldn't have happened had I not asked). I was told to put them in writing and give them to the nurses if there was anything I really wanted. Mine are:

Please allow my husband to remain with the baby at all times.

I would like to breastfeed as soon as possible after delivery.

Please do not give the baby any formula, sugar water, etc… unless medically necessary.

Please delay any visitors from having contact with the baby until after I’ve been able to breastfeed – otherwise the baby may starve before he/she gets to eat for the first time.

Please delay any procedures that aren’t immediately necessary until I can be there. I would really like to be there for the baby’s first bath, footprints, etc… if at all possible. I don’t want to miss any more than I absolutely have to…

Please do not administer the Hepatitis B vaccine. We have discussed this with our pediatrician, and he will administer it at the office.

countryrhodes90 · August 2015

I haven't written one up. Most of the things I care the most about ( immediate skin to skin, delayed cord clamping, rooming in, etc) , are hospital policy anyway. I have told them I want to aim for med free but if the need arises I'm open to the idea of an epidural. Im not sure if I need to write anything else up it not.

kelseyrayay · August 2015

The only thing I want is an epidural. Other than that just get the baby out.

jgorley2015 · August 2015

I did not write out a birth plan. Mine was basically no epidural unless I ask, no c-section, and I'll be breastfeeding.

Simple enough.

archetypeblonde · August 2015

I want pitocin immediately, catheter, hand and feet straps to the bed in case I get antsy, a blindfold, and an emergency c-section if forceps and vacuum alone don't work.

But really I'm playing it by ear. I just want to avoid pitocin (for fear of c section), wait out the pain as long as I can, and get an epidural after a hot minute. Skin to skin is my hospitals policy, so no complaints there! Hoping everything goes smoothly but I know anything may happen. No written plan, but I made sure I explained what I didn't want to my SO in case I can't speak for myself.

raelynch87 · August 2015

I didn't write one because what I want is already hospital policy. DH is the only family in town so I don't want to worry about people breaking down the door to meet baby girl or trying to watch me push her out. I've had a lot of people tell me they were devastated when they had to have a c section since they had planned on a med free birth. We don't have control over this and it seems like a waste of energy to let yourself feel bad. Not saying thats what you're doing or that you're putting too much thought, just my thought process.

pabeybaby · August 2015

"Please delay any visitors from having contact with the baby until after I’ve been able to breastfeed – otherwise the baby may starve before he/she gets to eat for the first time. "

This!! Lol! We are waiting to call people until we are ready for visitors, because I know the grandmothers won't give us a chance to bond or breastfeed if they're already there.

Lalala2326 · August 2015

pabeybaby said:

"Please delay any visitors from having contact with the baby until after I’ve been able to breastfeed – otherwise the baby may starve before he/she gets to eat for the first time. " This!! Lol! We are waiting to call people until we are ready for visitors, because I know the grandmothers won't give us a chance to bond or breastfeed if they're already there.

Its not such a concern this time cause the only close relatives will be at my house taking care of my 2 year old till we call them and tell them its okay to bring her up to meet the baby, but first time around all of the relatives (including some that won't be here this time) were driving up that morning while I was in surgery and were ready to pounce :P We managed to hold them off for a little while, but I was terrified the baby was going to get intercepted before she made it back to me in recovery!

deviduke412 · August 2015

I've had mine ready to go since 32 weeks since we were going on vacation 8 hours away at 33 weeks. Mine is pretty simple. 1 page all bullet points. I put mine in sections (labor and delivery, baby's care, and other). Maybe add what kind of environment you want. As in: music played, low lights, quiet talking, etc. Definitely check that everything you want can be done so you aren't fighting when you get to the hospital. Also, they can't make you get an iv, but if you're getting an epi, you'll need one of course. Mine is a med-free and intervention free type birth plan, so I'll be foregoing that and it's no issue with the hospital.

puccagirl77 · August 2015

nakoppel said:

puccagirl77 said:

I am genuinely curious as to why you are asking for an IV right away. What is the benefit?

You also might surprise yourself that you don't feel you really need the epidural as soon as possible. I was in labor for 4-5 hours before I felt much pain (induced with pitocin).

At my hospital it's policy you must have an IV of saline fluids before you can have an epidural and they can 45 mins to administer (this was told to me by the nurse who taught my prenatal hospital class). So they strongly suggest if you think you want an epidural (at any point in the process) to have the IV done right away so that when you want an epidural you'll be good to go. I hope I wont need the epidural right away but I have heard ancedotally (sp?) from other moms at the hospital that the anesthesiologist can take up to two hours to get to you. So if you request it right away by the time he gets to you you'll be ready lol!

Oh in that case, good call. When I was ready for my epi, I was READY for it. Luckily, I didn't have to wait long and I already had the IV since I was induced. Good Luck!!!

visualcircus · August 2015

My hospital had a birth plan worksheet.. so I just filled it out and put it in my go bag. They have a lot of policies I am comfortable with, such as no formula unless it is prescribed, 1st hour skin to skin bonding and breastfeeding support.

The only thing I added since it was a teaching hospital, my labor/delivery to not to be a training experience for a bunch of nurses and only necessary medical staff to be there.

BrittanyG615 · August 2015

I took mine to a doctor appointment, and we went over it together. I kept it to less than a page and was sure not to be demanding. At the top of the page I put, "Ideally, we want to have a natural, medication free birth but do understand that complications may arise. If complications occur, we are willing to deviate from our plan and choose a different path. Please keep us informed in all decision making." I also told my doctor that I wasn't planning on being a hippie and about as wild as I was getting was bringing a birthing ball. Lol Most of my preferences were for baby care anyway.

BrittanyG615 · August 2015

Edit: too early to be typing

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