Birth Plans

When setting up your plan know what things are most important to you. Some women are adamantly against an IV and some are not. Some want to be able to labor in the water and some do not. Come up with what things you want in your birth and start there. Below are some examples of birth plans that can help get you started.

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BIRTH PLAN #1

We are planning a natural, unmedicated VBAC and are surrounding ourselves with people that can support and encourage us in our decision. With that being said, below are the practices we wish to use and avoid during the birth of our child.

Pregnancy: No arbitrary time limits, routine induction of labor, or stripping of membranes
Labor (Stage I):
• No routine vaginal exams
• Monitoring of fetal heart tones by fetoscope or DopTone
• No routine IV prefer a Heplock
• Unrestricted movement and positions throughout labor
• No arbitrary time limits or routine augmentation
• Membranes left intact to rupture spontaneously, esp. prior to engagement of head
• Pain relief by relaxation, shower, walking and other movement and position changes, adequate nutrition by mouth
• Opportunity of signing “Against Medical Advice” waivers if certain options are declined
Birth (Labor Stage II):
• Choice of comfortable and effective positions
• Allow mother to birth at her own pace with no arbitrary time limits
• Encouragement to birth slowly and gently following own pushing urges, allowing tissues time to stretch and pelvic outlet to open properly
• Possible compresses and perineal support to allow tissues to stretch
(Stage III):
• Allow baby to clear own mucus naturally rather than routine suctioning
• Baby to be placed on mother’s abdomen immediately upon birth; warming by skin-to-skin contact and blankets placed over baby
• Allow cord to stop pulsating completely before any clamping, cutting or administration of medications to mother
• Local anesthesia should there be tearing in need of repair
• Time for breastfeeding and natural separation of placenta
• No manual exploration of uterus after birth
• Breastfeeding as desired by mother and baby, on demand
Postpartum:
• Rooming-in of baby with mother
• All observation/examinations/procedures for infant to be done in mother’s or father’s presence
• Bathing done at parents’ request, by parents, or not at all if parents desire
• Vitamin K given only with informed consent of parents
• Delayed eye treatment, given only with informed consent of parents
• PKU test given only with informed consent of parents (after at least 24 hours of breastfeeding)
• Vaccines given only with informed consent of parents
• 100% breastfeeding; no bottles, water, pacifiers, etc.
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BIRTH PLAN #2

MONITORING
I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring unless it is required by the condition of the baby.

LABOR AUGMENTATION/INDUCTION
I do not wish to have the amniotic membrane ruptured artificially unless signs of fetal distress require internal monitoring. I would prefer to be allowed to try changing position and other natural methods (walking, nipple stimulation) before pitocin is administered.

ANESTHESIA/PAIN MEDICATION
I would like to have an unmedicated birth.

CESAREAN
Unless absolutely necessary, I would like to avoid a Cesarean.

EPISIOTOMY
I am hoping to protect the perineum. I am practicing ahead of time by squatting, doing Kegel exercises, and perineal massage. If possible, I would like to use perineal massage to help avoid the need for an episiotomy.

DELIVERY
I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth, including squatting. I would like to try to deliver in a squatting position, using (coach) or a squatting bar for support. I would appreciate having the room lights turned low for the actual delivery. I would like to have the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery. I would like to breast feed as quickly as possible.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER DELIVERY
I would like to have (coach) cut the cord. I would like to hold the baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made. I plan to keep the baby near me following birth and would appreciate if the evaluation of the baby can be done with the baby on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation. If the baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, (coach) or some other person I designate will accompany the baby at all times. I would prefer to hold the baby rather than have (him/her) placed under heat lamps. I do not want a routine injection of pitocin after the delivery to aid in expelling the placenta.

POSTPARTUM
I would like to have the baby “room in” and be with me at all times.

BREASTFEEDING
I plan to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth. Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to the baby (including glucose water or plain water). I do not want the baby to be given a pacifier.

OTHER
My support people are (support people) and I would like them to be present during labor and/or delivery. I would like my other child/ren to be able to visit me and the baby in the hospital.

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BIRTH PLAN #3

We are very excited about the birth of our child and look forward to a wonderful birth experience at CMC Pineville! We have spent a lot of time attending childbirth classes and researching various aspects of childbirth in order to educate ourselves, and would like to make the following requests:

We prefer our doula to remain with us throughout the labor and delivery.

We understand that external fetal monitoring is required upon admission; however, we wish for its use to be limited. We prefer the use of a doptone.

We prefer that I be mobile during labor, and would like the ability to change positions at will. We plan to make use of a birthing ball, squatting bar, massage, soft music, dim lighting, and tub, and prefer I spend limited time lying supine.

We are striving to have an unmedicated childbirth and prefer not to be offered pain medication including epidurals and narcotics.

We prefer no IV or heplock be placed upon admission. If intravenous fluids/medications are required, we prefer a heplock.

We prefer labor to progress without augmentation of any kind, including Pitocin or amniotomy.

We prefer limited vaginal exams.

We prefer no vacuum or forceps assisted delivery.

We prefer that I not be given an episiotomy and understand this may lead to tearing. In the event of a tear, we prefer anesthetic be applied after the cord is cut and the placenta is delivered.

If possible, we would like Mark to assist in catching the baby.

We prefer to allow the placenta to be delivered without assistance, pulling, or medication.

We prefer the umbilical cord be cut by Mark after it stops pulsating.

We do not want the baby to have the Hepatitis B vaccine administered at the hospital.

We would like the antibiotic eye ointment and Vitamin K injection to be administered after a waiting period of 1-2 hours after birth, after the baby has had time for nursing and bonding.

We prefer skin to skin contact and breast feeding immediately after birth.

We prefer that no supplemental bottles, formula, pacifiers, or water be given to our baby

Our baby will be rooming in throughout our stay, and will be escorted by a parent at all times if required to be taken out of the room for any reason.

We understand that in the event of an emergency flexibility is required, and we will discuss necessary changes to our birth plan with the hospital staff and medical team. Thank you for helping us make the birth of our baby unique and special.