Our Birth Plan!

We've never actually had a birth plan before, so we thought we'd create one this time! Of course, this would be best case scenario...I'm not holding my breath!

Home Labor Goals
• We would like to labor at home as long as possible, with our doula present, before going to the hospital.

• We will call our midwife when contractions are 5 minutes apart

• We will go to the hospital when contractions are 3-4 minutes apart and painful


Hospital Labor Goals

• We plan to have present at the birth and or labor: Midwife, Father- Kenny, Doula- Kelly Hagen

• The mother prefers not to have an IV administered unless determined to be required for another procedure to facilitate delivery.

• The mother prefers not to have a catheter unless determined to be required for another procedure to facilitate delivery.

• The mother would like to wear her own gown, although the staff may offer her a hospital gown.

• The mother would like the opportunity to be up out of bed as much as possible during labor, depending on her needs.

• The mother would like to be allowed snacks and water during labor if necessary to give her body the energy it needs.

• We would prefer to not use an electronic fetal heart monitor if possible


Birth Goals

• We are attempting to have a natural, un-medicated birth without unnecessary medical or chemical intervention!!!

• We would like to be allowed to labor as long as it takes, with no time limit (within reason)

• We would prefer not to have the water artificially broken.
• We understand that there are procedures which may become necessary. Except in the case of an emergency, we ask that we be given the opportunity to accept or refuse any procedure or medication.
• We request that the least invasive or restricting versions of procedures be used.


Induction (if necessary)

• We ask that non-chemical induction methods be tried first: walking, breast stimulation, sexual intercourse.


Pain Management Goals
• We plan to handle pain with relaxation, massage and water (shower or tub).

Delivery Goals
• The mother prefers not to have an episiotomy unless determined to be medically necessary. She would first like to try perineal massage, support and warm compresses.
• If labor or delivery seems stalled, we would like the opportunity to try different positions (hands and knees, squatting, birth stools, etc.).
• We would like to have the baby placed on the mother's chest with skin-to-skin contact immediately after the birth and for the first 1 to 2 hours following the birth.

• We would like the initial examinations for baby done while baby is laying on mom.
• We would like to try to have the baby breastfeed as soon as possible.


Umbilical Cord

• We would like to allow time for the cord to stop pulsing before cutting the umbilical cord.

• Please offer the father the opportunity to cut the cord


Newborn Care Goals
• Please delay all procedures until we have spent some time with the baby, preferably as long as possible before leaving the labor and delivery room.
• We would like to be present at the baby's first bath.


Circumcision
• We would like the father to be present at the circumcision.

Cesarean Section (if necessary)• The mother would like to be conscious

• The mother would like the father present

• We would prefer that our baby breastfeed immediately or as soon as possible afterward in the recovery room.

• We prefer the baby and father remain in the recovery room with the mother.


Breastfeeding Goals

• We would like to establish breastfeeding. Please do not offer any bottles to the baby without parents' notification of a medical need.

• We would like to meet with a lactation consultant before leaving the hospital to have techniques checked.


Thank you for taking the time to help us achieve a natural childbirth for our baby!