I think the main thing to remember is that a preference is something you would like and consent is a different thing. If you shout "But i'd prefer to birth vaginally!" on your way to theatre they will hear someone distressed at their labour going the way it is. If you shout "I do not consent to this!" they will have to stop what they're doing.

My birth plan in full:

Birth Plan

 We are planning for a straightforward home birth. We aim to approach the birth with confidence and are not anticipating problems. If problems do arise, we?d like to deal with them at the time, with the guidance of our midwives.

First Stage:

 My birth companion is my partner. We?d like it if he was active and he?d welcome tips from the midwives on things which might help him support me in each stage.

 I would like to use breathing, warm water, massage and aromatherapy to help me deal with pain. I intend to go into labour fully informed on my choices for pain relief drugs, and don?t want to be offered them. I will ask if I feel I want them, and if I DO ask for them, it?d be good if anything else we could try was tried first (like a change of position, or massage or whatever, so that I only get drugs at the point when every other option has been exhausted). I really DON?T want the drugs but I expect I might forget this at the peak of contractions especially if labour is drawn out.

 I would like to be active during labour and adopt any positions my body tells me to. I would like internal examinations to be kept to the minimum necessary. I?d like the mood to be kept light and jokey and not too serious. Please feel free to joke with me and remind me that though it might be painful and difficult, it?s not the end of the world. We may play some music, we?ll decide in the moment.


Second Stage:

 I?d like to remain upright or on my knees to push, and let gravity help me. I would appreciate any suggestions the midwives have of positions which might help my individual labour.

 I?d rather tear than be cut, and if I do tear I?d like to be stitched unless the tear is really tiny.

 We?d like the baby to have skin-to-skin contact as soon as it is born. If for any reason I cannot do this, then DP should. I intend to breastfeed and would like to have help getting baby latched on as soon as s/he is interested.


Third Stage and the baby:

 I?d like a physiological third stage if possible but will remain flexible. DP would like to cut the cord when it has stopped pulsing. If for any reason the cord has to be cut before this and/or by a midwife, this is also fine, as is a syntocin injection if the midwife feels it medically necessary.

 We?re happy for the baby to have the vitamin K injection.
And even THAT they didn't have time to read! My hospital birth plan was different though, a few quotes...

 During the pregnancy I have come to know and trust the midwives. I am confident in their ability to help me safely deliver my baby. I don?t want medical intervention unless my baby or I are in real and immediate danger.
I consent to an episiotomy only if my baby or I am in immediate and real danger.
Because i felt i needed to be more defensive about my choices if i ended up in hospital. What i said about the midwives was true but i felt i should say it, they would know i trusted them and they would be better able to defend me against impatient obs that way.

Bx