Please tell me if I am missing anything major in the following intentions!!
? I wish to stay at home for the early stage of labour. I intend to inform you and update you on my progress whilst this occurs.
? I do not wish to be artificially induced. I would like for labour to start spontaneously, whether that be at 38 weeks or 42 weeks (I am not expecting to reach 42 weeks due to my first labour starting spontaneously at 38 weeks).
? I plan to endure labour pain naturally, with warm water (bath/shower) and massage as my only form of pain relief.
? I would prefer internal examinations be kept to a minimum.
? I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring ? only intermittently when necessary.
? I plan to bring my own relaxation music, and would prefer to have the room dimly lit.
? My husband will be my sole support person throughout the labour.
? I intend to have an active labour ? utilising gravity and various positions to assist me.
? I do not wish to birth laying on my back, but in a standing or squatting position, where gravity will be of assistance.
? I wish to avoid an episiotomy if possible (I suffered a post-labour perenial haematoma due to an episiotomy at my first birth ? very painful experience!), and I would like to receive assistance in supporting the perenium to prevent tearing.
? I wish to have my baby placed on my chest immediately after birth.
? I wish for my husband to cut the umbilical cord, only after it has stopped pulsating.
? I wish for my baby to remain closeby whilst he/she is checked.
? I do NOT wish for my baby to receive Hep B or Vit K injections, and I wish not to be challenged on this decision, as it is a well informed one.
? I wish to deliver the placenta in my own time, without the assistance of drugs.
? If an episiotomy/tear is inevitable, I would prefer a midwife (female) to attend to the sutchering under local anesthetic (the sutchering after my first birth was performed by a young male doctor who was incredibly rough and heavy handed with me ? definitely my most traumatic and painful birth encounter, and I believe partially to blame for the haematoma developing.)
? I do not wish for my baby or myself to be administered antibiotics post labour (or during labour for that matter!) due the the effect this has on the beneficial bacteria in the breastmilk.
? I wish to initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible after the birth.
? I wish for my baby to be on the breast when his or her ?heel *****? blood sample is taken.
? I wish to be informed as to which blood group my baby belongs to (my firstborn?s blood group was not recorded on his hospital documents).
? I do not wish to receive visitors, until both mother & baby have had the oppurtunity to sleep and recuperate.
Bookmarks