Share your birth intentions (birth plan)

[julie_ann_jules]

I Here is the birthplan I used. :O)

Birth Preferences
Name:
Baby due:

As this is a planned VBAC birth, we are looking forward to an active, positive and natural birth.
Our desire is to give birth vaginally, with as little medical intervention as possible. We want to participate in this birth to the fullest, with the wonderful support and encouragement of our birthing team.

This is assuming my birth goes normally - if it does not, we are flexible about deviating from the plan if it is medically necessary, but we wish to be informed of the risks, benefits and necessity of intervention and to participate in these decisions.

We have listed our preferences below, these decisions have been made after much research, consultation and thought. Therefore, your help in attaining these goals is very much appreciated.

Care During the First Stage:

I would like to have an active labour/positions. So could you please encourage:
- as mobile as possible.
- use of different positions.
- use of beanbags, cushions, etc.
- frequent drinks and snacks.

- CTG- We understand the benefits of having continuious CTG monitoing. Ideally we would have access to a Telemetry unit. If it becomes difficult to get a good trace (due to my position or movements) then, intermittent EFM along with fetoscope evaluations would be preferred. I must still be able to assume mobile positions even if being monitored, and the EFM volume should be turned down, or even off if possible.

- Please do not set time limits. We do not want to be hurried with time constraints, as long as the baby and mother are tolerating labour please assess their progress rather than looking at the clock.

Pain Relief:
- Drugs not be offered or administered unless they are requested by Julie-Ann. This will only be if, at the time, Julie-Ann feels strongly that she cannot manage without, and all other options have been tried.

- We would like to use the water bath, showers, breathing, relaxation, massage, mobility, heat and cold, plus any other suggestions.

- If we decide to use drugs, we would prefer gas initially, and other drugs only after discussion.

We want to avoid:
- Induction, or acceleration, of labour with Oxytocin. Though I would prefer even this than contemplating another caesarean.

- Artificial rupture of membranes, unless Julie-Ann and partner can both be convinced that it will be helpful in their particular labour. Such as if there was a reason to be concerned about the condition of the baby, but definitely not to put an electrode scalp monitor on the baby.

- Frequent vaginal examinations - as few and as gently as possible.

- Internal electronic monitoring, as infection could be passed to the baby via the puncture site of an electrode clip on the scalp.

Care During Second Stage:
- Unhurried second stage, so long as baby and Julie-Ann okay, that is waiting to push until Julie-Ann feels ready.

- Choice of positions for birthing.

- No episiotomy, please give the perineum every chance to stretch. To an extent Julie-Ann would rather tear naturally than be cut.

- If assistance in delivery is necessary, please use forceps rather than suction.

At the Birth:
- A quiet and intimate environment. Dimmed lights with no unnecessary noises.

- Baby to be put immediately on to Julie-Ann 's abdomen and put to the breast, as long as medically stable.

- Cord left intact until pulsing has ceased.

- Baby to be caught by Lee and Cord to be cut by Lee.

- I would like to deliver the placenta naturally. No pulling on the cord, or drugs to quicken the process. I realise these drugs and procedures can be lifesaving if there is heavy bleeding, but if everything is going well I'd rather have a natural third stage.

- Baby to remain with us in first few hours after birth- waiting until later for weighing, tests or washing, etc.


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In case of Caesarean

As we mentioned before, we realise there may be problems (some we may not have taken into consideration here) and we are willing to co-operate, all that we ask is that our informed consent be sought before any procedure or medication is used.

We also realise there is a chance that Julie-Ann may require a caesarean, and all the points mentioned above then become mostly invalid. If Julie-Ann does need a caesarean the important points are mentioned below.

In case of caesarean:

-Lee and our independant midwife to be present.

-Julie-Ann to remain conscious during the operation if possible.

- If caesarean under general anaesthetic, then baby to be given to Lee straight after birth and held by him until Julie-Ann is awake and can be told of the baby's sex and well-being by Lee.

- Lower the screen so Lee and Julie-Ann can view the birth. Julie-Ann has had two previous caesareans and it is still a bit unreal, as she has never actually seen a baby leave her body - they tend to just appear from behind the green screen and be held up for a quick look before they disappear to be wrapped up and tested.

- A verbal description of the birth as it occurs. Julie-Ann especially has felt left out of her previous caesarean as her body and labour have been discussed as though she wasn't there.

-The cord to be left longer so Lee can still experience cutting the baby?s cord.

- Baby to be placed immediately on Julie-Ann?s chest in its naked newborn state with a warm blanket over them both. It would do a lot to make this surgical delivery a bit more natural for mother, father and baby. And it may even resolve a few inner conflicts that are faced after the birth.

- We would like to view the placenta.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read our Birth Preferences, and I hope we can discuss any problems you see with it.
We thank you in advance for your support and kind attention to our choices, as we look forward to a wonderful birth. Your support and co-operation is really appreciated.
Sincerely,