Having just completed Rhea Dempsey's birth classes, I've drafted my Birth Plan with her pointers. I'll be at the Mercy Birth Centre, so there is already a presumption of low intervention (meaning, I don't need to cover it too heavily in my Preferences).

Here tis:

Birth Preferences for XXX

Support:
DH (husband)
C (Doula)

We are expecting our first baby, a boy!
DH and I hope for natural, gentle physiological birth and have prepared ourselves for this process. We respect the experience and knowledge of the Midwives and our Doula, who will assist us in our birthing experience.

These things are important to us during my labour and birth:

I do not want to be offered gas or pethidine (I know what is available, and will ask for it if I need it).

I will aim to use natural alternatives for pain management:
Water (bath preferred even if post rupture of membranes)
Massage and acupressure
Heat and cold
Self-hypnosis/visualisation
Breath and Vocalising
Positioning
Safe and quiet environment
Access to beanbags, cushions, mats, fit ball in my room so position change is enabled
Our TENS Machine.

We will not accept visitors during labour or birth.

I would like privacy with my partner when requested.

I do not wish to have any vaginal examinations unless there are medical reasons, which I would like explained to me.

I would prefer to tear naturally rather than have an episiotomy, but would welcome assistance in preventing tearing.

We request Doppler monitoring rather that CTG. If further monitoring is required we would prefer telemetry unit so as to remain active.

I would like an unhurried second stage, and to wait for the urge to push.

Depending on position and circumstance, DH may catch our baby and pass him to me.

We would prefer a natural physiological third stage, unless there is medical indication to deliver my placenta promptly.

We would like to cut the cord ourselves, once the placenta has been delivered, unless there is a medical reason to cut it sooner.

We request that vitamin K is administered orally and we do NOT want our baby to be administered the Hep B vaccination.

If a caesarean section is required, I do not want to be separated from our baby, and wish to have him in Recovery with me, until I am transferred to the postnatal ward.

If the baby needs to taken away for medical reasons, then DH will be with the baby at all times, and C will remain with me.

How'd I do? Can anyone see anything I've missed?