Writing my birth plan need some help!

Hey all,

I have a hospital appointment soon and they are harassing me for a birthplan of some kind that is pretty close to what I want so they can go through it with me. I filled out an online form at ivillage for one but i didn't understand some questions I was wondering if anyone can explain it to me?

Q1. Since mobility is important to me, I would like Intermittent Monitoring (ACOG Standards), using:
A fetoscope
Doppler machine
Electronic monitor

Q2. I feel comfortable with continuous fetal monitoring, using:
Internal electronic monitoring
External electronic monitoring

Q3. I would like access to the following pharmacological pain management:
Walking epidural
Classic epidural
IV: Stadol
IV: Nubain
IV: Demerol

Q4. Ideally, I would like to have access to the following birthing equipment if available:
Birthing bed
Birthing stool
Birthing chair - ? what’s the difference?
Beanbag chair
Squatting bar
Birthing pool/bath

Q5. I have the following coaching preference:
I do not want to be coached how and when to push. When I am fully dilated I trust my body’s instincts to push my baby out naturally
Lamaze-style coaching
Bradley-style coaching

Q6. If an assisted vaginal delivery is necessary I prefer the use of:
Forceps
Vacuum extraction

Q7. Please don’t give my baby:
Formula
Sugar Water
Pacifiers
Artificial nipple -what's good and bad about them??

Just wondering if anyone has any experiences with the different options above, what they were and what people would personally recommend. Also want to avoid anything that comes from morphine it causes me a lot of pain and my nans are allergic to it, does any of the IV treatments above derive from morphine? Of course this will all be discussed with the hospital staff on my next few visits I just don't want to go in completely clueless

Thanks anyone and everyone lol

There is an article on BB about birth plans and a downloadable complete plan which you can edit. The problem with US plans is the drug names are different and also click and tick ones aren't too flash as it doesn't leave room for your own notes. Check it out here: Birth Plans Is It Worth Writing A Birth Plan?

Thank you I had a read through it, I mostly have that all in my birth plan already (although not the same as there we want vaccinations etc and some other things). It's just those questions that stumped me and weren't sure whether they were important to be included and also what is the difference between the options listed. I just copied and pasted the end birth plan that came out into a word file and have been fiddling with it together with my partner and mum. It's come a long way since my first sentence of just Birth Plan = "pop out kidlet safely" lol jks

Hey CelticMoon

you can request intermittent monitoring...some health care providers may get their knickers in a knot, but remember your body, your baby, your labor...as long as you are staying safe then there is no reason intermittent monitoring cant be used

most hospitals have protocols for continuous monitoring...external: if you are induced, have an epidural, meconium liqor, any history of problems in the pregnancy or if at any stage the baby shows stress...of course all of this is still monitored well with a hand held doppler...internal: is for concerns about baby's well being and if they cant get a good read on the external monitor

there is another thread about walking epidural...somewhere :)

most labor wards have the equipment you mention

I would recommend that you write on your birth plan that you do not want to be coached with pushing, and to wait for uncontrollable urge...some well meaning health care providers just cant help themselves and instruct pushing before the urge is there

the use of instruments for delivery is really up to the person assisting with the birth your baby if the need arises...some circumstances call for the forceps over the vacuum...you just need to trust your doctor is making the best decision for you and your baby at the time

is the hospital you are birthing in baby friendly?...if so they are not 'allowed' to give your baby AF, bottle or dummy (some hospitals require the mother to sign a permission slip for AF to be given)....however if you are in any doubt make it know that you dont want this to occur

hope this helps

xx yogababy

Thanks heaps for that, I had a talk to the midwife they couldn't tell me what equipment they had and said i needed to go on a delivery suit tour and to ask them those questions. I talked to my doula about the options as well. I've decided I don't want the internal monitoring but am ok with formula if I can't breastfeed but would prefer to boob it. My family has a very poor history of being able to breastfeed though is it genetic? My mum could only breastfeed me for just 3 months then could only give me a feed in the morning and maybe one at night the rest of the time was formula, my nans couldn't breastfeed fullstop and my aunty only lasted 3 weeks with each of hers.

One thing that I found to be helpful is warm compresses. In between pushes they used warm washcloths and I felt such relief and with increases blood flow maybe helped me not to tear at all.:)

I saw something on infant led nursing a video about the first nursing after birth and it was amazing. Look into that. They said that it helped the baby and mom have fewer nursing problems and it shouldn't be that much of a pain for medical professionals.

I have in my plan that i want Ryan put straight on my tummy after birth and will try and boob him asap is that what that is about? They encourage it at Nepean and said its now standard unless you ask them to be taken away and cleaned first, otherwise they don't get bathed for a few days to let any remaining vernix sink in. Is that what that infant led nursing thing is?

not sure about breast feeding capapbilities being genetic..... I wouldnt think so.
I have HEAPS of milk. My mum only bf me for 2 months, I am almost at the 2 month mark and am def going to continue.

I had a birth plan for my experience, that we didnt even use lol. Wasnt because we didnt want to, but we just forgot as I was in labour for over 30 hours, and not really thinking clearly. hehe

I can't give you any advice on drugs as I only had gas.

Good luck!!! You sound very informed, and I'm sure you will have a great experience!

Thank you squishee, how did you find the gas? Was it really disorientating?

nah the gas helped mw with breathing more than anything else. they started it on a very low dose... adn grsdually injcreased it as time went on. It was a great help with my breathing. I could hear how fast I was breathing and with the aid of the middies, I was ablt to slow down to a normal pace.

It did make me feel a little wacko when I used it afterwards when I was having my local injections administered. I felt like I had tripped out, but it wore off not long after.
The onlt thing it did to me in labour was give me a really low, manly voice! lol

I was thinking about the "Breast crawl" There is a video and it is really cool how a baby moves to put themselves in position and they latch on by themselves.. I just googled it and watched it.

Sounds like somethin to google tomorrow when Dad2be isn't playin online games lol