Creating A Birth Plan...

[Beth]

A birth plan is a great way to communicate to your care provider the desires and needs you have surrounding your upcoming birth. It is also an excellent way to encourage discussion between yourself, your birth partner, your family and anyone else who will be involved in your special day.

If you are having a homebirth, make sure that you also create a birth plan outlining what considerations you would like made in the case of a transfer of care to a hospital setting.


Things To Include In Your Birth Plan:

Who You Are And Who’s In Your Birth Party…

* your name and your birth partner’s name
* your address and telephone number
* your due date
* your care provider’s contact information
* your doula’s contact information
* anticipated place of birth

Your Birth Philosophy…

* are you aiming for a natural birth with minimal interventions or are you relying upon hospital staff to suggest medications and utilize the tools at their disposal?

* This is also a good place to note that you understand that a birth plan is not a guarantee and that things may arise that are unplanned. Part of preparing for childbirth is making plans for the unexpected. Sometimes complications arise during births that were previously unanticipated. Your care providers need to know that you have thought about that and understand that situations may arise that force them to deviate from your birth plan. You may consider using some form of the following paragraph: “This birth plan is intended to express the preference and desires we have for the birth of our baby. It is not intended to be a script. We fully realize that situations may arise such that our plan cannot and should not be followed. However, we hope that barring any extenuating circumstances, you will be able to keep us informed and aware of our options. Thank you.”

First Stage of Labour…

Your Environment

Would you like…?

* Dim lighting
* Peace and quiet
* Music
* Candles
* Other

Mobility

Would you like…?

* To maintain full mobility (i.e. walking, rocking, squatting, going to bathroom, etc.)
* Partial mobility (moving around in bed only)
* Bed rest (used with epidural, use of catheter, etc.)

Hydration

Would you like…?

* No restrictions (freedom to eat or drink whatever you like, whenever you like)
* Clear fluid (water, juice, ginger ale, Jell-O, Gatorade, Labour Aid)
* Ice chips only
* Heparin/Saline lock (a catheter inserted into your arm to allow for the rapid administration of fluids or medications in case of an emergency. Essentially, it is step one of the i.v. process
* I.V. (you will have this if you are receiving any medications)

Monitoring

Would you like…?

* Intermittent monitoring (from time to time) or continuous monitoring (all the time)
* Use of fetoscope (special stethoscope for pregnant moms), Doppler and external fetal monitor (for intermittent monitoring)
* Use of external fetal monitor and internal fetal monitor (for continuous monitoring)

Offers of Pain Relief

Would you like…?

* Only if I ask (recommended if you wish to have a natural birth)
* Offer if uncomfortable
* Offer as soon as possible

Pain Relief Options:

Would you like…?

* Natural or Medicinal?
* An epidural or a narcotic (i.e. morphine or Nubaine)?
* Relaxation, freedom to change positions, hydrotherapy (use of water), alternating use of heat packs and ice packs, massage, acupressure, reflexology, etc.

Augmentation

Would you like…?

* Natural or chemical
* Walking, nipple stimulation, etc.
* Use of herbs (i.e. black and blue cohosh)
* Amniotomy (also known as AROM – artificial rupture of membranes; breaking the bag of waters)
* Other…

Second Stage of Labour…

Pushing

Would you like…?

* To choose your position or to be directed
* Prolonged length (before use of forceps or other external measures)
* Spontaneous bearing down
* Directed pushing
* Stirrups for leg support
* Foot pedals
* Squat bar

Perineal Care

Would you like…?

* To avoid an episiotomy unless you are going to tear
* To avoid an episiotomy even if you are going to tear
* To have an episiotomy
* Use massage, heat, compresses and changes in positioning instead of surgical alternatives

Watching The Birth

Would you like…?

* A mirror so that you can watch your baby emerge as you push
* To touch your baby’s head as it is crowning
* To avoid watching your baby emerge
* To not touch your baby’s head as it is crowning

After The Baby Is Born…

Cutting The Cord

Would you like…?

* The cord to be cut immediately
* The cutting to be delayed until the cord has stopped pulsing
* To have your partner cut the cord
* To cut the cord yourself

The Placenta

Would you like…?

* To view the placenta
* To keep the placenta
* Avoid seeing the placenta
* The placenta to be discarded

Medical Procedures

Would you like…?

* Medical procedures to be performed immediately
* To delay medical procedures (if possible)

Feeding Baby

Would you like…?

* To breastfeed only
* To bottle feed only
* To both bottle and breast feed
* To limit exposure to pacifiers and glucose water

Circumcision

Would you like…?

* No circumcision (state this even if you plan on having your baby circumcised out of the hospital)
* No foreskin retraction
* To be present at the circumcision
* Anesthesia used (depends on the health care practitioner)

Complications and Cesareans…

Cesarean Section

Would you like…?

* To have your doula present
* To have your partner present
* Pictures taken
* The screen lowered to view birth
* Description of the surgery
* To touch the baby
* To cut the cord
* To have your partner cut the cord
* To breastfeed in the recovery room
* Other?

Sick Baby

Would you like…?

* To breastfeed as soon as possible
* Unlimited visitation for parents
* To hold and handle baby whenever possible
* To be moved with baby to another facility if necessary
* Other?


© Beth Murch, 2008. Reproduction of this material is forbidden without the express written permission of the author.