The Birth Plan...

Some of you have been curious about what I have in my birth plan so I thought I would just go ahead and post it.  A lot of the requests that I make in my birth plan are standard procedure in some areas of the country but not where I live so I have to include them :).  If you are currently pregnant and thinking that you don't need a birth plan, you might want to reconsider.  Making a birth plan gives you the opportunity to research what you and your hubby want for your birth, and it is a great way to talk to your ob about your birth preferences at your prenatals.  You can learn A LOT about an ob by how they react to your birth plan.  If they immediately start acting defensive, using scare tactics (like talking about dead babies) and telling you what they are not going to do before you even get to talk about your birth preferences, then you might want to look into finding another OB.  As a doula, I hear a lot of negative reactions to birth plans by OBs that really surprise me.  They usually say something like "I don't want you to make a birth plan because I don't want you to be disappointed if it doesn't work out that way" or "Birth is so unpredictable.. there is no need to make a plan because it won't turn out the way you planned."  While it is absolutely true that birth is unpredictable, there is nothing wrong with having a plan and making educated choices.  I could go on and on about this but since this isn't a doula blog...I will just get off my soap box and post my birth plan.  Feel free to ask me any questions about it!  And feel free to copy it :)!

Birth Plan

Mother:  Courtney ******
Father:  Shaun ******Doula:  Maddy ****

All of the below preferences are given with the understanding that medical emergencies can occur.  We will of course be completely flexible in the event of an emergency.

First Stage of Labor:
-No IV just Heplock
-Intermittent monitoring for more range of movement and the use of the shower/tub
-Dimmed lighting
-Limited vaginal checks
-NO pitocin or artificial rupture of membranes
-No pain medication unless requested…please don’t offer medication

Second Stage of Labor:
-Would like to “labor down” until the urge to push is felt
-Spontaneous pushing
-Push and deliver in side lying/squatting/hands and knees positions
-No episiotomy

After Birth:
-Delayed cord clamping…please wait until the cord is no longer pulsating
-No afterbirth shot of pitocin…would prefer immediate breastfeeding and to only use if needed
-Natural delivery of the placenta
-Extended skin to skin contact with mother
-Suctioning/warming/cleaning baby/apgar scores etc while held by mother (skin to skin with warm blanket)
-No eye treatment
-Breastfeeding immediately after delivery
-In-room transition

 Nursery:
-Breastmilk only
-No vaccinations
-Pacifier is fine
-No formula or sugar water