Birth Plan

This is a copy of the birth plan that we have provided to the hospital's maternal unit. We will bring extra copies with us. The maternal care coordinator said there were two things that might be a problem: not getting the heparin lock (the inlet for an IV that they can place in your hand and it just stays there), and being allowed to eat or drink anything.

Susan and Tim – Birth Plan

We have written this birth plan with our ideal birthing situation in mind, knowing well that flexibility is an important factor in emergency situations. We are willing and eager to listen to opinions and discuss alternative options for the birth of a healthy baby should the need arise.

Our hope is to have a natural childbirth free of medications and interventions. Susan is planning to use the hypnobirthing method of relaxation during the birthing. She plans to spend the very early stages of labor at home with her family and her doula, Lynn Johnson. She then plans to be at St. Luke’s for the active stages and the birthing, accompanied by her husband, Tim, her doula, and her mother-in-law, Mary Anne Daily.

First Stage Labor
• Please do not offer me pain medications; I will ask for them if I want them.
• Intermittent monitoring via Doppler or external fetal monitoring is preferred.
• Please do not restrict my movement. I prefer to maintain mobility.
• Please do not administer an IV or heparin lock unless there is a clear medical indication that such is necessary.
• Please allow me to eat and drink to comfort if allowed.

Augmentation
• Please do not administer pitocin.
• Please do not artificially rupture membranes.
• Please allow first stage of prolonged length.
• I would prefer to walk to speed labor, and use other natural methods.

Second Stage (Pushing/Birth)
• Please do not perform an episiotomy; use compresses & positioning. I prefer to tear.
• Please delay cord clamping & cutting.
• We would prefer for Tim to cut the cord.
• We would like to bank the cord blood privately and will have the kit available.
• Please encourage me to begin pushing only when my body tells me to.
• Please do not restrict my choice of birthing position.
• Please provide squat bar for birthing bed and birthing ball for laboring.
• Please allow second stage of prolonged length.
• Please allow for Susan to eat immediately after birth if desired.

Baby Care:
• If baby is not in distress, please allow for immediate skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding for 5 to 10 minutes; conduct newborn assessment on Susan’s chest if necessary.
• IV to be administered in baby on a warming bed rolled next to Susan.
• Please do not provide formula or glucose water; I would like to exclusively breastfeed. If tube, bottle or dropper-feeding required, please use Susan’s breastmilk.
• When baby is transported to another facility, please discharge Susan as soon as possible.


Unexpected Events

Cesarean Birth
• Spinal/epidural anesthesia
• Tim present
• Please allow Tim to hold baby as soon as possible

Stillbirth/Newborn Death
• Please allow Susan & Tim to see and hold baby as often and for as long as desired.
• We wish to obtain mementos such as photographs, locks of hair, footprints.
• Please allow Susan to recover in a room separate from postpartum unit and provide early discharge.
• Please offer spiritual and grief counseling.
• Please provide information regarding any support group.