pregnancy calendar

Friday, October 16, 2009

Birth Plan

Birth Plan for:
Me!
estimated due date October 31, 2009

Primary support person: husband
Doula: (yes, we know her name, not posting it for privacy!)
Others in attendance: If the birth occurs during the daylight hours, our 22 month old daughter will be present for as much of the labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum as mutually desired. A close friend of ours will be responsible for her care while at the hospital.

Our ultimate goal is to have a healthy baby and healthy mother.

I do not intend to have an epidural, or any other pain medications.

I plan to use non-medicinal comfort measures such as the shower, changing position, massage, heat/cold, or other relaxation techniques as suggested by either my doula or the nurse staff at the hospital.

As long as I and the baby are not at risk, I request that the labor and delivery process be allowed to progress naturally as my body dictates.

I will drink fluids and eat easily digested foods as desired.

Rather than beginning IV fluids upon arrival, I will have a saline lock.

I prefer not to have artificial rupture of membranes unless there is a clear medical reason to do so.

It is important that during the pushing phase that I follow my body’s cues to push - please avoid coaching me through pushing.

I plan on breastfeeding my newborn, and am very much looking forward to holding him skin-to-skin as soon as possible after birth, please do as much of the routine newborn care while I am holding him, so he can be warmed by his mother.

We hope to be discharged from the hospital as soon as possible after the baby’s birth, preferably within 4-6 hours, as long as both mother and baby are healthy. However, if baby is born in the late afternoon or evening we will wait until the next morning to go home.