Day 261 - The Plan

Well, below you will find the birth plan that we showed to D____. I'm sure it won't be what everyone would want, but it's what works for us.

Pain relief

• TENS.
• Gas and air if necessary.

Labour

• F_____ to be with me throughout labour and delivery.
• I wish to be able to walk and move around and change position at will throughout labour and use the birth ball and stool.
• I would like to play music during labour.
• Internal exams to be kept to a minimum.
• I do not wish to have my waters artificially broken unless it is required for the safety of the baby.

Delivery

• I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth, using my ball as appropriate.
• Even if I am fully dilated, and assuming the baby is not in distress, I would like to try to wait until I feel the urge to push before beginning the pushing phase.
• I would like to avoid perineal damage and would appreciate guidance in giving birth gently to accomplish this. However, I would rather tear naturally than have an episiotomy.

Third stage

• Cord to be clamped and cut once it has stopped pulsating.
• F_____ to cut cord if he wants.
• Physiological third stage initially with the option for injection if delivery of placenta takes a long time.

Post Delivery

• I would like the baby to be cleaned before being passed to me.
• Injection of Vitamin K for baby.
• I plan to try to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth.

Intervention

• Induction - I am willing to undergo a membrane sweep in the event of going overdue by a week. Beyond a week overdue I am willing to be monitored daily but do not wish to be automatically be booked for induction unless there is a medical need for the safety of the baby/me. If monitoring shows the baby to be in good health I wish to be left to try and labour naturally until day 16.
• Transfer to hospital only if absolutely necessary for safety of baby/me.
• I will undergo a Caesarean section only if absolutely necessary for safety of baby/me.
• Assisted delivery techniques such as forceps or ventouse, and episotomy only if absolutely necessary for safety of baby.
• I would like a local anesthetic to repair a tear or an episiotomy.
• In case of transfer to hospital I do not want student doctors present during my treatment, although I will consent to a student midwife to be present.