A birth plan is a useful tool to let the hospital staff know exactly what you would and would not like done during the birth of your baby. Here are some ideas to help you put one together.
Environment
Home
Private birthing room
Dim lights
Soft music
Peace and quiet
Wear my own clothes
Hospital gown
Videotape labor and birth
Take pictures during labor and birth
Private phone
Other amenities: VCR, stereo, flowers
Support People Present at Birth
Partner
Relatives
Friends
Siblings
Labor assistant/Doula
No excess hospital staff
Support people present at mother's discretion and according to hospital protocol
Preparation Procedures and Labor
Free to walk and move around
Eat and drink during labor
Clear fluids and ice chips available at all times
Prefer to avoid an enema or shaving
No IV unless necessary
If so, then heparin or saline lock IV
No unnecessary examinations and very minimal vaginal examinations
Massage
Hot/cold packs
Hypnosis
Relaxation
Shower or bath tub
Breathing techniques
Movement (walking, swaying, rocking)
Acupressure
Acupuncture
Meditation
Epidural or spinal anesthesia
Narcotics
Sedatives and tranquilizers
None at all
Induction
Medically Induced
Pitocin
Prostaglandin gel
Amiotomy
Stripping of membranes
Cytotec
Cervadil
Self Induced
Acupuncture
Walk
Castor oil
Nipple stimulation/thumb sucking
Sexual intercourse (if bag of waters aren't broken)
Herbs
Episiotomy
Yes
No
Delivery Positions for Labor
Semi-sitting with footrests or stirrups
Side-lying
Lying prone
Squatting
Hands and knees, pelvic rock
Standing upright
Walk
Lunge
Birthing Equipment
Birthing bed
Birthing stool
Birthing chair
Birthing pool/tub
Beanbag chair
Squatting bar
Other
I would like a mirror available so I can see the baby's head crown
I would like to touch my baby's head as it crowns
I would like to have the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after birth
Room as quiet as possible
Pushing
Spontaneous
Directed
Extraction Devices
None unless baby's health at risk
Vacuum extraction
Forceps
Cesarean
Partner present at all times during the operation
I'd like to be conscious
Screen lowered so I can see the baby coming out
One hand free to touch the baby
Immediate contact with the baby
Placenta
Cord Blood collection
Injection of Pitocin to aid with delivery
Spontaneous
Encourage with breast stimulation, baby suckling
Manual extraction
I'd like to see it
Use of placental tissue by the hospital
Cord-cutting
Partner cuts cord
I would like to cut the cord
Neither
Other family member
Newborn Procedures
Done in my presence
Done in my partner's presence
Expanded Newborn Screening (arranged prior to delivery)
Feeding baby
Breast
Bottle
Both
Separation
No separation
Partial rooming
Nursery
Circumcision
Yes
No
Hospital Stay:
Short as possible
Long as possible
Comment on this page...
Anonymous on 11/12/2009 12:46:00 PM
I am a nurse in the Neonatal intensive care unit. I am also expecting my second child. It is great to have a birth plan because a lot of people don't know what their choices are being a first time mom. However, in response to no vaccines or eye ointment please talk to your doctor about your decisions. You may be surfing the wrong websites on the internet and be misinformed about why it's so important. The most important thing is to take care of yourself the best you can prior to delivery to ensure a safe delivery. Educate yourself even when you think you know everything. The unexpected will more than likely happen.
Joyce on 11/2/2009 11:49:29 AM
Well, this a great list to look over as you write your birth plan. I'm on my second pregnancy right now and i wrote a birth plan for my first child. Little did I know the plan would be completely ignored by my doctors and nurses. It seemed like from the moment i checked into the hospital, the whole labor was already planned out for me. Pitocin this, epidural that...and i didn't even want any drugs to begin with! The doctors kept telling me these things were necessary and of course, being a new mother and wanting a healthy child, i wasn't going to turn down any of their suggestions. Doctor knows best, right? The baby got so stressed out I ended up needing an emergency c-section from all the intervention It was a horrible experience,b hopefully this time will be better. I'll be delivering at a new hospital in a different state. it's a vbac this time and the birth plan is already ready! Wish me luck!
Anonymous on 10/23/2009 4:08:01 AM
this is really great although in my country you are not giving much of an option, but it is really good to know that you have options.
Anonymous on 10/22/2009 11:25:53 AM
Thank you for putting circumcision on your list.I have known several people that have had health problems because they were not,& had to have the procedure later in life.They prefered to not have to deal with the trouble & to have already have had it done.Thank you again.
Gillian on 10/11/2009 11:05:44 PM
I have learned from my previous experience that when the babay comes the birth plan goes right out the door, but it does help to give you some sort of comfort
Nakisha on 10/11/2009 2:55:11 PM
Thanks a lot even though we plan this out I still believe the babies and mother nature are really in control but this helps me with some anxiety!!
Anonymous on 10/9/2009 11:55:51 AM
I really like this page because its preparng me for the day i give birth
anonymous on 10/8/2009 11:33:32 AM
Thank you. This has helped me alot. Me and my partner are very young and this is our first child and we really dont know what to expect or do, and this has helped me alot.
Anonymous on 10/7/2009 12:22:20 PM
Wow! This is a lot to consider. Thank you for giving us something to help us know what to ask about if we are not sure, prior to the chaos of delivery.
Anonymous on 10/7/2009 10:10:01 AM
I agree no ointment no vitamin K shot or vaccines. And Circumcision is a unnecessary evil-don't even offer it!
Susan White on 9/18/2009 12:04:53 AM
I Would like to see my baby getting his or her bath and other procedures done in my room. I would like to keep the baby in my room at all times. My partner and I would like to keep the baby in our room.
anonymos on 9/13/2009 10:45:42 PM
thank u it gave me an over all view of things to think about before i have my baby girl. theres alot of things on here that i didnt know about.
Gisel Duval on 9/5/2009 8:15:12 AM
Be patient first time mom
stormiearthur on 9/3/2009 1:19:30 PM
it had more choices that i didnt know about. thanks
Anonymous on 8/26/2009 8:28:36 PM
NO eye drops, or shots of any kind no matter what!
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