Hi! My OB wants to go over my birth plan for my hopefully natural birth. I'm having a hard time finishing it because there is just sooo much to include and I've heard it's best to keep it short and sweet while including the most important items. If you were pregnant, what would your birth plan be? I realize a birth plan can be very personal, but I thought it might give me a good idea as to what to add.
Ooooh that’s such a good question. Let me first reiterate that with any birth plan, I put my value on a safe and calm birth. I know that with any birth there are millions of different ways it could turn out, so by writing down my ideal I hope to guide the birth in that direction, but I will always stay open and flexible to things changing. I’ve put a homebirth and a hospital plan below - they’re mostly the same, but some small changes.
It’s important to remember about birth plans that it is okay if the nurse is too busy to read the plan, your doula/partner should know it cold and be able to advocate for you as necessary.
Also remember that in hospitals there are a lot of policies that are presented as fact, even if you have the right to do otherwise. For example, if you ask for food during labor the nurse might say, “Oh, you can only have ice chips now.” You could respond by arguing about the evidence that’s based on, or you could just have some snacks packed.
You can decline medications and surgeries, but know that if you trust your provider, it’s likely that they’re necessary or at least very important.
My Homebirth Plan:
During labor:
I would like to be outside as much as weather and light permit
I would like my partner, my doula, and my mom in attendance
I would like to eat and drink as I desire
No IV unless necessary for GBS prophylaxis
No vaginal exams unless necessary
I would like access to a tub or shower
During birth:
I would like to push in the tub if safe
If outside of the tub, I would like to push in whatever position feels good to me - not just lying on my back
I would like only quiet encouragement as I push - no counting, chanting, shouting, etc. No guided pushing.
I would like to put my hand on the baby’s head as it crowns and to have my midwife put pressure over my hand to help avoid tears.
I would like my partner to help bring the baby up to my chest.
During postpartum:
I would like to have skin-to-skin with my baby as long as possible.
I would like delayed cord clamping.
I would like any necessary resuscitation to occur on my belly or on the bed next to me.
No Hep B vaccine, no erythromycin ointment. I do accept the Vitamin K injection.
I would like to be the person to identify the baby’s sex.
If for some reason I cannot hold the baby I would like my partner to do skin-to-skin with the baby.
My Hospital Birth Plan:
During labor:
I would like calm music of my choice and dim lights.
I would like my partner, my doula, and my mom in attendance
I would like to eat and drink as I desire
No IV unless necessary for GBS prophylaxis
Vaginal exams only as necessary to make a management plan.
I would like access to a tub or shower
I would like the hallway door closed.
I would like to wear my own clothing.
I would like to be the only person who mentions pain medication. If I don’t say it, you don’t.
During birth:
I would like to push in the tub if safe
If outside of the tub, I would like to push in whatever position feels good to me - not just lying on my back
I would like only quiet encouragement as I push - no counting, chanting, shouting, etc. No guided pushing.
I would like to put my hand on the baby’s head as it crowns and to have my midwife put pressure over my hand to help avoid tears.
I would like my partner to help bring the baby up to my chest.
During postpartum:
I would like to have skin-to-skin with my baby as long as possible.
I would like delayed cord clamping.
I would like any necessary resuscitation to occur on my belly or on the bed next to me.
No Hep B vaccine, no erythromycin ointment. I do accept the Vitamin K injection.
I would like to be the person to identify the baby’s sex.
If for some reason I cannot hold the baby I would like my partner to do skin-to-skin with the baby.
I’m reblogging this so I can find it later for reference and to look up what some of these things are.
Amen to ^^- I’m familiar with birth plans but this is my favorite that I’ve come across so far….
I like this!
