the sunshine & rainbows plan

Well here it is.  The "If I could plan my labor and delivery and have everything go perfectly" birth plan.  In writing this 'plan', I've talked to some recent moms & even a friend who is a L&D nurse (who told me to not even write one).  Although I know I might throw some, most, or all of this plan out of the window once I'm in labor, I decided to write it anyway just to get myself thinking about all that could happen and what decision I think I'd like to make in the moment.  It's been very helpful in helping me visualize and prepare for the labor & delivery process.   So here it is:

Baby Boy's Birth Plan

First off, I would like to thank all of the medical personnel who will help us bring our baby into the world.  We would like little one’s birth to be as med-free and natural as possible.  Breastfeeding is also very important to us.  Having said this, we understand that we need to have an open mind and be ready for several different possibilities/outcomes.  Thank you in advance for your understanding and support. 

~~John & Colleen Tenbus

My doctor throughout this pregnancy has been Dr. Panda & our pediatrician is Dr. Weinstein

Here is what we would like to see happen for our labor & delivery:

PEOPLE

~John & I would like to stay together at all times.

~We would like to limit the amount of people in the delivery room to only necessary medical staff, John, & myself

MONITORING

            ~I prefer intermittent rather than continuous fetal monitoring, if possible

            ~I would rather have a Hep-Lock inserted than an IV to allow for walking/movement

ANESTHESIA/PAIN RELIEF

            ~Please do not offer pain medication.  I will ask for pain medication if/when I need it.

INDUCTION

~ Induction only considered if onset of labor is unusually delayed and if there is a medical emergency

~I would like the amniotic membrane broken before trying other methods to augment labor

~I would like to try different movements/positions before using Pitocin

LABOR

            ~I want to be free to move or walk around as much as possible

            ~I would like to be able to listen to music & use dimmed lighting

            ~I would like to drink clear fluids instead of being hydrated through an IV

            ~I want to wear contact lenses/glasses unless I am unconscious or having a C-section

TEARING & EPISIOTOMY

            ~I would like coaching on when and when not to push to help avoid tearing

            ~I would prefer an episiotomy if it becomes evident I will tear

DELIVERY

            ~I would like to be free to try several positions during pushing/delivery

            ~I would like to be coached on when and when not to push

            ~I would like to allow time for the umbilical cord to stop pulsating before it is cut

C-SECTION

            ~We would like to avoid a c-section, unless absolutely necessary

            ~We would like to be part of the decision process

            ~I would like John to be in the room if a c-section is necessary

            ~I’d like skin to skin contact with the baby as soon as possible after delivery

            ~I’d like to breastfeed him as soon as possible after delivery

SOON AFTER DELIVERY

            ~Immediate skin to skin contact with the baby on my chest

            ~Immediate breastfeeding to allow for natural placenta expulsion

            ~I would prefer to urinate on my own instead of using a catheter

            ~Allow at least 30 minutes for natural delivery of the placenta

CIRCUMCISION

            ~We would like to have our baby circumcised at the hospital.

POSTPARTUM

            ~I do not want to be separated from the baby during newborn procedures if possible

            ~I want John to be with him if I cannot be there

            ~We do not want the Hep B vaccine administered

BREASTFEEDING

            ~I plan to breastfeed exclusively

            ~I would like to begin breastfeeding as soon after birth as possible

            ~We prefer if our baby were not given a pacifier, formula, or sugar water, if he is fussy please bring him to me to nurse.

So....that's the plan.  We'll see how it all shakes out.