Birthing Plans!?! What am I missing?

So I hear a lot about everyone having a birthing plan!
Well I get the main Idea is what you want to happen medically and such but it would help to see what you all have come up with and what I may or may not be missing! As well as what to prepare for with a hospital bag and phone calls too family friends etc If you have room!  

If it helps in any way I am having a boy so beyond whether or not to circumcise I am not sure if there are any other points to cover!
thanks everyone! your thoughts and opinions help out not just me but other ladies out there who are reading! And remember everyone loves a good laugh once in awhile so feel free to add your lively stories on how it worked out in the end!

Had a plan and nothing went as planned lol.

Pain management


People you want with you, people you dont want with you


Dim lights


Certain music/sounds



Labor in the Shower or tub if possible


Labor with a birthing ball


Use a mirror when pushing


I do (not) want an episiotomy



Breastfeeding after? I don't want my newborn fed a bottle

This is my plan:


Our birth plan, as follows, has been prepared with the intention that our birth will be free of complications. However, we realize that occasionally situations arise that may require us to alter our plan. In the event of an emergency situation with either myself or my baby, I am happy to discuss, however briefly, any measures which may be deemed medically necessary prior to their implementation; and, in the event of a normal birth, as we suspect this will be, we prefer the following.
ü We will be using self-hypnosis (hypnobabies) to manage our birth and may not be immediately responsive to questions during contractions. Please wait until a contraction ends and my eyes open to converse, or speak directly with my birth partner, Shawn. Because of the high level of concentration, I request low lights and quiet voices.
ü Please do not offer me pain medication or ask me what my level of pain is. I know what my options are and will ask for medications if I feel I need them.
ü No IV. A Saline Lock is fine.
ü No augmentation. I realize this may result in a longer labour and I am prepared to accept and handle that outcome.
ü I do not want continuous monitoring and would prefer intermittent monitoring (once per hour)
ü I wish to limit vaginal exams to a minimum (once upon admittance and when I feel I need to push) and do not want to be informed of my progress in dilation.
ü I do not want an episiotomy and prefer to be allowed to tear, but I am willing to discuss its medical necessity if one should arise.
ü As discussed with our doctor, I am declining the use of post delivery oxytocin. We prefer to allow my uterus to contract naturally and in its own time in order to expel the placenta and would appreciate your patience in allowing for it to detach naturally.
ü Should the need for a caesarean delivery arise I would prefer a two layer suture as opposed to the single layer suture method.
ü Please do not clamp or cut the umbilical cord until it has stopped pulsing.
ü Please do not put any eye ointment in our baby’s eyes
ü As discussed with our doctor, we are declining the use of intramuscular Vitamin K for our baby but would like to be provided with the option of oral Vitamin K.


It should be short and to the point in bulleted fashion with the key words bolded in each point so that it can be quickly referrenced without much effort. Everything in my plan was followed to a tee with the exception of letting the cord stop pulsing but that was only because he didn't have any blood in his cord when he was born so there was nothing to let stop pulsing.

Quoting Avery’s momma:" Had a plan and nothing went as planned lol. "

LOL! I hear that quite often! Seems like children have that affect sometimes  

Quoting Bobo's mum:" Pain management People you want with you, people you dont want with you Dim lights Certain music/sounds ... [snip!] ... ball Use a mirror when pushing I do (not) want an episiotomy Breastfeeding after? I don't want my newborn fed a bottle"

Excellent I hadnt thought of those! Maybe I should let my son come out to a certain tune  

Quoting A, E & W's mommy:" This is my plan: Our birth plan, as follows, has been prepared with the intention that our birth will ... [snip!] ... but that was only because he didn't have any blood in his cord when he was born so there was nothing to let stop pulsing."

Very Good stuff in there! Thank you I had not heard of the cord part I will be giving that some thought. Never thought it would be so detailed lol, Can you go and talk to your dr about setting one of these up or should You just start your own list?

Quoting Erin Krumwiede:" Very Good stuff in there! Thank you I had not heard of the cord part I will be giving that some thought. ... [snip!] ... would be so detailed lol, Can you go and talk to your dr about setting one of these up or should You just start your own list?"

Do you mean talk to your doc about setting up a birth plan? They'll just tell you not to bother since things can be so unpredictable. The thing they don't account for is what if it could actually go exactly as you wanted, what if just by merely informing yourself as to your options you can know how you want to decide when/if emergencies arise. They don't usually do a birth plan with you anyway, they can't be bothered. I would either do it yourself or hire a doula for your birth who can do it for you.

This was mine. The stuff that really mattered was followed to a T. I caved on the Epi and they did have to break my water (it was that or pitocin) otherwise my hospital was great.

The idea of this birth plan is to outline our ideal situation during the labor and delivery of our daughter. Both my husband Will and I understand that circumstances arrise where plans may change. We ask that any changes be explained to us fully as well as the options we have. We have choosen to have a doula (Michelle Ogden-Stout) help support us during this labor and delivery.
Enviroment:

• I would like to limit the number of guests and phone calls while I am in labor by disconnecting my phone and having a sign posted on the door.

Labor:

• I would like to be out of bed as much as possible during labor (such as walking, rocking, showering)
• I prefer to have intermittent fetal monitoring
• If an IV is needed I would prefer to have a saline lock.
• I would prefer that the amniotic membranes rupture naturally
• I would like to meet the pediatric provider on duty if at all possible.
• I would like to limit the amount of cervical exams, especially after the amniotic membranes rupture.
• If any medical tests or interventions are needed I would like them explained by the doctor and then given a chance to make a choice with my husband and doula.

Pain Management:

• I plan on using alternative pain relief options (such as breathing exercises, massage, shower, position changes, ect)
• Should I feel I need pain medication I would like to dicuss other pain medication options before an epidural.
• If I feel I need an epidural I will ask for it, please do not offer it.

Delivery:

• I would like the option to be in a position other than laying on my back when I give birth.
• I would like to push when I feel the need to push instead of pushing and counting through all contractions.
• I would like to be told when the head is crowning and given the option to touch the head if I want to.
• I would like to hold my baby skin to skin immediately after delivery.
• I would like the cord to stop pulsing prior to it being cut/clamped.
• Once the cord has stopped pulsing my husband Will Gunty would like to cut the cord.

Postpartum:

• I would like to delay all newborn procedures for the first hour so I may have a chance to nurse and bond with my baby.
• We have decided that the Eye ointment will not be given to the baby.
• I want all procedures that are done and any medications given explained to both me and my husband before they are done.
• I would like my husband be able to give the baby her first bath.
• I would like to have the baby evaluated in my prescenece.
• If the baby must leave the room for medical treatment my husband Will Gunty will accompany her.
• I plan on exclusively breastfeeding my baby.
• I would like additional suport to help me learn to breastfeed effectively.
• I would like to be consulted should someone feel my baby needs to be given water, formula, sugar water, or a pacifier.
• I would like to be discharged from the hospital as soon as possible.

Quoting Erin Krumwiede:" LOL! I hear that quite often! Seems like children have that affect sometimes  "

That's basically what happened to us lol. Even took the time to make a bunch of food (sandwiches, snacks, etc for DH figuring he'd be there awhile) but my labor was really quick and never had a chance to listen to the CD's we brought or anything. But this time I put what was helpful last time. I'd like to try to go natural and I definitely think using a mirror was very helpful. I thought it was a horrible idea the first time and was thinkin they were crazy for asking my that haha but finally I said ok and pushed her out much easier when I could see what was working etc. It was VERY helpful! I also like it to stay quiet and calm. It was helpful for me to concentrate. Ummm...preferences in pain management, in case of emergency, choice to breast or bottle feed, if you'd like immediate skin to skin contact/bonding time, and any infant care wishes/preferences you can think of or have heard of.

Quoting A, E & W's mommy:" Do you mean talk to your doc about setting up a birth plan? They'll just tell you not to bother since ... [snip!] ... with you anyway, they can't be bothered. I would either do it yourself or hire a doula for your birth who can do it for you."

I will be talking to my hubby then about what we feel would work best and how we want things done, Lol I am sure both of us will be able to get our point across ;)

Quoting Jennybananna:" This was mine. The stuff that really mattered was followed to a T. I caved on the Epi and they did have ... [snip!] ... to be given water, formula, sugar water, or a pacifier.I would like to be discharged from the hospital as soon as possible."

Very Descriptive and helpful! Even if things dont always go as planned at least you looked into what was most important to you for your baby and your family and kept yourself well informed! Bravo  

Quoting Liz McArthur:" That's basically what happened to us lol. Even took the time to make a bunch of food (sandwiches, snacks, ... [snip!] ... like immediate skin to skin contact/bonding time, and any infant care wishes/preferences you can think of or have heard of."

Liz, I love the idea of snacks!!! Maybe just because I am hungry now but you also have very good ideas. And the more I hear about using a mirror the more I am warming up to the idea Thank you for your positive input!  

Quoting Erin Krumwiede:" Very Descriptive and helpful! Even if things dont always go as planned at least you looked into what was most important to you for your baby and your family and kept yourself well informed! Bravo  "

Thanks. My first birth was just horrible. I didn't know what my rights were I didn't know I had any honestly. I had no idea what was happening half the time and nothing was ever discussed I was just hooked up to meds. Never once physically saw a doctor until I was crowning. (it was a 16 hour labor with 2 hours of pushing) So I knew I wanted more control and information. I knew things could change in a second I tried to be reasonable and work with my team. I think thats the most important part is to know things can change but to have a team that will include you. I felt having a birth plan also let my hospital team know I was informed and I didnt have to try and remember things during labor.

Quoting Jennybananna:" Thanks. My first birth was just horrible. I didn't know what my rights were I didn't know I had any honestly. ... [snip!] ... having a birth plan also let my hospital team know I was informed and I didnt have to try and remember things during labor. "

Agreed communication and being included with your team is very important And you as the mother should definatley be given a heads up and asked what you want them to do!
I am glad that I have heard so many replies now so I know I have the options and rights to say what I feel comfortable with for my child and myself.
I definatley want to be included in as much as possible and know that if I can not make a decision that my husband can help along the way, And being prepared with a plan sounds like the best ways of keeping things simple and being able to make the best decisions when things come up! And having everyone "On The Same Page" LOL!