Birthplans

Hi,

I posted this message in the Pregnancy section of the forum, but I wanted to also get any advice from new parents who may no longer view the pregnancy section.

Did any of you have a birthplan? I am in the process of writing mine and I was just curious what some of your wishes might have been and anything you might have done different.

I have also heard some people mention having or not having the doctors place eye drops in the baby's eyes. Is there a reason you would not want to do this?

Thanks!!!

Momma Green

Well I never had a birth plan and everything went fine..actually it went great I couldn't of asked for a better labor..the nurses, doctors, and everything all combined went wonderful! I wasn't opposed to anything such as an epidural or whatever so pretty much whatever the docs reccomended I did because I figured they knew best, and in my case they did. But some woman have strict rules on what they want done and thats fine too...just remeber in case of an emergency the plan might not go as follows so don't get hung up on that..and about the baby getting drops in the eyes...I'm not sure about that but I would think docs do it for a reason so I don't think it is bad...but I dunno lol..

I had a birth plan but ended up with a semi-emergency c-section. BUT the things that we thought were important were more for after she was born. I breastfeed and did right from the very beginning so we had it written down that no one was to give her a bottle or use a nipple for anything. For instance if they feel they need to give her a little sugar water or something they were to use a syring. As to the eye drops we didn't get them done. My birth class instructor told us about those. Those are used as a precaution for gonarhea...so if you have it it won't get into their eyes or something...But since they test you, if you tested negative and you know yours and your partners sexual history and never had it then you really don't need that. John and I were each others first and onlys so we felt secure in not having that done. But if you choose to you have ask for a waiver when you first get in because there probably won't be muh time to sign it once your baby is born...it'll be a little busy. hehe

I had a birth plan, but I forgot to use it! I should have because my little girl had to be taken to the nursery right after birth, and they tried to feed her a bottle instead of coming to ask me if I wanted to breastfeed.... which of course I did!!! So, I would definately have in there whether you want to breastfeed or not. I also had that I was not opposed to having an epidural. If I had a c-section I would want my husband to hold the baby first, cut the cord, etc. etc. There are websites that you can find that have a general outline of birthing plans, I would recommend doing that.

I never had a birth plan, but I knew what I did and didn't want for big things. Like I knew I wanted my epidural and I knew I only wanted my husband in the room.

I didnt have a birthplan, but I had a good idea of what I wanted. For example, I wanted a natural birth, and wanted to avoid an episiotomy if at all possible and I didnt at all want them to give my baby a bottle. I pretty much had it just like that, only thing differentwas that I asked to get a little painkiller in my IV.

I didn't have a birth plan but the nurses/doctors asked me what all I wanted. They checked me and said I could have an epidural whenever I wanted which was right away. They also asked if I planned to breastfeed or bottle so they would know. They put antibiotic drops in the eyes to prevent infection and I think for lubrication- their eyes don't really produce tears yet.

I had a plan...it went nothing the way I hoped for..but again..its hard to plan for that sort of thing, You kinda gotta just go with the flow.  

I had a birthplan....I'll see if I can find it and post it for you. I handed it to my nurses as soon as I got into my L&D room. I also gave one to everybody that was going to be in the room with me.

Here it is...


Mother-to-be: Leslie
Due Date: 03/28/2007
Practitioner: Dr. Leslie Hardick Place of Birth: Harris Methodist Downtown


This birth plan is intended to express the preference and desires I have for the birth of my baby. It is not intended to be a script. I fully realize that situations may arise such that my plan cannot and should not be followed. However, I hope that barring any extenuating circumstances, you will be able to keep me informed and aware of my options. Thank you.

First Stage (Labor):
•Dim lights.
•Music of our choice.
•Mobility not important (catheter)
•Clear fluids.
•Ice chips.
•IV fluids.
•Continuous Monitoring with external monitor.
•Please offer me pain medication, as soon as possible.
•Relaxation techniques (breathing, focusing, etc.).
•Water (Shower or Tub).
•Heat or Cold packs.
•Massage (back, foot, counter pressure, etc.).
•IV med: Demerol.
•Regular Epidural

Induction:
•I would prefer to use Pitocin to start labor.

Augmentation:
•I would prefer to use amniotomy to speed labor.

Second Stage (Birth):
•Choice of position
•Prolonged length, if progress is being made
•Directed Bearing Down
•Prefer to use people for leg support
•I would prefer to tear than have an episiotomy, but please use compresses, massage and positioning.
•Local Anesthesia (for repair)

Baby Care:
•Cut cord immediately
•Delay the eye medication
•Breast feeding only
•No pacifiers or glucose water
•No separation of Mother & Baby

Cesarean Birth:
•Spinal/epidural anesthesia
•Video/Pictures taken
•Screen lowered to view the birth or mirror
•Free one hand to touch the baby
•Breast feeding in recovery room
•I want my grandmother(s) present in the room.

Sick Baby:
•Breast feeding as soon as possible
•Unlimited visitation for parents
•If the baby is transported to another facility, move us as soon as possible







I had originally asked not to have the eye drops put in..my reasoning behind this was I wanted more time with the baby as soon as possible. But the nurses told me it took about 15 seconds to put in, so I had them put in.



I asked for her to immediately be put on my chest before they did anything to her though. And they did. Then I held her for a minute while wiping her off and then they took her and cleaned her up and brought her immediately back to me.

Leslie85 wrote: Here it is...


Mother-to-be: Leslie
Due Date: 03/28/2007
Practitioner: Dr. Leslie Hardick Place of Birth: Harris Methodist Downtown


This birth plan is intended to express the preference and desires I have for the birth of my baby. It is not intended to be a script. I fully realize that situations may arise such that my plan cannot and should not be followed. However, I hope that barring any extenuating circumstances, you will be able to keep me informed and aware of my options. Thank you.

First Stage (Labor):
•Dim lights.
•Music of our choice.
•Mobility not important (catheter)
•Clear fluids.
•Ice chips.
•IV fluids.
•Continuous Monitoring with external monitor.
•Please offer me pain medication, as soon as possible.
•Relaxation techniques (breathing, focusing, etc.).
•Water (Shower or Tub).
•Heat or Cold packs.
•Massage (back, foot, counter pressure, etc.).
•IV med: Demerol.
•Regular Epidural

Induction:
•I would prefer to use Pitocin to start labor.

Augmentation:
•I would prefer to use amniotomy to speed labor.

Second Stage (Birth):
•Choice of position
•Prolonged length, if progress is being made
•Directed Bearing Down
•Prefer to use people for leg support
•I would prefer to tear than have an episiotomy, but please use compresses, massage and positioning.
•Local Anesthesia (for repair)

Baby Care:
•Cut cord immediately
•Delay the eye medication
•Breast feeding only
•No pacifiers or glucose water
•No separation of Mother & Baby

Cesarean Birth:
•Spinal/epidural anesthesia
•Video/Pictures taken
•Screen lowered to view the birth or mirror
•Free one hand to touch the baby
•Breast feeding in recovery room
•I want my grandmother(s) present in the room.

Sick Baby:
•Breast feeding as soon as possible
•Unlimited visitation for parents
•If the baby is transported to another facility, move us as soon as possible







I had originally asked not to have the eye drops put in..my reasoning behind this was I wanted more time with the baby as soon as possible. But the nurses told me it took about 15 seconds to put in, so I had them put in.



I asked for her to immediately be put on my chest before they did anything to her though. And they did. Then I held her for a minute while wiping her off and then they took her and cleaned her up and brought her immediately back to me.

heh, yeah I wanted to hold her immediately too...but when they broke my water at 4 in the afternoon there was already meconium so they told me the people from the nicu would be in the room and would check her out first. then i ended up with my semi-emergency csection and yeah didn't hold her for hours...i could have but i was afraid i'd drop her so i waited till all the drugs wore of. It's amazing to me that she didn't asperate any of her meconium considering she was siting in it for at least 10 hrs.

Thank you all so much. I really appreciate your help!!! You are wonderful.