#1020370 - 12/15/09 09:24 PM
Birth Plan for an Intervention free/natural birth
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dani arnold
Registered: 12/04/01
Posts: 4538
Loc: Brantford ON
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During this pregnancy and my previous ones I've had several people ask me about birth plans and what to put into one. Of course it all depends on what YOU'RE planning for your birth. What do you want? what do you need? what are your feelings on topics like inductions, epidurals, episiotomies, C/S's, positioning for pushing, eating during labour, doula or no doula, midwife or OB...... the list is endless and the Birth Plan you create can be as simple or as complex as you wish it to be.
I am a natural childbirth advocate and have been through every aspect of birth from a wonderful natural homebirth with midwives to a horrifying Caesarean Section that left me almost crippled for over 8 weeks. I'm also a research-a-holic and have done more reading on childbirth than most people in the medical field- that's not bragging, it's just admitting that I have an addiction to the subject of childbirth and have read just about every study and birthing book out there, ROTF!!!
Anyway, My birth plan is -obviously- a natural, intervention free birthing plan. It is rather complex, and detailed, because I have left no room for misunderstanding. I wanted to post it here as an example of what you CAN plan for, and as maybe a starting point to researching and figuring out what YOU want for your birth and in your birth plan.
Please feel free to ask me any questions you want about it 
Due Date: 02/16/2010
Patient of:
Scheduled to deliver at:
To the attending medical personnel and hospital administration.
I am responsible for my health and the health and safety of my child. No one will make decisions other than my self, my husband (or other birthing coach as assigned by me), and no decisions will be made at any point during my labour and delivery and post partum period without full disclosure and open discussion with myself and my husband Nick. I have completely and thoroughly researched all of my decisions and these decisions have been made after being discussed and studied at length by myself and my husband. I am well aware of the risks of having a VBAC, and the risks of having a repeat scheduled Caesarean Section and have decided to continue with my plans of having a TOL and NOT booking a Repeat C/S. I am willing to sign whatever paperwork and waivers the hospital requires in accordance with my decision.
Please feel free to speak to me further about my decisions if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Danielle Arnold
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Labour
* I would like to walk around during labour, and to move and change positions at will throughout labour.
* I will be bringing my own music to play during labour.
* My L&D room is to be kept quiet with lights dimmed.
* I will decide when vaginal exams are to be done and by whom.
* I will eat and drink as necessary during labour to keep up my energy
* Hospital personnel will knock before entering the room- no interns, residents, students or are to enter the room without my express permission
Monitoring
* I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring unless it is required by the condition of our baby. Monitoring can be done with a hand doppler intermittently during labour and delivery
* I will not allow an internal monitor
Labour Augmentation/Induction
* Artificial rupture of membranes is not to be done unless fully discussed and permission given by me.
* I do not agree with the use of pitocin or other chemical induction methods for any reason at any time.
Anaesthesia/Pain Medication
* If I require any form of pain medication I will ask for it- do not ask me if I want it
Caesarean
* Previous Caesareans are not a reason for a repeat C/S, I do not consent to a scheduled C/S
* If my primary care provider determines that a Caesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to obtain a second opinion from another physician if time allows.
* I would like, my husband Nick to be present at all times if our baby requires a Caesarean delivery.
* I wish to have an epidural for anaesthesia.
* If our baby is not in distress, our baby should be immediately given to Nick after birth to be held skin to skin and to be held by me, if possible, during the surgery.
* If a C/S becomes medically necessary and is decided upon by myself and medical staff, the baby's cord is not to be clamped or cut for at least 1 full minuted after baby is born and preferably until the cord has completely stopped pulsing.
Episiotomy
* An Episiotomy is NOT necessary for any reason. I would rather tear than be cut
Delivery
* I will choose the position in which I give birth, including squatting and on hands and knees.
* I would like to try to deliver in a squatting position, using Nick, my husband or a squatting bar for support.
* I would like a mirror available so I can see our baby's head when it crowns.
* I would like myself and my husband to actively participate in my childs crowning and birth,.
* Even if I am fully dilated, I would like to wait until I feel the urge to push before beginning the pushing phase, and barring medical necessity, I will push at my discretion and my pace.
* I would like to have the room lights turned low for transition and birth, and the room to be kept quiet with a minimum of speaking.
* I would like to have our baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
* No interns or student allowed in the L&D room, no unnecessary personnel,
* No speaking is necessary, I will direct how and when I wish to move or change positions or push
Immediately After Delivery
* The umbilical cord is to completely stop pulsating before it is cut.
* I will hold our baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made. if for some reason I am incapable, then my husband will hold the baby skin to skin after birth.
* any APGARs or evaluations of our baby can be done with our baby on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an emergency situation.
* If our baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, Nick, my husband or some other person I designate will accompany our baby at all times.
* The baby will not be separated from me for any reason without full disclosure of medical necessity and my permission is granted.
* I do not want a routine injection of Pitocin after the delivery to aid in expelling the placenta. The placenta is to be delivered at it's own (reasonable) pace- i do not wish any cord traction nor to be hurried into procedures to expel the placenta unless there is a serious medical reason- to be fully discussed at the time.
* I would like to see the placenta after it is delivered, and the placenta is to be set aside for me to take home with me.
* No eye drops or shots/vaccinations/ heel pricks to be given to the baby for ANY reason.
* The baby will be weighed measured etc at a later time after the birth, we are not to be disturbed by medical staff after the birth for any reason other than an emergency.
Postpartum
* Our baby will "room in" and be with me at all times.
* The baby is at not time to be separated from me. if for some reason s/he requires medical attention, my self, my husband, or another person authorized by me alone will be with the baby at all times
* I will bathe the baby and attend his/her needs at my own discretion and schedule
Breastfeeding
* I will be exclusively breastfeeding On Demand immediately after birth - NO supplementation is necessary or needed regardless of jaundice or sugar levels. No formula, sugar water or any other type of supplementation will be given to the baby without my express permission.
* I do not want our baby to be given a pacifier or any type of artificial nipple.
Circumcision
* Circumcision is genital mutilation and not to be even discussed nor mentioned by medical staff
Photo/Video
* I may want to take still photographs during labor and the birth.
* I may want to make a video recording of labour and/or the birth.
Other
* Barring unforeseen circumstances or emergencies, I wish myself and my baby to return home within hours of the the birth.
* I would like my other children to be able to visit me and our baby in the hospital.
* I would prefer that no students, interns, residents or non-essential personnel be present during my labour or the birth.
* I do not consent to blood transfusions or drugs of any type for myself or my child without full disclosure of the reasons and risks.
_________________________
Dani Arnold Administrator  http://www.naturalmothering.caCome and visit my new blog - Informed Parenting http://iinformedparenting.blogspot.com/"You must be the change you want to see in the world." ~ Mahatama Gandhi Soul Mated to Nick Gabriel 1991- My Pele Quinlin 2002- My Princess Keira 2005- My Pixie Logan 2007- My Picklehead Kael 2010- My Boobalumba  Multi Tasking 
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