So my wonderful fiance has been doing his daddy reading and told me that we should start making a birth plan. Obviously I’ve been working on one but it was absolutely the sweetest thing that he brought it up. I know birth plans don’t always go the way you want them to but if I’m able to have a successful VBAC these are my hopes. If it comes down to a caesarian then I guess we will take another route.
Environment
– I prefer a private room in the hospital
– I would like to give birth in the hospital
– I would like to have subdued lighting if possible
Companions
– I only want my partner, doctors, nurses and midwives in the room
– I would like my partner or companion(s) to be with me during labor
– My family and children can visit me in the hospital
Photos & videos
– I would like to have pictures or videos taken during every stage of labor and birth
Induction
– If necessary, I am ok with my waters being broken to induce labor but I would like to try natural methods first
Pain Relief
– If possible, I would like to start with just pain meds and if needed move to an epidural
Tearing & Episiotomy
– I would like to avoid any episiotomy, unless it is an emergency
During Labor
– I would like to be able to move or walk around freely
– I would like to be free to eat and drink when I want to
– I would like to try various birthing positions
– I would like to use spontaneous bearing down and not forced pushing
– Please remind me to drink regularly and use the bathroom
Caesarean Birth
– Do not perform a hysterectomy, unless it is the only option to save my life
– I would like my partner or companion to be with me if I have a cesarean birth
– I would like the baby to be given to my partner immediately after delivery
– If an emergency cesarean is required, I would like to stay awake
– If possible, I would like to avoid a cesarean birth
Delivery
– I would like to push when I feel like doing it rather than being told when to push
Birthing Equipment
– I plan to use a labor ball
After Delivery
– If possible, I do not want to be separated from my baby after delivery
– My partner will stay with our baby if there is an emergency
– We would like to have skin-to-skin contact and time to bond with the baby as soon as possible after delivery
– We would not like any Vitamin K to be given to our baby, unless our baby is born by cesarean
Umbilical Cord
– I don’t want the umbilical cord to be cut immediately, but want to wait until it stops pulsating, so that the baby gets all the remaining cord blood
– I would like my partner to cut the umbilical cord
Feeding
– I would like to breastfeed my baby as soon as possible after birth
Me too. I prefer hospital birth than home birth.