Birth Plan

I have had a lot of people ask me what a birth plan is, so I have decided to share ours here. If you are interested in checking it out, this is a pretty standard example of a HypnoBirthing birth plan (I have excluded certain names for privacy reasons). A copy has been given to our health care provider and I will also bring one to the hospital. Please click "read more" if you want to read it:

Dear Health-Care Providers:

            My husband and I have chosen you, Back Cove Midwives, and you, Birthplace at Mercy staff, as the people we want to attend us when our baby is born. We have chosen the HypnoBirthing method of quiet, relaxed, natural birth. From everything we have heard from others, we truly believe that you will do your utmost to help us attain our wish for a joyous, memorable and most satisfying natural birth.

            The information that follows is a copy of our birth preferences. My husband and I have given careful consideration to each specific request in the plan, and we feel that it represents our wishes at this time. We realize that as labor ensues, we may choose to change our thinking and wish to feel free to do so. We understand that these choices presume a normal pregnancy and birth. Should a situation arise that constitutes a medical emergency, please know that you will have our complete cooperation after we have had an opportunity for an explanation of the medical need and have had sufficient time to discuss the decision between ourselves. We wish to have clear explanations of all suggested procedures, of the progress of labor as it is assessed, and of any possible special circumstances if they occur. In the absence of special circumstances, we ask that the following requests be honored.

            Please attach this to my prenatal record and make it available to all physicians/staff who may be attending the birth should you not be attending us.

           Your support and understanding are very much appreciated.

           Sincerely,

Jasmin Robinson

Birth Plan for Jasmin Robinson

My primary caregivers are the Back Cove Midwives and my due date is July 25
My support person will be my husband.

·         Our baby’s caregiver is XX

Pre-Admission Requests:

·         To consider artificial initiation of labor only if labor is unusually delayed and there is medical urgency

·         To delay artificial induction of labor for a reasonable period after the release of membranes if mother and baby show no signs of infection.

·         To remain at home as long as possible before going to the hospital.

Preferences for Hospital Admission:

·         The patience and understanding of caregivers to support our wish to refrain from having any practice or procedures that, in the absence of medical urgency, could unnecessarily stand in the way of our having the most natural birth possible.

·         To have the option to return home until labor progresses if less than 4 centimeters opened and if there are no situations that warrant admission.

·         To decline routine IV prep upon admission.

·         Natural means of inducement, moving to minimum doses of artificial induction only if medically urgent.

·         That artificial induction drugs be removed once uterus is naturally thinning and opening.

·         To have subdued lighting, music and quiet tones.

·         To have only intermittent monitoring (EFM) of FHR after the mandatory strip at admission.

·         To have no telephone calls relayed—only messages.

·         To respectfully decline to participate in the taking of pain scale information.

Preferences for the First Stage of Labor:

·         The patience and understanding of caregivers to support our wish to refrain from having any practice or procedures that, in the absence of medical urgency, could unnecessarily stand in the way of our having the most natural birth possible.

·         To have only necessary birthplace staff or cheerful observers, please.

·         That staff refrains from references to “pain, hurt, etc.” and any offer of medication or labor-enhancing procedures unless requested.

·         To be free of blood-pressure cuff between readings

·         Manual intermittent monitoring after pattern is established.

·         Nutritional snacking if labor is prolonged.

·         Freedom to walk and move or not walk or move during labor.

·         To change positions and assume labor positions of choice.

·         Minimal number of vaginal exams –with permission- to avoid premature rupture of membranes, and with as few different examiners as possible.

·         That labor be allowed to take its natural course without references to “moving things along” or “augmenting labor”.

·         To use natural oxytocin stimulation- nipple or clitoral stimulation- in the event of a slow or resting labor, and to be accorded the privacy to do so.

·         To be fully apprised and consulted before the introduction of any medical procedure- augmentation, amniotomy, membrane stripping.

·         To enjoy labor in a tub or shower if I want to.

Preferences during Birthing:

·         The patience and understanding of caregivers to support our wish to refrain from having any practice or procedures that, in the absence of medical urgency, could unnecessarily stand in the way of our having the most natural birth possible.

·         To remain in the tub for waterbirthing if I want to at that time.

·         That natural expulsive pulsations of the body be allowed to facilitate the gentle descent of the baby, with mother-directed Birth Breathing to crowning. My husband will offer prompts. No coaching.

·         Use of HypnoBirthing breathing techniques- not other methods.

·         To assume birthing position of choice.

·         Use of warm-oil compresses to avoid episiotomy. No perinatal massage to perineum.

·         Episiotomy only if necessary and only after discussion.

·         Use of topical anesthetic for episiotomy.

·         Complete birthing before suctioning baby’s nose and throat (only if necessary).

Preferences following Birthing:

·         Immediate skin-to-skin contact, with baby placed on mom’s stomach or lower chest. No wrapping of baby. Father joins in this bonding by placing hand on baby’s back under warming blanket.

·         Cord to be clamped and cut only after pulsation has ceased.

·         That the father will cut cord after it stops pulsating.

·         A wait for natural placenta delivery.

·         Baby brought to breast to assist placenta birth.

·         Gentle uterine massage every fifteen minutes to assist placenta birth.

·         Natural nipple stimulation to assist in placenta expulsion.

·         Baby remains in mother’s arms for observation and exam.

·         That the father be allowed to remain with mom in the operating and recovery room in the event of a C-section.

·         That father will hold the baby after C-section birth and bring baby to mom for viewing and eye contact. In absence of urgency, father continues to hold baby for bonding.

Preferences for Newborn Care:

·         Allow vernix to be absorbed into baby’s skin; delay “cleaning or rubbing”. Use of soft cloth, not terry, when rubbing is appropriate.

·         Baby to remain with mother and father as long as possible.

·         Delay use of ointment in baby’s eyes to allow optimal sight for bonding.

·         That our male baby not be circumcised.

·         That father and baby stay with mother throughout the hospital stay.

·         To have footprints made in the baby’s birth book.

·         Breastfeeding several times during the first few hours of baby’s life.

·         Breastfeeding only. No bottles, formula, pacifier or artificial nipples.

We thank you in advance for your support and kind attention to our choices. We know you join us in looking forward to a beautiful birth and celebration of this new life.