Birth Plan

I was very nervous about the labour and delivery - I'm really scared of pain!! I felt even worse when Deryk said he didn't want to be in the room during delivery, but I understand - I don't wanna be there either!! LOL

I've been doing a lot of reading and research, and I must say I feel a whole lot better. There is overwhelming scientific evidence to support the fact that natural childbirth is best for mother and baby, and so I've made the decision to try my best to go all natural.

I'd like the ability and the freedom to choose a natural active birth process, the same way many women choose elective Cesareans or choose epidurals or choose to be induced. In today's world, many women are NOT given the choice of natural birth and many hospitals especially in the United States are even hostile towards this option which they compare to having a tooth pulled without lidocaine. This is why most women who have educated themselves and choose natural childbirth either do so at home or at a freestanding birth center with midwives and other supportive persons. However, thanks to my terrible insurance company - I do not have this luxury. They have given me a few hospitals to choose from - all in very inconvenient locations too.

So on top of having to deal with the stress and drama of the labor process, I will be fighting off the nurses and hospital staff who are trained to administer DRUGS - how will I be able to withstand their offers when I'm uncomfortable and the pain at times seems unbearable?

With the help of professional labour support - I plan to hire a Doula.

Will I be able to find a hospital - in my restricted choice, that allows me the freedom to move around, NOT give birth on my back, NOT be forced to be uncomfortably strapped into my bed? They're trained to medically manage a natural process! They yearn for control when none is needed. They are impatient and administer drugs to get labor started, drugs to keep it going - those same drugs make the contractions worse, so then they administer the epidural to block the pain, which slows down labor, and restricts the use of your legs, then they admit your for emergency c-section when you fail to progress within THEIR arbitrary timeline.

Updated 16/02/10 my birth plan...

• TANISA SAMUEL

  BIRTH PLAN

  Hello to the wonderful nurses and support team of Holy Cross Hospital, I want to thank-you very much for helping me through my first labor and delivery experience. I have had a healthy low risk pregnancy so I am hoping for a natural childbirth experience and I appreciate your support and expertise. While this is my wish, I am also realistic and flexible; I feel confident that I can make informed decisions when needed.

  LABOUR & DELIVERY

  • Freedom to return home during the early stages of labor

  • Stay home until active labor begins

  • Ability to move freely

  • I would prefer intermittent external fetal monitoring

  • Freedom to eat and drink as needed

  • Prefer not to be connected to IV fluids - I will replenish fluids through drinking water

  • I would prefer not to manually rupture membranes

  • Limit vaginal examination, especially after membranes are ruptured

  • Allow 24 hours for labor to progress AFTER membranes ruptured

  • Please No Pitocin

  • Please do not offer an EPIDURAL or other narcotics such as demerol

  • Freedom to surrender to the experience, allowing my body to tell me what is needed and follow instincts for movement, positions and when to push

  • I’d like to stay active and upright during labor

  • Use alternative pain relief methods such as showers, baths, massage etc.

  • Prefer NOT to lay flat on back while pushing

  • If progress is slow, baby may be in wrong position - use alternative methods of turning baby - such as getting on all fours and allowing gravity to help baby turn his back to my belly.

  • If instruments required – I prefer vacuum over forceps

  • Please please NO episiotomy, I prefer to tear.

  • If possible, I’d like measures taken to reduce possibility of tearing perineum; such as warm compresses and controlled pushing.

  • No injections to perineum please, unless I tear and require stitches postpartum.

  Third Stage and First hours after birth

  · I’d like my spouse to cut the umbilical cord (2^nd option: My Mom)

  · The clamping and cutting of the cord can be done immediately

  · I would like to donate my cord blood cells

  · Whether or not I have had stitches to the perineum, I would appreciate an ice pack to reduce swelling and discomfort

  · I would like the baby placed directly in my arms

  · After observation, APGAR, weighing & first bath, the baby can be wrapped in a warm blanket and placed in my arms or father’s arms

  · Please administer Vitamin K and eye care

  Healthy Baby Care

  · I would like to begin breastfeeding within the first hour or whenever she is hungry

  · Please do not offer my baby a bottle or formula

  · I will feed the baby on her cue

  · Newborn exam can be performed by hospital pediatrician

  · If we have a boy, I’d like to circumcise him within two days with local anesthesia

  · I’d like my baby immunized