Birth Plan

I’ve formulated a birth plan based on an example print out that The Bump has on their website and the information we received in our Birth and Breastfeeding classes so far.  We still have the infant care class coming up so I’m not sure if that will affect some decisions we’ve made.  Instead of using The Bump’s provided checklist I just typed up a document with the things I wanted and didn’t want.  There were some things I didn’t have a preference on so I just left them off to simplify it. 

It lists the obvious info, mother and father’s names, due date, doctor info.  Then it lists things you’d like during labor and how you want to spend the first stages of labor.  I don’t really have a preference, just whatever works best.  It asks what you want for labor augmentation.  I just figured if it comes to that I’d rather have all options explained to me in detail before making a decision.  For pain relief we decided on an Epidural after 6cm dilation.  I definitely don’t want forceps or vacuum extraction used.  I’d honestly rather have a c-section if it comes to that.  I definitely don’t want an episiotomy but I understand it might be necessary to avoid a tear if the baby’s head is too big so I listed that one as a last resort.  We definitely want to delay cord cutting until the baby gets all its cord blood.  I heard three minutes or until the placenta stops pulsating is best.  I’m okay with a c-section if it’s necessary (I originally wanted an elective one until I found out that it interferes with the timing of having another baby and the bonding process after birth since you can’t hold the baby right away.  We want to have the Golden/Magical hour of skin to skin contact immediately after birth to bond with the baby and try to establish self-latch breastfeeding.  I definitely want the baby to stay in the room with me and make sure either my husband or I are present for all the exams.  I want to breastfeed on demand so I don’t want formula given to the baby.  If we have a boy we would like him to be circumcised (I’m pro for several reasons that I won’t get into but mainly that it reduces the susceptibility of STDs and cancer). 

That’s pretty much it.  I’m really glad that I took all those classes.  They were really informative and helped me to understand how different procedures affect me and the baby so I could make more informed decisions about labor and delivery.