I'm 33 weeks now. DD arrived at 38 weeks so could be as little as 5 weeks away - Eeek! Don't feel very organised!
Here is my (current) birth plan, if anyone is interested.....
Birth Preferences
We request:
Medical caregivers have the patience and understanding to refrain from any practice or procedure that could unnecessarily stand in the way of our having the most natural birth possible.
To be fully consulted before the introduction of a medical procedure.
Staff honour the need for quiet and refrain from references to ?pain?, ?hurt?, or any offer of medication unless requested, during labour and birthing.
To allow labour and birthing to take its natural course without reference to ?moving things along?.
PRE-ADMISSION
We request:
To consider induction only if onset of labour is unusually delayed and if there is medical urgency.
To use only natural means of inducement, moving to gels, Syntocinon drip or other procedures as a last resort.
To remain at home for as long as possible before going to hospital.
FOR HOSPITAL ADMISSION
We request:
To use the birthing pool if available.
To have a private birthing room with subdued lighting if possible for both labour and birthing.
To bring a music player and have soft music playing in the background.
To have my husband Ed present throughout labour.
DURING THE THINNING AND OPENING PHASE OF LABOUR
We request:
Freedom of choice to walk and move, or not walk or move during labour.
To be free of blood pressure cuff between readings.
To be free of monitoring equipment unless there is a medical necessity, only intermittent monitoring of baby?s heart with fetoscope/doppler. (no internal monitoring in the absence of foetal distress)
To have the use of a birthing ball if one is available.
To use birthing pool if one is available.
No augmentation of labour via Syntocinon, amniotomy, or stripping of membranes without discussion and explanation of need.
If labour stalls, the time and patience to allow labour to restart naturally (in the absence of medical emergency).
As a HypnoBirthing mum I will be in a deep state of relaxation and request:
A minimal number of vaginal exams.
DURING BIRTHING
We Request:
To remain in the pool for water birthing if available.
To allow natural birthing instincts to facilitate the descent of the baby, as much as possible, with mother-directed breathing down until crowning takes place.
Use of HypnoBirthing breathing techniques without staff prompts¬.
To birth in an atmosphere of gentle encouragement during the final birthing phase without coaching ? PLEASE CALM, LOW TONES, FREE OF ?PUSHING? PROMPTS
To assume a birthing position of choice ? NO STIRRUPS PLEASE
Episiotomy only if necessary and only after consultation.
Use of mirror if available to enable me to see crowning and birth.
Videotaping of birth / photos of the birth.
Husband Ed to remain with baby in the event of a surgical procedure.
Allow up to 30 minutes if necessary for natural placenta delivery.
Immediate skin to skin contact and breast feeding to assist in natural placenta expulsion.
No cord traction, Syntocinon, or manual removal of placenta unless there is emergency.
FOR OUR BABY
We request:
To have bright lights temporarily removed until baby is moved to mum?s chest.
Allow vernix to be absorbed into our baby's skin; delay "cleaning or rubbing"; use soft cloth if rubbing is appropriate.
Delay cord clamping and cutting until after pulsation has ceased.
Allow baby to remain with me for bonding and to delay weighing or administrative tasks if they interfere with bonding time
Vitamin K to be used but please delay injection until after our baby is acclimated
Please use a soft cloth, blanket, or pad between our baby and scale during weighing.
Support for breast feeding during the first hours after birth.
We thank you in advance for your support and kind attention to our choices.