OK, here is my birth plan from DS1, bit long winded and they don't have to be this longth, but here goes.
In General
I plan to give birth in a Birthing pool, at the hospital. I hope to use the birthing pool throughout labour and birth, with the use of acupuncture, if necessary. If a birthing pool is not available, then I wish to be allowed to walk around and stay mobile for as long as possible. I do not want to be laid on my back for the birth.
I plan on having my husband (Chris) and my Mother in the room with me. My husband and I will be using hypnotherapy and relaxation techniques. We would like a natural birth and would really appreciate a quiet and calm environment. Please be assured that you will have our full co-operation in the event of a medical circumstance, subject to having discussed things.
The Labour
We would like to allow labour and delivery to progress at its own pace, and would appreciate having no time pressures as far as possible, or procedures based solely on the passing of time. If all else is well with the baby and me, we are happy to wait while nature takes its course. I do not want an injection / drugs just to speed up the delivery if there are no signs of distress to my baby.
I hope to manage without drugs for pain relief, and I plan to use hypnotherapy with the help of Chris. However, I am not ruling out the use of drugs but would only like to use if necessary and with the advice and assistance of medical staff.
I understand that labour can slow down or even stop for around an hour between stage two and three, please allow a passive hour to enable me to stay relaxed and listen to my body's cues as to when baby is ready to be helped into the world. I do not want to have any use of fundal pressure.
The Birth
When the baby is born, please pass him straight to me to lay on my chest. I would like Chris to remain in the room with us so we can bond together as a family. Chris would like to cut the cord. I would like the cord clamped and cut when it stops pulsating. I wish no drugs to be used unless specifically needed. It is important to me that you do not clamp the cord until it has stopped pulsating, unless you need to take emergency steps which preclude this.
Care of the Baby
If possible I would rather have baby with me for at least an hour after birth, before any weighing and cleaning etc. I would like to breastfeed my baby as soon as possible after the birth.
If, for some reason, I am medically unwell and unable to have skin-to-skin contact with my baby I would like Chris to have skin-to-skin contact with him.
We are happy for the baby to receive Vitamin K.
Other Information
If an epidural is unavoidable I would prefer to have a mobile epidural if at all possible.
I am very keen to avoid a caesarean section if it is at all possible. I particularly would
like to avoid a caesarean just for slow progress. If labour is simply taking a long time but my baby is not in immediate danger, please would you encourage me to keep going and perhaps to try changes of position or movements which might help. Please do not offer a caesarean unless my baby is in danger.
If a caesarean section becomes necessary, I would prefer to remain awake with epidural or spinal block anaesthesia. I would like Chris to stay with me at all times, and would like to breastfeed the baby as soon after birth as possible.
Please do not give my baby supplements of glucose water or formula milk without my
permission. I would expressly like to avoid having any formula supplements unless it is unavoidable, and certainly not in the first two days in any event.
If I have trouble breastfeeding, I would greatly appreciate the help of a midwife who is
fully supportive of breastfeeding.
Thank you so much for reading this and helping us to have the birth we are hoping for.