Can I write this birthing plan in my notes?

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

First time round I was told I couldn't have a waterbirth due to being tested +ve for GBS. Ive since found out that that information was incorrect and so have requested a water birth this time around.

I was given syntocin (sp?) as my contractions stuck at 4cms for a good few hours (I was laid down and given internals and on the antibiotic drip for GBS which I think is what slowed my body down).

Due to the induction, the pain levels spiralled and I went from.not needing gas and air to having diamorphine, followed by dd needing a clip, then prepped for surgery, given an epidural, snipped and her forcepped out.

I hated beyond hate the internals. I found them incredibly painful and tbh very disheartening being told "still 4cms" etc.

I intend to write the following:
*Labour in the pool, deliver in there if possible
*No internals.
*No drug to induce me (providing I go into labour naturally within the two weeks after my due date or before)

Will they scoff and demand I have an internal? What will they do if I refuse the Syntocin (sp?)

You cannot be forced to submit to an internal examination. You can refuse any procedure and any and all drugs. Your decision. As regards to a birth "plan", I would suggest you make a list of aspirations or wishes. If you have a plan that is too rigid, you may feel that you have failed if you don't stick to it. Make it clear to your HCP what your wishes are and make sure your birth partner is aware so that you are not bullied or coerced into having any examinations or procedures that you are uncomfortable with.

I don't think you can insist on the pool. It's their equipment, so they get to say who uses it. As for the rest, yes, you can say no.

I wrote a post about saying no to an internal. When im on a pc later Il find a link. Ultimately you have to remember its a plan not a definite list of what's going to happen
i had similar on mine but i used the phrase clinicaly nesscery. No internals that is.. Write more soon

You can't insist on the pool. You can state no internals though. I did. I said that I did not give consent for any internals, however, if there was a clinical need then I might reconsider on an individual basis. My lovely MW wrote it in for me, as well as adding my birth plan. She also made it very clear to anyone who became involved in my care. DH and I had had a good chat about it too, so I had two people in with me fighting my corner in case anyone tried to pressurise me, but no one did. I did have an internal, but just one, with fully informed consent. Whilst it was a bit uncomfortable, it was nothing compared to my experiences first time round.

I also had syntocin, but I was fully supported in having an active labour, so I was upright and pacing or swaying. The pain was FAR more manageable than that from an uninduced contraction whilst on my back! I was shocked at the difference.

I strongly advise that you have a good chat with your MW about it, explaining your reasons for your choices, discuss what would happen if you refused syntocin. Would they be happy to let you stop syntocin if you started on it and it was awful? Also, as PicandMinx said, make sure your birth partner is aware of all of it, and let them know what you expect of them in different situations.

I just wanted to add that, despite having a awful time of it first time round, my second labour was actually a really positive experience for me, and I can't praise the HCPs involved, enough. :) Wishing you the best of luck with yours.

Sorry I should have added "where avaliable" on the end of my request for the pool. Speaking with the MWs at Booking In and she said the pool at my local hospital is barely ever used as they dont have the demand for water births. she said it would be very unlikely to be in use when I wanted to use ir.

the thread.. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/2069504-Saying-NO-to-an-examination

I basically wrote, 'don't touch me' on my plan. I'm not the patting, stroking, you're doing well type. Just wanted to get on with it.

Midwife was amazing and really didn't touch me at any point. After DS was born she said she was glad I wrote that as she is normally very hands on.

A "dont touch me" instruction is excellent! Im a very hands off person and DH knew last labour not to stroke my head or hold my hand.

The best use of him was to stand at the end of the bed so I could brace my feet against him through the contractions.

OOh thanks. I don't like anyone to touch me much at the best of times. Would never have thought to put that on a birth plan but of course MW may well think they're being extra nice by patting/stroking!

Though mine might sound like "Please do not touch me to comfort or encourage me. If you need to touch me for medical purposes, please warn me"..?

Sounds like my first labour (apart from the GBS thing).

You need to be careful about the birth pool. It isn't just a question of it being available. Lots of hospitals have rules about when you can use the pool, and one of those rules often relates to being 4cm, or 5cm, dilated. So some areas will refuse access to the pool to anyone refusing internals.

I planned a homebirth mostly around the fact that it would then be my pool, and therefore my rules about whether I chose to get in. In fact, my MW hated internals as much as I did and was happy for me to get in based on other observations, so it was actually her who suggested I got into it.

My birth plan said that I wouldn't agree routine internals and that, if there was a direct clinical reason for one, that should be explained to me and gas and air provided.