My Birth Plan
About Me and Previous Birth Experience
I am 31 years old. This is our second baby. My first baby was a long induced labour at 42 weeks. I hated the pethidine because me it made sleepy and feel out of control, I used gas and air but remained on my back throughout in the labour ward because I was so tired. I requested an epidural but I was encouraged to go without it.
My second stage was 3 and half hours long and I ended up with an epistomony, and an assisted delivery because i was exhausted, my bladder was full and the baby was getting distressed. Ella weighed 9lbs and was born on the 4th August. She shared her due date with this baby.
Birth companion
My husband George
Pain relief
If we arrive in hospital before I am 5cm dilated, I plan on using the TENS machine, walking around, different positions and using a birthing ball (if available) to stay in the upright position. If I want to lie down, please encourage me to stay off my back.
I would also like to try and use water as a pain relief would love to use the birthing pool but if i feel i am not coping I plan to have an epidural. If possible, I would like to have a mobile epidural as I would like to stay on my side/on all fours/in a well supported squat, in order to keep the pelvis well open.
No pethidine or anything that will make me feel confused or sleepy.
Pain Relief if Induced
I would like to try different positions and be as mobile as possible until i feel i can't cope but after my last experience of induction i will probably want an epidural.
Monitoring
I will follow midwife recommendations for monitoring my baby.
Interventions
As few as possible but i would rather have episiotomy than tear if it looks as though the tear will be big. I am happy to have assisted delivery if necessary and will be guided by the midwife.
Delivery positions
I would like to give birth in an upright/kneeling/supported squatting/all-fours position to give my baby maximum space to descend through my pelvis. I dont want to be on my back or semi-reclining.
If my baby appears to be stuck I would like to try using the ?drop squat? position for a few pushes first, assuming that he/she is not in distress.
If I have had an epidural, I would still like as much help as is possible to keep off my back, being on my side or on all-fours
After the Birth
My husband would like to cut the cord.
I would like the baby to be handed to me straight away for skin to skin as long as possible then to breastfeed soon after birth. If possible, we would like to spend time alone with our baby in the delivery room.
Vitamin K to be given.
If I need stitches, I would like a local anaesthetic or if I?ve had one, a top up on the epidural.
Third stage:
I happy to have an injection to speed up the delivery of the placenta.
This birth plan is not meant to be rigid. I am happy to change it, after discussion with you, if there are problems with my labour.
Thank-you for all your help.