My Birth Plan
Where?
• Hospital
• Birthing Center
• Home
Support System
• Spouse
• Parent
• Sibling
• Friend
Environment
• Music
• Lighting
• Things from home
• Pictures
• Clothing
Mobility
– Maintain mobility (Walking, rocking, up to bathroom, etc.)
– Freedom to move in bed only (up to the bathroom)
– Mobility not important (catheter, used with regular epidural)
Pain Relief Options
• Non-Medicinal
• Relaxation• Positioning• Water (Shower or tub)• Heat or Cold Therapy• Massage• Acupressure
• Medicine– IV – Epidural
• Classical Epidural• General Anesthesia
Positions Using "Birth Ball" In Labor
Hands and knees
Reduces strain on the perineum. Allows free movement into other positions such as
semi-sitting and side-lying. Helps to slow down a rapid birth.
Squatting
Naturally helps to open the pelvis Allows the baby to rotate into a position conducive for
birth Can become tiring or uncomfortable for the mother if
the delivery exceeds the normal time period. May require some practice to get used to.
May make it difficult for the doctor to support the perineum.
Semi-sitting
Involves a semi-sitting position with the spine curved and legs drawn up.
Makes use of gravity to facilitate the delivery.
Makes it difficult sometimes for the baby to descend under the pubic bone.
Side-lying
Reduces the need for an epistiomy—a surgical incision made in the perineum to enlarge the
vagina and facilitate delivery. Reduces pressure of the uterus on major blood
vessels and the perineum. Is more relaxing for the mother.
Helps prevent back ache. Is ideal for mothers suffering from high blood
pressure. Helps to slow down a rapid birth.
Cord Cutting
– Immediate (Sometimes done because the cord is around the neck or because the parents have no preference.)
– Delayed (Some parents prefer that the cord not be cut until after it has stopped pulsating so that the baby receive all of the blood from the placenta.)
– Partner to cut cord
Feeding Baby
– Breast feeding only
– Bottle feeding only
– Combination
– No pacifiers or glucose water
Separation
– Delayed (after recovery period)
– Partial Rooming-In (Baby with mother during day, but not night.)
– Nursery (baby brought to you on your schedule.)
Circumcision
– None (Check here if you do not intend to have the baby circumcised, or if you do not intend to have him circumcised at the birth place.)
– Do not retract the foreskin – In the Hospital – Parents Present – Use anesthesia (Depends on the practitioner)