BTDT moms: BIRTH PLANS

Has anyone done one of these and do you think it's necessary? A girlfriend of mine just showed me her birth plan and I think that they may think she's crazy. Then again, maybe I'm the crazy one for thinking that I can just go in and trust the doctor's to do what they do best and deliver my baby?

This is her plan. Mind you she's NEVER given birth before. I told her that I think that some of her expectation are completely off the wall and unrealistic, but I'd like to get some input from people that have been there.

ENVIRONMENT

I would like to give birth:

In a birthing room.

I would like the following people to be present at the birth:

Partner: My husband
Friend/s: XX, XX, XX

Relative/s: My mother

I would like to bring music.

I would like to wear my own clothes during labor and delivery.

We would like to film and/or photograph in the delivery room.

I would also like the following amenities: my personal effects if possible


PREP

I would like to have an enema upon being admitted.


FIRST-STAGE LABOR

I would prefer not to be separated from my partner at any point during labor or birth.

If water breaks at onset of labor, I would like to wait 6 to 12 hours or more before inducing, my and my baby's condition permitting.

If inducing or augmenting labor become necessary, I would like to try the following techniques:

Pitocin (oxytocin, syntocinon)

Acupuncture

Castor oil

Herbs (blue and black cohosh)

Walking

Sexual intercourse

I would prefer not to undergo internal exams unless they are medically necessary.

I would like to eat and drink during labor.

I would like to stay hydrated by drinking clear fluids and using ice chips.

If I need an IV, I would like to use a heparin or saline lock.

I'm interested in pain medication only if I'm too uncomfortable to handle the pain.

I would like to handle pain in the following ways:

Acupressure

Acupuncture

Massage

Relaxation

Breathing techniques/distraction

Hot/cold therapy

Bath/shower

I would like my partner to have the option to join me.

Drugs

If I use drugs, I would prefer to use:

Regional or local analgesia or anesthesia

Narcotics

I would like to be free to walk and move around as I choose during labor.

I would like the baby to be monitored externally.

As long as the baby and I are fine, I would like to be free of time limits and not have my labor augmented.


SECOND-STAGE LABOR

Unless I'm having a medical emergency, I do not want an episiotomy offered to me.

I would like to try the following positions for delivery:

Squatting

Whatever feels right at the time

I would like to have the following birthing equipment made available to me:

Squatting bar

I would like to view the birth using a mirror.

I would like to touch my baby's head as it crowns.

I do not want residents or students to be present during my birth.

As long as the baby and I are fine, I would like to be free of time limits on pushing.

CESAREAN SECTIONS

I would like my partner to be present at all times during the operation.

I would like to be conscious.

I would like the screen lowered so I can see the baby coming out.

We would like to videotape and/or photograph the operation and baby coming out.

I would like to have immediate contact with the baby (if the baby is in good health).

POST-BIRTH

My partner would like to catch our baby.

I would like to hold my baby immediately after birth.

My partner would like to cut the umbilical cord.

I would like all newborn procedures to take place in my presence.

If I can't be with my baby for newborn procedures, my partner would like to stay with the baby at all times.

I plan to breastfeed my baby.

I would like to breastfeed my baby immediately following the birth.

The following pacifiers can be offered to my baby:

Formula

I would like my baby fed on a schedule.

I would like my baby to room-in with me only when I'm awake.

If my baby's a boy, I would like him circumcised.

I would like to stay in a private room.

I would like my partner to spend the night with me.

I would like my hospital stay to be as long as possible.