My Birth Plan

Writing a clear, concise and brief birth plan is essential if you want your birth to go well. Not only will a birth plan tell your OB or midwife your preferences, but it will also determine the kind of nurse you are assigned.

I believe, quite strongly, that one of the primary reasons why my natural hospital birth went so well was because I had a fantastic nurse. Why did I have such a great nurse? Because she read my birth plan and chose me that day.

This is how it works…First, you submit your plan to your OB or Midwife and you go over the details with them. They sign it and then put it in your file.

When you arrive in labor at the hospital, the nurses gather, read your file and will volunteer or pick the mom(s) they want to work with. Some nurses want NOTHING to do with a natural birth. They would much rather work with a mom who is choosing to have a epidural or a planned c-section.

So, all that being said, here is my birth plan word for word. Feel free to copy and paste this into a word document and edit it accordingly.

Try to keep it to one page if possible, this makes for easier reading for the busy nurses and increase the likelihood that it will acutually be read.

Jessica & Matthew Ray Birth Preferences

Dear Hospital Staff,

We trust in your expertise and sensitivity and thank you in advance for your support during our birth. Below is our “ideal” birthing scenario, but we realize that in the event of a life-threatening emergency, we will be relying on your professional judgment and skills to see us through. If the labor is normal, we ask that you refrain from using any interventions not previously agreed upon.

Jessica will be using various techniques of self-hypnosis, and for this reason we ask that the staff speak softly and avoid references to “pain” and “hard work”. Please do not offer pain medication.

The people present for the birth will be Jessica’s Mom, doula, and possibly a friend.

Labor

- pain management: self-hypnosis, bath/shower, hot/cold therapy, massage, birth ball

- hydration: drinking fluids rather than having an IV

- food: according to appetite

- freedom to move around

- Heparin lock if needed

- as long as the baby and I are doing well:

- intermittent rather than continuous EFM

- no stringent time limits

Delivery

- as long as the baby and I are doing well:

- no stringent time limits

- quiet room, with no excited cheering

- position: whatever feels right (side lying, squatting, hands & knees, etc.)

- perineal massage, hot compresses, and oil would be appreciated

- prefer risking a tear rather than having an episiotomy

After delivery

- hold my baby right away, putting off any procedures that aren’t urgent

- wait until cord stops pulsing before clamping

- have Matthew cut the cord

- breastfeed as soon as possible

- no pitocin unless needed

- all newborn procedures done in my presence or, if I can’t be there, in Matthew’s presence

Infant Care

- breastfeeding only - no bottles or pacifiers

- routine checks for baby’s vital signs performed in my room

If C-section is needed, I’d like:

- Matthew to be present at all times

- the screen lowered a bit so I can see my baby coming out

- the baby given to Matthew as soon as he’s dried (as long as he’s okay)

- to breastfeed as soon as possible

Approved:______________________________________________ Date:_______________

Related posts:

1. How to Write a Birth Plan for a Natural Birth
2. My Second Birth Story
3. How to Avoid Interventions During Child Birth
4. My Pregnancy and Birth Story
5. Attachment Parenting Element #1 – Birth Bonding

Tagged as: birth plan, hypno birth, Natural Birth