I am in the United States. I am delivering in a hospital. I would like to have a natural birth in terms of pain medication but am not opposed to some intervention. There are no tubs at my hospital only showers.
Anyway, I need help with my birth plan. Mostly because I don't know the pros/cons of interventions.
So far my plan is a bit like this (not worded well, I know):
Only husband in the room for labor, with friend allowed in to take pictures of delivery/shortly after the birth.
Lights dimmed during labor, nurses and doctors speaking softly.
Do not offer pain meds unless I ask for them.
Either no iv, or alternative iv placement. I feel like my hand is useless with an IV in.
I would like to stay as mobile as possible so either intermittent fetal monitoring on the bed or use of a hand held doppler is ideal.
I would rather tear than have an episiotomy
I would like skin to skin after the birth, with check ups on baby performed with baby on me rather than being taken away. Unless of course baby isn't breathing or something like that.
Cord not cut until after it stops pulsating, husband to cut the cord.
Would prefer to wait an hr or two before baby is given the eye creams, any injections, etc.
I am ok with injection immediately after birth for delivery of placenta.
Husband is to go with baby if the baby needs to be taken out of the room.
I am not totally against every intervention. The things most important to me are a drug free delivery and not having the baby taken from me unless it is an emergency. So what's the best way to word all this? I don't want to seem confrontational or like I don't trust their expertise. I have already been in this hospital three times with complications and the doctors and nurses are very, very nice. In addition to a birth plan for the nurses, I thought about hanging a piece of paper on the door to my room that reminds them not to ask about pain meds, to speak softly, and to return the lights to dim when leaving the room.
Also. The hospital bag. We are less than ten minutes from the hospital so I don't think we'll need as much as someone living further away. I'm sure my husband will go home to eat, shower and change clothes, perhaps even sleep.
So far my plan is to bring:
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Unscented body washed, feminine wash, and an unscented shampoo (just in case I get really sweaty or something). A shower cap in case I don't need to wash my hair.
Face wipes
Hairbrush, deodorant, etc
Cheap underwear
Depends (I always had heavy periods, so I can only imagine trying to prevent leaks from pads just after birth)
A few large tshirts, possibly gowns. Our hospital is really hot, I can't imagine sweat pants being comfortable? But I will bring some for when we have guests, etc.
Camera, charger
Ipod, charger
Gogurts, cheerios, and gatorade for labor. Snacks for hubby
Yoga ball, yoga mat incase I feel like kneeling on the floor
My pillow with a non-white case
For baby:
Throwing in a newborn box of diapers and wipes in the trunk of my car
Caseat, of course
A few blankets and 3-4 easy outfits in both newborn and 0-3 months
I feel like I'm missing something for baby..
Anyway, I need help with my birth plan. Mostly because I don't know the pros/cons of interventions.
So far my plan is a bit like this (not worded well, I know):
Only husband in the room for labor, with friend allowed in to take pictures of delivery/shortly after the birth.
Lights dimmed during labor, nurses and doctors speaking softly.
Do not offer pain meds unless I ask for them.
Either no iv, or alternative iv placement. I feel like my hand is useless with an IV in.
I would like to stay as mobile as possible so either intermittent fetal monitoring on the bed or use of a hand held doppler is ideal.
I would rather tear than have an episiotomy
I would like skin to skin after the birth, with check ups on baby performed with baby on me rather than being taken away. Unless of course baby isn't breathing or something like that.
Cord not cut until after it stops pulsating, husband to cut the cord.
Would prefer to wait an hr or two before baby is given the eye creams, any injections, etc.
I am ok with injection immediately after birth for delivery of placenta.
Husband is to go with baby if the baby needs to be taken out of the room.
I am not totally against every intervention. The things most important to me are a drug free delivery and not having the baby taken from me unless it is an emergency. So what's the best way to word all this? I don't want to seem confrontational or like I don't trust their expertise. I have already been in this hospital three times with complications and the doctors and nurses are very, very nice. In addition to a birth plan for the nurses, I thought about hanging a piece of paper on the door to my room that reminds them not to ask about pain meds, to speak softly, and to return the lights to dim when leaving the room.
Also. The hospital bag. We are less than ten minutes from the hospital so I don't think we'll need as much as someone living further away. I'm sure my husband will go home to eat, shower and change clothes, perhaps even sleep.
So far my plan is to bring:
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Unscented body washed, feminine wash, and an unscented shampoo (just in case I get really sweaty or something). A shower cap in case I don't need to wash my hair.
Face wipes
Hairbrush, deodorant, etc
Cheap underwear
Depends (I always had heavy periods, so I can only imagine trying to prevent leaks from pads just after birth)
A few large tshirts, possibly gowns. Our hospital is really hot, I can't imagine sweat pants being comfortable? But I will bring some for when we have guests, etc.
Camera, charger
Ipod, charger
Gogurts, cheerios, and gatorade for labor. Snacks for hubby
Yoga ball, yoga mat incase I feel like kneeling on the floor
My pillow with a non-white case
For baby:
Throwing in a newborn box of diapers and wipes in the trunk of my car
Caseat, of course
A few blankets and 3-4 easy outfits in both newborn and 0-3 months
I feel like I'm missing something for baby..
