Pregnancy & Birth birth plan page



	As soon as I knew that I was pregnant I knew that I wanted to have a waterbirth. This is a very strange thing especially considering that I had never consciously contemplated giving birth before and certainly did not know of anyone who had given birth in water. But nevertheless this was what my heart was telling me and it felt very natural. During my pregnancy I kept reading about the importance of having a Birth Plan detailing the wishes for my delivery. Initially I thought that this would not be worthwhile as I knew that I would be giving birth in water and that was that. However it was during my antenatal classes with the NCT (National Childbirth Trust) that I learned the importance of the birth plan, writing it down and telling as many people involved with your pregnancy as possible. Indeed a birth plan is in fact a very good way of making you consider all of the implications of child birth. Not only do you need to decide where or how you would like to give birth, but you also have to consider who you want with you, methods of pain relief, complications that may arise and aftercare. So although I had been adamant that I wanted a waterbirth, I was now aware that it may not be as clear cut as that and that if I didn't put my wishes in writing decisions may be made for me that I may later regret. My NCT class leader, Ann Carrington, gave the class a sheet of topics to consider as issued by St. Helier Hospital and having discussed these subjects we then wrote our Birth Plans. The next thing to do was to discuss everything with Steve and ensure that should he need to speak up for me during the labour he would follow these wishes. I also discussed my Birth Plan with my consultant and made sure that a copy was kept with my notes. So here follows my Birth Plan for the delivery of Oscar George Levin:

	Melanie Levin – Preferences for Birth Plan Father – Steve Levin Expected Due Date – 18th October 2001 Hospital – St. Heliers, Carshalton Waterbirth is main preference Companions/Partner Father – Steve Levin Best Friend – Rebecca Chippendale Induction/Acceleration of labour Unless expected due date has more than a week passed or there is justifiable reason why labour should be induced/accelerated we do not wish medical intervention for this point. Should induction be necessary we would prefer the following process: * A prostaglandin gel or tablet * Syntocinon introduced * Artificial rupture of membranes Eating in labour If Melanie should wish to eat during labour we would expect her to be allowed to do so as long as medical intervention is not necessary. We shall provide nourishing foods in our hospital bag as well as energy drinks such as lucozade. Checking the baby’s heartbeat in labour We accept that the heartbeat will be monitored electronically upon arrival at hospital and would request that this be for as short a period as possible so that Melanie may move around freely. We do not want an internal examination at any time during labour unless absolutely necessary. We would expect midwives to be able to tell how dilated Melanie is through the strength and regularity of contractions as well as by looking alone. We only expect the heartbeat to be monitored again should the labour be long or if problems arise. Pain relief: Self Help/Medical Our initial aim is for as little pain relief as possible and by having a waterbirth we understand that this will be the case anyway. Melanie has undergone a hypnosis session whereby labour was discussed including terminology and relaxation techniques. She has a tape that she will require listening to via a personal stereo and she would expect to be allowed to do so without interuption. We will also be bringing a battery powered stereo on which we would like to play other suitable music in the labour room. Should Melanie choose to have medical pain relief we understand that the only available option for waterbirth is gas and air and we would expect this to be provided if requested. Should Melanie be unable to continue with a waterbirth then we would discuss how to progress medical pain relief as necessary. Episiotomy/Tearing Melanie would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless medically necessary. She has performed perineal massage for the last month of pregnancy and would hope that this is sufficient. She understands that tearing may occur and that this will range in severity and will obviously need to be treated following the birth. Forceps/Ventouse Not to be used unless absolutely necessary however should either be necessary we would prefer the Ventouse. Third stage of labour: Physiological or Managed Physiological unless intervention is determined due to haermorrage. Vitamin K We have no objections to this dosage being given directly following birth and would prefer a single injection. After the birth We would like Steve or myself to discover the sex of the baby and not be told by the midwife. Melanie would like to put the baby immediately to breast and the umbilical to be allowed to stop pulsating before being cut. Steve does not wish to cut the umbilical cord. We would like the placenta to be donated for blood or research should the hospital carry out this practice. Caesarean Section Unless it is determined that Caesarean is absolutely necessary we would obviously prefer to avoid this option. Should a Caesarean be deemed necessary, then my we would chose to deliver by epidural with a curtain raised quite high to prevent either of us from seeing the operation. We would still like to discover the sex of the baby ourselves and would wish the baby, providing no medical intervention is required to be given directly to us. Following Caesarean section Steve will tend to the baby until Melanie is fit. Special care If special care is needed for the baby then we would like to be consulted at every stage and kept informed of its progress. We would like to therefore have as much time as possible with the baby and as much contact as possible. Feeding the baby We have chosen breastfeeding as the best option for our baby and Melanie has attended an NCT class on this subject and feels relatively confident about doing so. We would obviously like to be able to consult with a midwife should any problems arise. Going home Melanie has been provisionally booked for a standard 48 hour stay in hospital. Steve will collect her and the baby as soon as she is ready to return home and providing that medically she is fit and we would expect her to be allowed to leave sooner than 48 hours is she chooses to.