I had a lengthy birth plan with my first pregnancy. I went on for pages about what would happen during my birth. I researched it thoroughly (and it was very closed and unnegotiable).
However due to a very quick emergency caesar, it was not even looked at.
For pregnancy number 2 I had to prepare and rethink. I wanted a VBAC and when researching that, I really thought about what I wanted in my birth. I also read some great books (on home birthing) and went to a calm birth course. I had a clearer idea of what could happen and what was really important to me.
Then I wrote a birth preferences letter (one page). It was a letter to the staff saying how I envisioned my birth - what was negotiable and what was not. And it thanked them for their support. I took it to the hospital BEFORE the birth (ie when I booked in) and showed it to my ob before too. Some things could not be changed (eg constant monitoring due to previous caesar) but most things were done - eg dim lights, music playing, husband present, quiet room, lack of interference, baby breastfed etc... It worked well and gave them some idea what to expect of us when I called to say we were coming in.
I also wrote them a thank you letter afterwards stating that I had appreciated how much they respected our wishes and all the help they gave us in achieving a VBAC. It didn't all work according to plan, but that was OK and the way my preferences letter was written meant they knew we were informed and they could negotiate.
My only negative experience this time around was getting a third degree tear and being told by the ob "you said you didn't want an episiotomy (no, I actually said I didn't want an UNNECESSARY one) so God gave you one anyway!!" Thanks, mate (not funny)!
Anyway, for those of you 'planning' your birth I have attached it to give you some ideas - with a note of warning. Prepare, Research and decide for yourself what really matters to you. Even if everything went haywire and nothing went as planned what are the key things would help you stay sane and feel connected to your baby?
And, when I say prepare - I mean for all eventualities - I remember saying for my first "I couldn't deal with a caesar" and that's what happened. We
could deal with it when it happened and, despite saying otherwise, my hubby held my hand the whole way through. However, because I refused to deal with it beforehand I went into a panic - I knew nothing about what to expect and recovery etc... So my advice is prepare for everything.
Anyway, here goes:
We have chosen you, the midwives of XX hospital as the people we want to attend us for the birth of our baby. We have chosen the “Calmbirth” method of quiet relaxed birth and believe that you will support and respect our wishes to use “calmbirth” techniques. Your support in our quest for a VBAC is greatly appreciated.
In order to give our baby a calm birth, there must be a belief in Katherine’s ability to give birth naturally. There should be encouraging words and a reassuring comfortable environment for success in our desire for a gentle and empowering birth.
We have given careful consideration during the prenatal period to the many ideas presented to us from many sources. Listed below are our preferences for our birthing based on all this information and especially from the “calmbirth” classes.
We feel that what is written below represents our wishes at this time. We realise that as labour progresses, we may choose to change our thinking and wish to feel free to do so. We understand that these choices presume a normal pregnancy and birth.
Should a situation arise which constitutes a medical emergency, please know that you will have our complete cooperation. We would appreciate, time permitting, a full explanation of the medical need for the intervention and, if possible, time to discuss the decision between ourselves.
We wish to have clear and adequate explanations of all procedures, of the progress of labour as it is assessed and of any possible complications if they occur. In the absence of such complications we ask that the following requests be honoured.
We request that the birthing environment be kept as peaceful as possible, including the use of dim lighting and quiet music of our choice. That Katherine be given the freedom to assume and change positions during labour and birthing as she desires.
We understand that in our case, monitoring is necessary, however Katherine would prefer not to be attached to a monitor constantly. We do not consent to a monitor being attached to our baby’s head.
Katherine does not want to be hooked up to a restrictive IV line unnecessarily – though we agree to a heparin lock in her hand, should the need arise for an IV line.
We request that labour be allowed to progress in the most natural way possible without unnecessary inducement or intervention, to “hurry things along” unless there is a medical emergency. That an episiotomy only be performed if necessary and after consultation with us.
If labour is moving slowly, please use every trick in the book in regard to relaxation techniques and positions, before calling in an obstetrician.
We request that our baby is given immediate skin to skin contact by being placed on Katherine’s stomach, with the cord to be clamped only after pulsation has ceased and cut by Carlyle.
We ask that our baby be accompanied by Carlyle and/or Katherine at all times and that no medical procedure be performed on the infant, including vaccination, without our consent.
We are committed to breastfeeding, and ask that our baby be offered the breast as early as possible. As we had problems breastfeeding with our first child, Katherine would appreciate your support and experience to achieve this.
As far as possible we would like the above to be recognized even in case of an emergency caesarian and we wish Carlyle to be there at all times.
Thank you for honouring our wishes, and supporting us to birth our baby gently.
(January 2007) (
