I’ve had three babies and I will be the first to tell you that your birth plan almost NEVER will go exactly as you want it to, however, I find that it’s helpful to have a plan written out so that you feel less anxious about the delivery day and so your nurses can learn more about the things you prefer.
We opted for birth via Cesarean due to limitations with help at home and a lack of a “tribe”, but I wanted to share with you my latest birth plan for our third baby, in hopes of giving you some inspiration for your birth plan!
You can also read my birth stories here :
My Birth Plan
Overview: We would like to accomplish the following things during the birth of our baby as long as there are no complications with mom or baby. We hope to make our Cesarean delivery as safe, intimate, and family-centered as possible by addressing our physical and emotional needs with the following requests.
For pain relief, I prefer fentanyl while laboring before receiving an epidural.
Prior to surgery, I would like an explanation of medications and procedures before being taken into the OR. I would also like my spouse, Jonah Levy, in the room with me – if he’s able.
During delivery, I would prefer :
- to wear my own hospital gown.
- dimmed lighting.
- hands-free to be able to hold my baby skin to skin, as best as I can.
- my spouse to take pictures/video of the delivery of my baby to help it be as personal and intimate as possible.
- a clear or lowered drape so I may be able to see the birth of my baby.
- ECG leads placed on my back so my chest is free for skin to skin contact once my baby is born.
** I do NOT want students in my delivery.**
Immediately following delivery, I would prefer :
- to delay cord clamping until the placenta/chord has completed pulsing.
- to save my placenta in provided bags and cooler for encapsulation. Ice is needed.
- for my spouse to cut the umbilical cord.
- immediate skin-to-skin on me or my spouse.
- to delay measurements/assessments of my baby so that we may remain skin-to-skin.
- to allow the baby to latch on as soon as possible within 1 hour of delivery.
For the baby :
- the lights dimmed so that baby will be encouraged to open her eyes.
- the vernix left on the baby so that I can rub it in. NO bath.
- aluminum-free Vitamin K shot, if available.
- NO erythromycin eye ointment.
- vaginal swab in mouth after delivery.
- My spouse to accompany my baby to the NICU/Nursery if a transfer is needed.
- NO formula or sugar water.
During recovery, I would prefer :
- a lactation consultant to visit to help with latching or other breastfeeding concerns.
- my IV, catheter, ECG leads, etc. removed as soon as possible to eat and get up to use the restroom as soon as I feel ready and able to do so, following delivery.
- Q8 Vitals unless medically necessary.
- Abdominal Binder for recovery.
** We prefer Baby Girl Levy to stay in the room with mom and have any vitals or testing done in the room as well **
There you have it! Here are some further explanations (do your own research) :
- In my experience, most hospitals let you wear your own gown as long as it opens in the back.
- I would use words such as “prefer” and “preferably” because from experience in working on a Mother and Baby Unit – your nurses will respond better if you aren’t super firm.
- I’ve encapsulated 3 placentas already and it’s always one of the best decisions – I would definitely look into it if you’re curious. The benefits of placenta consumption are magical. You can read more about my journey with that and other helpful tips for the Baby Blues HERE. Bring a styrofoam cooler for that.
- “Q8” means every 8 hours. They usually come in every 2-4 hours and it’s disruptive if you aren’t having any medical complications and you just want to bond with your baby…. or sleep.
If you want to know what I packed in my Hospital Bag, you can read that post HERE.
Did your birth plan pan out just the way you wanted it to? Let me know in the comments!
