Disclaimer: If you haven’t read Part 1 of my Birth Plan, please check it out. It explains why I chose to write a birth plan and how I hope it will help me during the birth experience. It also explains that my birth plan is flexible, meaning I’m not going to allow myself to get into an unsafe situation because I want to stick to the plan so badly. Birth plans can be a touchy subject and often work their way into the mommy wars. Everyone has different priorities, hopes and fears when it comes to birth. This is how I’m dealing with mine.
After a few weeks, I’m now finally getting around to writing about my actual birth plan! I’ve felt very encouraged by all the positive reactions I received from Part 1. Thank you all for your kind words of support and for sharing your stories as well! I’m hoping I receive the same amount of grace and encouragement now, even if my preferences are different from what you would want or have done.
It’s important for me to share, before I begin, that I have been researching childbirth options for years. It’s something that I am very interested in. Over the time that I’ve spent researching, my opinions and preferences have changed on several points. I believe this birth plan most accurately reflects what I want for myself and my baby.
Sidenote: I’m not going to share every single detail of my birth plan, as some of it is quite… graphic. If you’d like to talk to me about the intimate details of my hoo-haa, please don’t :).
Induction:
- If I go past my due date and Lil’ Ziggy and I are fine, I prefer to go into labour naturally rather than be induced. I believe in Alberta they “won’t let you” go more than 10 days over. If induction becomes necessary, I would like to try natural induction techniques first.
The reason for my preferences here is that medical induction techniques such as Pitocin can cause contractions to be much more painful, but not any more effective. This can often lead to more medical interventions as labour progresses (or doesn’t). - If my water breaks before I go into labour, I would like to wait the recommended 24 hours before being induced. I’d still rather use natural induction techniques but my main priority at that point would be avoiding infection.
At the hospital
- I prefer that Chris and my doula stay with me at all times.
- I’d like to use any and all labour equipment available. I’ll be bringing in an exercise ball to bounce/sway on, and I’ll be switching up labouring positions and making use of the squatting bar and shower.
- I’d like my room to be as calm as humanly possible, given that it’s in the L&D ward in a hospital. I’ve asked for a private room so hopefully they’re not packed the day I go into labour. I’d like to create a calm environment by dimming the lights, playing relaxing music (another reason why hiring a massage therapist as my doula will come in handy!), and having people speak softly when in the room with me. I will be the only one yelling in there.
- I’m cool with wearing the super sexy hospital clothing. I’d probably get whatever home clothes I would wear all gross from sweat and baby so I might as well wear something that can be thrown away afterwards. I’ll have some comfy clothes and sweaters in my hospital bag.
- I would prefer to not be hooked up to an IV. Now, if I require antibiotics or other interventions for any reason, I won’t refuse. But I also want to be free to eat and drink without restrictions, so I don’t think hydration will be an issue. I would actually prefer to not even have a saline lock unless it becomes necessary, and having something sticking out of my hand while I’m in labour creeps me out.
Pain Medication Preferences (here we go)
- I will do everything in my power to avoid pain medication during labour. Now before you go all “psht, good luck loser!”, remember that I’ve done a LOT of research on this. And by research, I don’t mean reading crunchy mama blogs, I mean I’ve read literature shared by Alberta Health Services as well as medical journals. And after all that research, and weighing the pros and cons, I. Do. Not. Want. An. Epidural. I do not want a needle going into my back, inserting a catheter into my back, and leaving it there. I don’t want to feel like I can’t move around. I don’t want to risk further complications like a C-Section because my labour slows or stops. There are so many reasons why I don’t want an epidural, but those are the high-level ones.
- I would consider laughing gas or another kind of pain medication before an epidural (mostly because they don’t involve needles in the back), but I don’t like the idea of it affecting my whole body and the baby as well.
- Side note – yes, I know it will hurt a lot more. I know that I may become exhausted. The point is, for me, the cons and risks of an epidural outweigh the pros.
The Main Event
- As long as the baby and I are still doing okay, I don’t want to have a time limit on pushing. We will be on MY schedule, not the doctor’s.
- I do not want the doctor to tell me which position I have to push in. I’ll push in whatever way feels best for me.
- I do not want to have an episiotomy.
- I do not want to have forceps or a vacuum used unless it is a case where the baby could be in trouble without it.
Afterwards
- Lil’ Ziggy will be placed on me immediately after birth for skin to skin contact, and all procedures will be done there.
- I’m cool with the vitamin K shot and the eye ointment, but I will wait until Ziggy’s had some food and is about to fall asleep (can be up to two hours).
- I want to wait 1-3 minutes before the umbilical cord is clamped and cut in order for more blood to return to Ziggy from the placenta.
- Chris and I have discussed it, and he’d like to cut the cord.
- If Lil’ Ziggy is having any problems and has to be taken out of the room, Chris will go along and be present at all times.
- I’d like to exclusively breastfeed Lil’ Ziggy and will gladly accept any help or guidance from the nurses to make that happen. I don’t want the nurses to give Zig formula unless they’ve asked me and we’ve determined that it’s the best thing to do at that moment.
If a C-Section is necessary
- Obviously, I will try everything I can to avoid a C-Section, including avoiding induction, epidural, etc.
- Chris and my doula are to remain with me throughout the whole thing, and I would prefer to be conscious (which would require an epidural. I’m sure I’ll have bigger things to worry about at that point).
- After Lil’ Ziggy is out, I want to see and touch him/her as soon as possible.
And that’s pretty much it. My full birth plan is a little longer, but I cut out the boring/graphic points. I really believe that this is a good plan, and I’m really confident that I can make it happen. Of course, things happen and we may have to change it up, but in just having a plan I feel more positive, prepared and ready.
I can do this!
This post has been happily shared on:
Snippets of Inspiration Weekend Wind Down Party
#BestOfTheBlogosphere Linky Party
Wednesday Roundup via One TIPsy Chick
Momresource.com Mom Blog Party
I just found your blog, and even though I’m not married, I totally agree with the idea of someone sticking a needle in my back and leaving it there. Aaah! O_o I have a phobia of needles though.
I’m not so worried about needles themselves, its just the ones that stay there that creep me out. Like IVs! I did end up having an epidural though – I’ll explain in my forthcoming Birth Story post :). Thanks for reading!
I’m so excited for you! Thanks for sharing your birth plan on the Mom Resource Blog Party. I just love that this is the post you chose to share!! http://www.momresource.com/mom-blogs-week1
As a mom of 2 naturally birthed babies myself (2nd one a home birth!), I’m rooting you on all the way. You’ve got this!!
Thank you Saira! This is my first time linking up with Mom Resource, but I discovered some great new blogs on it! I’ll be linking up in the future as well.
A home birth sounds so interesting… I worry about not having hospital resources in the event of an emergency, but even just having that option for women in my town would be amazing. We don’t have midwives here, so it’s either hospital or unassisted home birth, which requires a slew of training beforehand if I’m not mistaken. Thanks for the encouraging words!
Good luck on your birth! Thanks for linking up with Best of the blogosphere
Thanks Kendra!
Okay so I had to read this twice because the first time around I was so distracted by the fact that you mentioned you’re in Alberta! I nosed around and saw you’re in Fort McMurray! I’m in Edmonton!
Anyway… your birth plan sounds very similar to the ones I had for my first birth. I had a doula for both births but the second time around my doula suggested I make my birth plan less than a page LOL. I refused to have an epidural for both births and the first birth I took laughing gas and that’s all.
Best wishes to you as you prepare for your little one! Such an exciting time for you!
Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.
xoxo
Yay Alberta Buddies! I read a lot of international blogs, but my heart skips a beat when I find a great Canadian blogger that I can relate to. I’ve only been in Alberta since 2010 but I really do love it out here :). Thanks for the encouraging words, looking forward to the next #SHINEbloghop!
I hear you! I get so excited when I find a Canadian blogger but when I find an Albertan?! It’s thrilling!
xoxo
Awesome birth plan Mama! I was the same way about the epidural with both my births. Due to a spinal injury (the most excruciating thing I have ever experienced in my life, WAY worse than giving birth), I decided that an epidural was not right for me. I had two wonderful, epidural-free, laughing gas-assisted births! YOU CAN DO THIS! Something I found that really helped me get far into labour before I started using the gas was hypnobirthing, loved that soothing voice in my ear!
Thanks for the encouragement, Sarah! Sorry to hear about your spinal injury! Out of sheer curiosity – if you hadn’t had a spinal injury, would you have considered the epidural?
What did your research reveal about the Vitamin K shot? Did you decide to inject your newborn with it and did you request a preservative free shot? Thanks
Hi Tamara, great question! The research I did on the Vitamin K shot convinced me that it would be more effective given as an injection than the oral regimen. We didn’t request a preservative-free shot. Thanks!
I just read your part 1 and this post too. We are definitely in the same camp! I am also writing a birth plan, but have felt annoyed at the many people who have the mindset that “you can’t predict it, so why bother writing one?” I am doing hypnobabies. The entire study tells you that it is YOUR birth and all decisions are yours. You can actually refuse anything the hospital tries to push on you. So why wouldn’t you want to go into it prepared?
Your preferences are identical to mine, including no IV and not even a saline lock. I also want to eat/drink throughout labor and labor/deliver in any position I feel comfortable in. The only thing I’m going to add is that they absolutely do not ask me about pain meds & do not ask me about “pain” or to rate my pain. My focus is not on pain, so I don’t want to be reminded of it!
I am excited to hear how your birth goes! I hope the last few weeks treat you well!
Thanks for the encouraging words, Melissa! I’ve thankfully received a lot of positive feedback on my birth plan, and the fact that I have one. I’ve gotten a couple of “birth plans never work out” comments but I guess I just can’t think that way. Researching my birth preferences gave me knowledge, and knowledge is power. I’m excited to hear how your birth goes as well, as I’m very interested in hypnobabies but didn’t end up going with it. 🙂
Looks great Monica….you are very realistic..and yes it will hurt no denying that. I was very lucky and did not have epidurals with either Steven or Laura and I do not regret one minute of any of it and neither will you. There was no way I was having an epidural either and for the same reasons you have stated. My choice and my opinion. You will do just fine and yes yell 🙂 squeeze the heck out of Chris’s hand …I did with Uncle Don 🙂 And the most rewarding moment is when you are handed that beautiful baby and look down and see those eyes looking back and you and BOOM there is the magical connection that will last a lifetime and beyond:) Love you 🙂
Thank you for the encouraging words, Aunt Cara!
Good luck Monica! Your flexible plan is a lot like mine was and I thankfully was able to stick to mine! Just wanted to let you know I was able to push to 14 days before inducing and he was born on the 14 th day 🙂 good luck with everything and I hope your flexible plan goes off without a hitch!!
Thanks Lyndsey! Good to hear that you were able to go to 14 days. I had heard 10 was the norm in the province but we would be keeping a close eye on things anyway to ensure that we are still in good health if we were to go over my due date. Similar to if my water broke before labour began – I want to avoid induction if possible but I ultimately want to avoid infection or worse complications. Great to hear from you! Hope all is going well :).
Great plan Mon! Very detailed- I’m impressed!! My only suggestion would be to tell them that if you have to have a c-section, that you want the baby to be with you in recovery. It took me over two hours to see and hold owen for the first time. I didn’t make that mistake with Ollie. Love you!
Xoxo
Thanks Kait! I actually do have that in my birth plan but somehow it didn’t make it into my post. Chris will also do skin-to-skin if I’m unable to afterwards.
I think your birth plan is awesome. Also remember while it might be painful the moment you see lil ziggy you will never remember it. It is an awesome experience. Enjoy it. I’m sure you both will be great xox
Thanks Aunt Kathy!