Birth Plan

We understand that certain emergency or other medical circumstances may not allow for the accommodation of the goals listed below, however we appreciate your consideration of them in all your decision making.

Home Labor Goals

• We would like to labor at home as long as possible before going to the hospital.

Hospital Labor Goals

• We plan to have present at the birth and or labor: Dallas Boyce, Doula
  
• We ask that all other visitors and unnecessary staff be turned away until we (Dallas and Olivia Boyce) have had time alone with our new baby.
• There will be no minimise internal examinations/avoid internal examinations unless deemed necessary.
  
• Please do not break my waters.
  
• I will not have an IV/Heplock administered unless/until deemed medically necessary
  
• I will not have a catheter unless determined to be required for another procedure to facilitate delivery.
• The birth environment is important to us. We ask that lights be kept dim, noise be kept to a minimum, and the door be kept closed for privacy.
• We will bring our own music.
• I will wear my own clothing, although the staff may offer me a hospital gown.
• I will be up out of bed as much as possible during labor, depending on my needs. And in whatever position I find comfortable. Please encourage me to stay off my back!

Birth Goals

• We are attempting to have a natural, un-medicated birth without unnecessary medical or chemical intervention.
• We would like to have a water birth if possible, and would appreciate your support in encouraging me to give birth underwater.
  
• Except in the case of an emergency, we ask that we be given the opportunity to accept or refuse any procedure or medication.
• We request that the least invasive or restricting versions of procedures be used.

Doctor

• Ideally, if all goes smoothly, I hope that the doctor and nursewho attend me in labor will give helpful suggestions, but allow my body to give birth the way it is means to.
  

Induction (if necessary)

• Will only be considered under very dire circumstances or 41 + weeks gestation
  
• We will try non-chemical induction methods first: walking, breast stimulation, sexual intercourse.

Pain Management Goals

• We plan to handle pain with relaxation, aromatherapy, massage and water (shower or tub).
• Please do not offer chemical pain relief.

Delivery Goals

• I will be pushing at my own pace (Mother-Directed Pushing).
• I will not have an episiotomy. I would first like to try perineal massage, support and warm compresses.
• If labor or delivery seems stalled, we would like the opportunity to try different positions (hands and knees, squatting, birth stools, etc.). Please offer suggestions.
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• I would like to see/feel the baby' head as it crowns, the father will have a hand mirror available to do this.
  
• Either I or the father would like to catch the baby depending on the position I'm in
  
• Please do not announce the baby's sex as I would like to find out for myself/would like for my husband to find out.
  
• I would like to have the baby placed on the my chest with skin-to-skin contact immediately after the birth and for the first 1 to 2 hours following the birth.
• I would like to try to have the baby breastfeed as soon as possible.
• I would like the staff to help me change position if necessary to facilitate breastfeeding.
• I would like a fully natural (psychological) third stage, and to NOT clamp or cut the umbilical cord. I want to allow the placenta to turn up in it's own time. Please do not administer any drugs unless you feel there is a real need. I would appreciate your advice to help me deliver the placenta naturally. ***Please do not pull on the cord or use fundal pressure unless there is a specific indication to do so, as I have read that this is contra-indicated in drug-free third stages.***

Photography

• We would like the father and the doula to be allowed to take photos or video tape parts of the labor and birth.

Umbilical Cord

• Please do not clamp or cut the umbilical cord

Placenta

• I would like to keep the placenta attached to the baby
• We will have a bowl specifically for the placenta
  

Newborn Care Goals

• Please do not separate the baby from the mother for routine procedures until after the initial bonding/breastfeeding
• Please do not administer eye drops to my baby
  
• Please do not administer prophylactic Vitamin K after birth. If the birth is traumatic for the baby or there is some other risk factor for HDN, I will be happy to discuss this with the midwife and allow Vitamin K if we both decide it is appropriate.
• Please do not administer Hepatitis B.
  
• We request that the baby only be bathed with warm water. No soap.

In the event our baby is unwell
•Any procedures must be explained in full and informed, written consent must be obtained before any intervention is performed.
•A parent will remain with the baby at all times - no exceptions.
•The baby will only be fed breast milk. Absolutely no formula feeding or dummy without our written consent. We will use a donor for EBM if none is available and our baby requires more than colostrum until my milk comes in.
•Even if our baby is premature, there will be no period in the nursery. Rooming in will be immediate and continuous unless there is a genuine problem with the baby and informed, written consent is obtained from the parents for treatment of the baby.
•Kangaroo care and as much skin to skin contact with parents as possible while our baby is unwell.

Footprints

• We would like to have a set of footprints stamped into our scrapbook when footprints are done.

Circumcision (if boy)

• We will not be circumcising

Cesarean Section (if necessary)

• The mother would like to be conscious
• The father and support person will remain with the mother at all times
• We would like to photograph or film the operation as the baby comes out
  
• The mother will hold the baby while the incision is being closed and has the assistance of the father if required. One arm must be left free.
  
• The baby will be placed straight on the mother’s skin, unwashed. A blanket can go over both of them. Apgar and well baby checks will only be done by observation while the baby is on the mother.
• The baby will breastfeed immediately or as soon as possible afterward in the recovery room.
• There will be no period in the nursery. Rooming in will be immediate and continuous. Parents and baby will be in the recovery room after delivery.
• A lotus birth is required. We can explain this to any staff who are curious but it is not optional for us. We will supply the bag to contain the placenta with us once out of theatre. In theatre an appropriately sized dish is fine. *neither clamp nor cut the umbilical cord*
• There will be no unnecessary speaking please, this is a birth for us, not an everyday working event.
• There will be no separation of mother and baby unless one or other is genuinely seriously ill or unconscious.
• If the mother is ill the baby will be carried in kangaroo care style by the father only. There will be no use of plastic boxes with wheels.

Birth Recovery Goals

• We prefer to have a private room, if available, and that the father and baby be allowed to room-in.
• We prefer that our stay at the hospital be as short as possible and that the mother may fully recover at home.

Breastfeeding Goals

• If not rooming-in, we would like the baby brought to the mother to meet it's on-demand feeding needs.
• We would like to establish breastfeeding. Please do not offer any bottles or soothers to the baby without parents' notification of a medical need.

We will be having postpartum care done by our midwife.

Thank you for taking the time to help us achieve a natural childbirth for our first baby!