We just finished reading Natural Hospital Birth: The Best of Both Worlds and learned some great info and picked up some tips on how to write a birth plan that will be read and followed by hospital staff. So, in case you're wondering... here's our birth plan!!
Requests for the birth of Annabelle Edwards
*We wish to labor and deliver as naturally as possible. Thank you for your support in this adventure!
*We prefer that pain management be through use of: meditation, massage, position changes, shower, and other alternatives to medication - Please do not offer pain medication - we know it is available and will request it, if necessary.
*We prefer that a labor plateau, should one occur, be treated through the use of: time, relaxation, food/drink, nipple stimulation, position change, and other alternatives to medication.
*We would like the freedom to change positions during labor and delivery, using intermittent fetal monitoring, if safe.
*Please use massage and warm compresses to avoid a tear and no episiotomy.
After birth
As long as we are safe after delivery, PLEASE -
*Allow for immediate skin to skin.
*Allow umbilical cord to remain intact for at least 2 minutes.
*Wait to apply eye ointment until after initial skin to skin and breastfeeding has taken place.
Thank you so much for supporting us through this incredible experience!
And that.is.it. Our OB was great with everything except the massage to prevent tearing as she said that massage can actually inflame the area more and can actually cause a tear to happen (which made me really mad because I was massaged the hell out of with Emmaline's delivery and had a bad tear that took for.freakin.ever to heal). She said that she prefers to have mama stay as calm as possible during crowning and have the head come out nice and slow in order to give the area a chance to naturally stretch as much as possible. She said she won't do an episiotomy either way. I think I love her ; )
So, there you go! If anyone has any questions about our plan or what we learned by reading the book, just ask!!
Did anyone else go into their second birthing experience with similar hopes? Any advice??
Peyton's labor/delivery was with out medication and a midwife... She used lots of massage, the tub, shower, moving, rocking, anything I wanted to get comfortable. 2 hours after active labor, less than 10 minutes of pushing, Peyton arrived HUGE at almost 8lbs and 21.5inches and I had not a single tear. I had healed in less than 24 hours, was allowed immediate skin to skin and instant nursing... we actually took longer to get out of the labor room because she nursed so well the first time, almost 30 minutes of pure bliss and pride as I watched my little princess learn all about life and mama ;) You'll do amazing Amanda, I hope your OB works with you and you get the most of your wishes you possibly can. You can do it!!! You're a strong mama!!!
ReplyDeleteOh August! I'm so jealous! After all we went through with Emmaline's birth, we're really hoping (and preparing) for this one to be smoother and easier on everyone! Also, side note, you are such a tiny person I cannot believe such a big baby came out of you!! : ) Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your story and for reading!!
ReplyDeleteA doula client of mine is a big fan of that book. I definitely need to add it to my birth book collection.
ReplyDeleteIf any of your readers are interested, here is the link to my natural hospital birth plan....we ended up switching to a homebirth midwife at 35 weeks but writing my birth plan was amazing for me to learn all about common birth interventions.
http://www.ourmessymessylife.com/2011/02/natural-birth-plan-dissected.html
Now I'm off to read your birth story.....