Kole and I decided to try to teach ourselves. We got a Bradley Class Workbook (I recommend a used one if you can't attend the classes because some of the answers are not obvious to soon-to-be new parents. At least they weren't to us, and my husband is a registered nurse!) We would hold our own classes weekly and complete the daily homework including physical exercises, nutrition tracking, relaxation technique practice, and testing out laboring positions. We also both read the book Husband-Coached Childbirth by Dr. Robert A. Bradley.
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| The Bradley Method: Husband Coached Childbirth by Dr. Robert A. Bradley |
As the time to meet our baby got closer, it seemed like my list of things needing to get done (finish plans for my sub at school, stock up on toilet paper, become members of our church, etc.) kept getting longer. Somehow writing our birth plan kept getting dropped to the bottom of the list. (It was probably the fact that I was certain as a first time mom my baby would be late and that I was hoping for a December birthday because the November birthstone is the closest to poop-brown there is. Oh well. I'll wear that crap colored stone with pride.) Finally, I wrote our birth plan. It wasn't until 4 AM after three and a half hours of labor, but it was done before we left for the hospital. I swear the ink was dry by the time we got there.
I stole from many other sources in writing our plan, but I am returning the favor by posting ours so you can steal, too. (Most people want to know if everything went according to plan. No, no it didn't, but thanks for pointing that out. I was Strep B positive. I didn't know this until 17 hours into labor. Being Strep B positive meant my doctor, who I adored, would not deliver the baby without me having an antibiotic. I decided if God can perform miracles, he could make sure that our baby was protected for any damage the antibiotic might so to his fragile little system. The other thing that went off script was how long the cord stayed attached. We were hoping to leave it attached for an hour or at least until it stopped pulsating, but the cord was wrapped tightly around D's neck. Our doc informed us of the situation and we quickly told her to cut the cord and save our baby. D was purple and didn't cry at first, but we are so thankful that that was the extent of the complications.) We were really happy with our plan and don't think we'll make any revisions if we are blessed with more children in the future.
Without further adieu, may I present our birth plan:
Our Birth Plan
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us have a natural, unmedicated, childbirth insofar as that is safe and viable for mom and baby.
Mom plans to have a medication-free labor. Please do not offer her an epidural. She does not want any drugs to speed along labor (i.e. Pitocin). If there is an issue, and you believe these medications are necessary, please discuss it with dad.
Upon arrival, we request:
- Externally monitoring the baby as seldom as possible.
- Please use the wireless monitor if available for freedom of movement.
- Internal exams done extremely infrequently and only when absolutely necessary by the same person.
- We’d like to discuss antibiotic use during labor before anything is done and will likely decline, fully understanding the risks.
- No IV.
- If an iV is absolutely necessary, please refrain from injecting anything else through the IV without consulting mom and dad
If mother and baby are doing well, we prefer to:
- Avoid artificial induction at all times, including waiting 12 hours+ if water breaks at onset of labor, going past estimated due date, and not breaking the bag of waters.
- Use natural induction techniques if necessary to induce or speed up labor.
- Use the lowest dose of Pitocin possible if artificial induction is absolutely necessary.
- Have an undefined, unhurried time to labor – even if in a latent phase/dilation not increasing.
- Maintaining mobility and freedom of position (including walking, dancing, use of ball, squatting)
General labor procedures:
- Please do not suggest medication.
- Allow mom to eat and drink.
- We would like much freedom to move about, try many positions and use the shower and tub to ease pain.
During delivery we would prefer:
- To avoid an episiotomy UNLESS mom risks a clitoral or urethral tear.
- Pressure episiotomy without medication if necessary.
- To be free of time limits on pushing, to try many positions.
- Perineal support with warm washcloth; naturally slow down pushing to allow perineum to stretch.
- No vacuum, forceps or pulling of the baby
Post-Birth we would like to:
- Hold the baby immediately after birth on stomach with blanket; breastfeed AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
- Wait until the umbilical cord stops pulsing (mostly) before it is cut if possible (at least 30 minutes….hopefully an hour) Dad will cut the cord.
- Deliver the placenta unassisted and avoid Pitocin after birth.
- Postpone newborn procedures until ONE HOUR after birth.
- We choose to waive the eye ointment.
- No Hep B vaccine necessary!
- No vitamin K shot.
- No vaccines
- Drink orange juice to replace fluids and raise blood sugar and potassium levels.
- Have the first bath and all newborn procedures in the room and delay these to allow for bonding.
- If impossible, dad should be with the baby at all times
- We are bringing our own soap for baby’s bath.
- Have 24-hour rooming-in with the baby.
- Please avoid all artificial nipples (bottles, pacifiers) at all times.
- Mom would like a visit from a lactation consultant as soon as possible.
If a Cesarean Section is needed, I would prefer:
- Husband present at all times.
- To be conscious.
- To have immediate contact with the baby if he/she is in good health.
Sick Baby:
- Breast feeding as soon as possible/Breast milk through tube if feeding tube is necessary
- Unlimited visitation for parents
- If the baby is transported to another facility, move us as soon as possible
Environment — we would like:
- To bring music.
- Have the lights dimmed.
- Our own camera in delivery room.
- To have the husband and wife together at all times; no other family/visitors present at birth.
Thank you for taking the time to help us achieve a natural childbirth for our first baby! We know we are in great hands!
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