Our Birth Plan
I can’t believe I’m already that far into my pregnancy. Time is flying by (despite the confinement for the coronavirus which is a bit tough), and at the same time, it’s going by so slow… We are so impatient to meet baby, and be able to hold him/her!
Making or having a birth plan isn’t an obligation in France, and not a lot of people actually do it over here, but my culture/lifestyle being quite different, it was very important for me to make one as the way labor and birth usually go in our country, is not necessarily what we would have gone for. We thought we would make one to be on the safer side. To be honest, having a baby and becoming a mom has been my life goal since the day I was born, so I’ve always known what I wanted, just not the nitty gritty details of it.
I know that natural births are what most people talk about these days, and what “nature intended”, but to be quite honest, as much as I respect and find it wonderful, I just know that this isn’t (completely) for me. I’ve been suffering mentally and physically enough for a lifetime, when it comes to my reproductive system due to my endometriosis. I believe that as long as it doesn’t put our child in danger, if I can get some of my pain eased, I will be using that option without a doubt.
We of course, have decided to use natural or less invasive methods as well, such as showers, breathing exercises, TENS machine, birthing ball, etc.
Most importantly, we were thinking of baby while making our birth plan; for example, we knew that we wanted to do something with the placenta as it’s extremely beneficial for baby (and the mom), we just didn't know what exactly. Now that all of this has been decided, I thought that letting you know what we’ve decided could help you see different options. However, I do not recommend you use our birth plan as it’s something very personal, depending on your beliefs, your body’s and baby’s needs (also don’t forget to see if your partner is ok if you take a decision such as, not getting recommended medication for baby).
Birth Plan
Labor wishes
Keep me informed on every medical decision and procedure, and leave me the choice when possible (e.g. episiotomy, water breaking etc.).
We would like to meet the obstetrician prior to starting labor.
I would like a solitary room.
I would like to be able to move about freely and try different positions to ease the pain.
I am considering having an epidural/pain medication, but will decide during birth.
To manage the pain prior epidural, I would like to be able to use mobility, TENS machine, warm showers and a birthing ball.
Birth wishes
I would like a mirror available to view the birth.
Do not vacuum or forceps on our baby unless it is necessary to save our child’s life.
I would like to touch my baby’s head as baby crowns.
If confident, I would like to be able to catch our child.
Allow natural placenta birthing.
Do not clamp the cord until after I have birthed the placenta and the cord has stopped pulsing.
Postpartum wishes
Please immediately lay the baby on my chest to start skin to skin - unless unable to do so for the life of the baby.
Baby will start breastfeeding right away.
Baby’s checks performed in my arms if possible.
I want all procedures and medications explained to me and the choice to accept or refuse them before they are carried out by the medical team.
I would like to have my husband cut the cord if possible.
Baby will not be given a bath, only blood will be gently wiped away and vernix will be allowed to absorb into baby's skin naturally.
I plan to exclusively breastfeed our baby - no water nor formula will be given.
I’d like additional information and support to help me learn breastfeeding exclusively.
Our baby will not be given a pacifier.
Baby will not be swaddled, at any point.
Baby will stay in the room with us the entire time until we leave the maternity unless a life threatening condition occurs.
In case of emergency
My husband will be present for the birth in case of Cesarean.
If the baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, I’d like my husband to accompany our child.
If NICU is required, I will pump colostrum - no formula will be given.
My mother will make any medical decision if I’m unable to.
I will give you more information on our big decisions such as, ‘why we decided to not give a pacifier’, or ‘why baby will exclusively be breastfed’, or even ‘why we don’t want baby to be given a bath’, in our upcoming posts.
Don’t forget that our decisions concerning our child may not be the right ones for you, and you might think differently or want and need something other than ours. I only decided to share our birth plan with you to give you more ideas of what options you have, and what we have decided to go ahead with.