Birth Preferences (not demands, this is not a hostage situation)

We labeled our birth plan 'birth preferences' because we wanted to show respect to our care providers and nurses that would be assisting in the birth of our baby.  I worded ours very carefully, and highlighted the most important parts.  (We highlighted no pain medication and no pitocin, because pitocin a lot of time is standard procedure after delivery.)  We wished to avoid demanding things that were against hospital policy.  For example, I knew that I would have to have constant fetal monitoring and a heparin lock while laboring in the hospital.  (That is unless you show up pushing, whoops!)  Our hospital also stated they required an ultrasound upon admittance, and we were going to decline the information.  (You can decline knowing your own weight if you want to.)  I have had someone argue with me that going along with policies like this is not informed consent.  She was mistaken.  I have been informed, and am consenting.

I WANTED a hospital birth.  I trust the professionals in an emergency, and feel most comfortable at the hospital.  I am not going to go into the hospital demanding a home birth.  I think everyone should know their hospital policies, their providers policies, and standard protocol before choosing where to birth whether they are having a VBAC or not.  

Other things to keep in mind while writing your 'birth preferences'.  

• Try to keep it to one page
• Go over your preferences with your care provider and make sure they have a copy
• Highlight the preferences MOST important to you 

At the end of the page, we also said "If changes need to be made, we prefer to give verbal consent."  I wanted the hospital staff to know that we weren't opposed to changing the birth plan, if a true emergency did arise, but that we just wanted to be a part of that decision.

Here is a google document link of the outline we used to write our birth preferences that you can also just print out and check what you want.  Birth Options and Preferences

Our Birth Preferences

• I would like to wear my own clothes
• Access to fluids and snacks
• Free mobility
• Access to birth tub/shower
• Access to birth ball
• Dim lighting and music allowed
• Heparin Lock okay
• Limited vaginal checks
• No IV Fluids
• No pain medications and please do not offer them
• Mother directed pushing
• Pictures and video allowed
• We do not wish to know estimated fetal weight
• No AROM

Requests for after baby is born

• Husband to cut cord
• Baby placed on mothers chest
• Parents to hold baby for first hour
• No Pitocin
• Save placenta
• Delayed cord clamping

Newborn Care

• No formula
• No pacifiers
• Delayed eye treatment, vitamin K shot, and vaccinations
• Parents to give first bath

Cesarean Preferences

• Pictures/video allowed
• Husband present
• Wear my glasses to be able to see
• Lower curtain to see baby
• Husband to hold baby
• Skin to skin (husband will hold baby there)
• Baby to come to recovery room

If changes need to be made, we prefer to give verbal consent

Enjoy!