Regarding Labor and Birth - Sarah Kathryn Jensen
Due Date: 6/27/06
Patient of __________________
Scheduled to deliver at Manning.
6/1/06
To All involved in my labor and delivery:
Thank you for taking the time to read my birth plan. Most important to myself and my husband is that at NO TIME shall we be separated from the baby. I would like to be kept abreast of any changes, and given opportunity to discuss any deviations from this birth plan with my physician and my husband.
Sincerely,
Sarah Jensen
Labor
I would like to be free to walk around during labor.
I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labor.
Monitoring
I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring unless it is required by the condition of my baby.
I do not want an internal monitor unless my baby has shown some sign of distress.
Labor Augmentation/Induction
I do not wish to have the amniotic membrane ruptured artificially unless signs of fetal distress require internal monitoring.
I would prefer to be allowed to try changing position and other natural methods(walking, nipple stimulation) before pitocin is administered.
Anesthesia/Pain Medication
I realize that many pain medications exist — I'll ask for them if I need them.
Cesarean
Unless absolutely necessary, I would like to avoid a Cesarean.
If my primary care provider determines that a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to obtain a second opinion from another physician if time allows.
If a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to be fully informed and to participate in the decision-making process.
I would like Conor Jensen (husband) present at all times if my baby requires a Cesarean delivery.
So I can view the birth, I would like the screen lowered just before delivery of my baby.
If my baby is not in distress, my baby should be given to (blank) immediately after birth.
Episiotomy
I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for the baby's safety.
I am hoping to protect the perineum. I am practicing ahead of time by squatting,doing Kegel exercises, and perineal massage.
I would appreciate guidance in when to push and when to stop pushing so the perineum can stretch.
Delivery
I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth, including squatting.
I would like Conor Jensen (husband) and/or nurses to support me and my legs as necessary during the pushing stage.
I would like a mirror available so I can see my baby's head when it crowns.
I would like to have my baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
Immediately After Delivery
I would prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before it is cut.
I would like to hold my baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
I would like to hold my baby for at least fifteen minutes before (he/she) is photographed, examined, etc.
I would like to have my baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
I plan to keep my baby near me following birth and would appreciate if the evaluation of my baby can be done with my baby on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation.
If my baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, Conor Jensen(husband) or some other person I designate will accompany my baby at all times. I would prefer to hold my baby rather than have (him/her) placed under heat lamps.
I do not want a routine injection of pitocin after the delivery to aid in expelling the placenta.
I would like to see the placenta after it is delivered.
I will be refusing administration of antibiotic eye ointment.
I will be refusing the PKU screening.
I will be refusing administration of the vitamin k shot. If vitamin k is available to be administered orally, we will wait until after the baby has nursed.
I will be refusing any and all vaccinations, including Heb B.
I will be willing to sign any waivers neccessary.
Postpartum
Unless required for health reasons, I do not wish to be separated from my baby.
I would like to have my baby 'room in' and be with me at all times.
Breastfeeding
I plan to breastfeed my baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth.
Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to my baby (including glucose water or plain water).
I do not want my baby to be given a pacifier.
Circumcision
I do not want my baby circumcised.
Photo/Video
I would like to take still photographs during labor and the birth.
I would like to make a videorecording of labor and/or the birth.
Other
My support person is Conor Jensen (husband) and I would like him to be present during labor and delivery.
I would like my other child to be able to visit me and my baby in the hospital.
I would prefer that no students, interns, residents or non-essential personnel be present during my labor or the birth.
26 rubber neckers:
sounds like mine...I am having a home birth, but I still make a birth plan for the chance that I go to the hospital. did you know you can save the placenta, freeze it, and then cut it into pieces and take it when you are suffering from post-partum? I didn't know that until after it was too late with Hayden but I will absolutely be saving it with this baby.
that's awesome! good for you. i know about the placenta, yes. you can also have it dehydrated and dessicated, and put into gelcaps. (a tad more appetizing)
oh that's true, it's just not as cheap! :)
This is a great plan!! We had a similar one with the Bee, and it took almost a freaking act of congress to keep them from putting that eye crap on her.
ayn- you're a brave woman.
chiro- i'm still doing my research on that. i was group b strep positive with violet, so i'm looking to find out if the antibiotics are indicated for that. as far as i know its for stds.
AWESOME!!! Go you. I hope they don't screw you this time. You should get the staff to sign something attesting that they've read this, and will abide by it, unless they're interested in legal action. I would contact a lawyer since they fucked everything up last time.
thanks. i've turned into a she wolf, i swear. birth has just turned into such a "procedure" rather than a natural occurance. i suppose i'm not quite ready for my birthing stool in a hut, but i'm certainly ready to lay the smack down should someone cross me.
Geez that's a long birthing plan. Very sensible and logical though and I do agree with you on a big portion of it (considering I have no children of my own). I hope they abide by your wishes...
pa- the same thing happened to me, and for no reason at all. you live you learn i guess.
elsa- i don't want to leave much to chance or crazy doctor's whims this time.
Any chance I could get my hands (tastebuds) on some of that yummy placenta? I hear it increases endurance during things such as running and I have to run faster than Connor in the Shamrock Shuffle. (J/K) I've never heard of placenta consumption before. Interesting indeed. I always seem to learn new things from you.
On a more serious note, what are the advantages/reasons for saving the placenta for later use?
eric- unfortunately my placenta will not be available for consumption for a few months after the shamrock shuffle. as to the serious note: the placenta is commonly eaten in some cultures, as well as by many mammals. it is very rich in b6, which fights depression. most women who do eat it, do it because it reputedly fends of postpartum depression. some people just take it home and plant a tree over it.
Wowee. My sister is due July 3rd (with her first) so I think I will show her this list. =) Any more advice for the first time mommy?
your sister can get this list (or something similar) at babycenter.com. tell her to search birthing plan. i just made mine too! :)
i'm with amy on the placenta thing. could not do it!
Thanks for explination Sarah. Hope the wisecracking didn't offend anyone. To those unfamiliar with it, the concept seems pretty far-out.
brat- this birth plan is a bit...unconventional. as far as advice goes, i can only say that i wish someone had told me to RELAX. i got a little too uptight in the early days. go figure, right? i'm due july 7th. i was apparantly a bit off in my calculations. oops!
skater- i think i could do it, (and may, considering the nasty bout with ppd i had) but i could ONLY do it in pill form. no placenta chunks, please.
pagirly- indeed. we'll be there the first and probably second week in April.
eric- i don't think anyone would be offended at the suggestion that eating your own placenta is a bit odd. or a lot odd.
Thank you!!! =) I'll send her the website info and tell her to relax. :D Do we get to see you at the Shamrock Shuffle??? =) HUH HUH DO WE?!?!?!
Your birth plan sounds fantastic! I've just got one question - why no vitamin K? There must be some reason that I've never heard of and I'd be interested to know what it is before I make those decisions!
bratzky- of course silly.
mermaid- my birth plan is based on the belief that babies are born "right" and trying to make the birth as gentle as possible. i don't believe they need intermuscular injections hours after birth. vitamin k is given to increase the clotting factor on the off chance the baby has a hemorrage. i'm still up in the air on the oral (it is sometimes available) simply because it's not painful. as far as i can tell it is not damaging in the way that a vaccine is, but it is still a foreign substance introduced into a pure being. i'm still researching it.
Did you mention no spinal taps in there? That's my only request. I don't think I could deal with that again.
oh yes. no spinal taps by egotistical bully neonatalogists without my permission.
Wow--you've done your homework!
I hope you can get away with the last part!
I gave birth twice in an Army training hospital--where my husband was a resident as well. So not only were the OB residents there, but his pals from ENT kept stopping by too!!
I used to be somewhat shy/modest but after it feels like the world saw me give birth--and anyone who missed it came by the second time--I don't get embarrassed too easily anymore!
i'm not too set on that one. it may go in the 2nd draft. i don't really care about anyone watching, i just don't want more people to fight with. actually the guy who stitched me up last time was an intern, and he was a doll. very sweet bedside manner. he was quite fascinated that i was watching him stitch in the mirror that was still there from the birth.
Good for you, SV! Don't let 'em push you around. I was going to make a comment about my imaginary childbirth but it doesn't really seem appropriate...so I won't.
pants! i trust you to be brash and inappropriate!
Please see comment on the above post.
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