Mother Post Again
Nov. 1st, 2005 10:29 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lls_mutantI should be working on my paper, or failing that, some fics or reviews. But instead, I am procrastinating by typing up my birth plan. If you aren't interested in birthing, skip on by- no fandom or other writing stuff in this post.
Moms and medical type people: is there anything I'm missing? Anything I should include? Anything you can look at me and say "you're absolutely bonkers"? Anything I DON'T need to include? I'm pretty flexible with my birth plan. What it really amounts to is "get my baby here safely." (Heh. I read this one book called "Diary of a Mad Mom-to-be", and the quote was "Amy's birth plan: Short. Painless.") I know I need to show it to Howard, but any other thoughts from people who've been there?
Thanks!
My general thoughts on giving birth and how I want it handled are very, very simple: you are the doctor and nurses. You are the ones who know how to do this. You tell me what to do, and I will do it. IVs, monitoring, oxytocin, Cesarean, episiotomy, forceps… you know best.
As for the more optional aspects:
Drugs: Right now, I am very hesitant to have an epidural. This is simply because having a needle in my back scares me half to death- more than the actual birthing process does (as do catheters). However, ask me in the middle of labor. I have no moral or ethical objections to pain relief, and I suspect my fear will be overcome by pain. What I say in labor is my real answer.
However, the only sort of pain relief I want is an epidural. Please, nothing that plays with my mind- I want to be cognizant for the delivery. (Unless, of course, there is some other medical reason that I need other forms of pain medication.)
General movement: If I have not had an epidural, I would like to be able to move about, if possible.
Delivery position: If at all possible, I'd really like to be able to grab on to something aside from my husband's hand (in order to save his hand). In the videos they showed us, one woman was kind of gripping/clinging to a bar that went over her bed. I'm not sure that that's possible, but if it is, that might be more comfortable for me.
Mirror Use: Please ask us then!
People in the room: Since this is my first, I would prefer that no interns (nursing or doctor) observe this birth. The fewer people, the better. As far as non-medical personnel, the ONLY person I want in the room is my husband, Howard. I would like this to be the case until I am cleaned up and, if the baby needs to be fed right away, until the first feeding is done. The only exception to this is if Howard is not able to be there right away, and then only the person I've brought with me.
My inlaws (and possibly even my own parents) are likely to be sitting outside in the waiting room. On the chance I do need an emergency Cesarean, please do not tell them until afterwards.
The Cord: At this point, Howard is undecided if he wants to cut the cord, and is leaning towards not cutting it. However, please ask him at the appropriate time if he would like to do it.
We are not banking the cord blood. However, we realize that this blood can have great medical use. We are willing to donate this blood in order to help others.
The Unthinkable: In the very small chance that the decision comes up that we must make the choice between my life and the baby's life, my husband and I have decided that, sad as it would be, we would opt to keep me alive.
Postpartum
Weighing, Exams, Etc.: I would like at least one of us there, at least until the baby has been tagged.
Circumcision: As of this point, we have opted not to have our son circumcised. If there is a medical reason for doing so, we are willing to reconsider, but only after discussion.
Feeding: I plan on nursing, and would prefer that the baby is brought to me for all feedings, if possible. I'd prefer this took place as the baby's hunger dictates as opposed to a regular schedule, but I am flexible on this issue, particularly at night.
Rooming In: Assuming a vaginal birth without significant complications, I suspect what I would like is for the baby to be with me during the day, but at night to be taken to the nursery, with the exception of when he needs to be fed.
Length of Hospital Stay: Whatever is normal, advised, and covered by insurance.
Moms and medical type people: is there anything I'm missing? Anything I should include? Anything you can look at me and say "you're absolutely bonkers"? Anything I DON'T need to include? I'm pretty flexible with my birth plan. What it really amounts to is "get my baby here safely." (Heh. I read this one book called "Diary of a Mad Mom-to-be", and the quote was "Amy's birth plan: Short. Painless.") I know I need to show it to Howard, but any other thoughts from people who've been there?
Thanks!
My general thoughts on giving birth and how I want it handled are very, very simple: you are the doctor and nurses. You are the ones who know how to do this. You tell me what to do, and I will do it. IVs, monitoring, oxytocin, Cesarean, episiotomy, forceps… you know best.
As for the more optional aspects:
Drugs: Right now, I am very hesitant to have an epidural. This is simply because having a needle in my back scares me half to death- more than the actual birthing process does (as do catheters). However, ask me in the middle of labor. I have no moral or ethical objections to pain relief, and I suspect my fear will be overcome by pain. What I say in labor is my real answer.
However, the only sort of pain relief I want is an epidural. Please, nothing that plays with my mind- I want to be cognizant for the delivery. (Unless, of course, there is some other medical reason that I need other forms of pain medication.)
General movement: If I have not had an epidural, I would like to be able to move about, if possible.
Delivery position: If at all possible, I'd really like to be able to grab on to something aside from my husband's hand (in order to save his hand). In the videos they showed us, one woman was kind of gripping/clinging to a bar that went over her bed. I'm not sure that that's possible, but if it is, that might be more comfortable for me.
Mirror Use: Please ask us then!
People in the room: Since this is my first, I would prefer that no interns (nursing or doctor) observe this birth. The fewer people, the better. As far as non-medical personnel, the ONLY person I want in the room is my husband, Howard. I would like this to be the case until I am cleaned up and, if the baby needs to be fed right away, until the first feeding is done. The only exception to this is if Howard is not able to be there right away, and then only the person I've brought with me.
My inlaws (and possibly even my own parents) are likely to be sitting outside in the waiting room. On the chance I do need an emergency Cesarean, please do not tell them until afterwards.
The Cord: At this point, Howard is undecided if he wants to cut the cord, and is leaning towards not cutting it. However, please ask him at the appropriate time if he would like to do it.
We are not banking the cord blood. However, we realize that this blood can have great medical use. We are willing to donate this blood in order to help others.
The Unthinkable: In the very small chance that the decision comes up that we must make the choice between my life and the baby's life, my husband and I have decided that, sad as it would be, we would opt to keep me alive.
Postpartum
Weighing, Exams, Etc.: I would like at least one of us there, at least until the baby has been tagged.
Circumcision: As of this point, we have opted not to have our son circumcised. If there is a medical reason for doing so, we are willing to reconsider, but only after discussion.
Feeding: I plan on nursing, and would prefer that the baby is brought to me for all feedings, if possible. I'd prefer this took place as the baby's hunger dictates as opposed to a regular schedule, but I am flexible on this issue, particularly at night.
Rooming In: Assuming a vaginal birth without significant complications, I suspect what I would like is for the baby to be with me during the day, but at night to be taken to the nursery, with the exception of when he needs to be fed.
Length of Hospital Stay: Whatever is normal, advised, and covered by insurance.
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no subject
Date: 2005-11-01 07:44 pm (UTC)Nice to know how to deal with teeth. I honestly have no positive idea what I'll do once he gets that old, but I like to pretend I do :)
And LOL! The mirror is actually not for Howard, but for me. I think I might like to see a bit- at least when the baby's head is crowning. And that's also why I'm telling them "ask." It's something that we may or may not want... and I'm happy to go with whatever seems to work at that point in time!