My Birth Plan
This is the birth plan I created for my third child, Timothy, due May 20th, 2012.
I've
spent a lot of time researching and reading about home births and other
womens home birth experiences. I've put a lot of thought into how I
envision and would like mine to play out. I of course understand that
not all things go according to plan and I am ok with that. I'm ready to
go with the flow and just do what feels right for me and works in the
moment. This is just a helpful guideline for myself and those attending
Timothy's birth. Also, because I'm such a planner and organizer, having
my birth plan written up makes me feel more prepared and confident for
the big day.
I am
free to have my home birth experience once I reach 37 weeks. If I go
into labor before then and it can not be stopped, I will be having a
hospital birth as this is the safest option for myself and Timothy
before 37 weeks. If this happens, my plan is to have as natural a
hospital birth as possible.
Birth companions and their roles:
*Midwifes, Sam, Mom, kids, and my friend (if able to make it). Roles subject to change as I see fit.
-Midwifes
to give me space and not hover, but offer up encouragement and advice
if they see I'm needing it (such as remember to breathe deeply or this
position might feel good at this time, etc.). Also offer others advice
on how best to offer me comfort. They are to be the quiet overseers of
the whole shabang and make sure things stay safe through their knowledge
and expertise. I will look towards them for reassurance that everything
is ok and progressing normally and trust them to let me know if
something needs to change or be done differently for safety reasons.
-Sam
is put in primary charge of my comfort, both physically and
emotionally. He is to help in pain relief techniques such as cold pack
and massage. I'm not to be touched by anyone other than Sam as I'm not
big on touching when in pain (it actually makes me mad!) and I'm not
entirely sure if I'll even be able to stand having Sam touch me! He's to
listen to me and take notice if I appear to become stressed or fearful
and give me encouragement and reassurance as well as clue the midwifes
in that I might need some of their reassurance that everything is indeed
going well.
-Mother
to focus on photos (very important!) and supervising, entertaining, and
reassuring kids to keep atmosphere as mellow as possible. Also offering
and preparing my snacks and drinks to keep me hydrated and my energy
up.
-If
friend is able to make it: help supervising, entertaining, and
reassuring kids to keep atmosphere as mellow as possible. Also offer a
friendly face and encouraging/friendly chit-chat to help pass time.
-Kids
are free to go about their day. Can be out playing in the yard or
elsewhere while I labor to keep them busy and entertained until delivery
time. If night time, allow them to sleep until I want them woken up.
I'd like them to witness the birth of their brother if they so wish.
Laboring:
-Eat
and drink at will during labor: Fruit smoothies, melon, popsicles,
cheese and crackers, iced Gatorade....just a few things I wish to have
on hand.
-Move
around at will: I want to move around and try different laboring
positions to help ion pain management and the progression of labor.
-Labor
outside predominately if weather is appropriate and during the day. I
would love to breathe in fresh air and feel the sunshine on my skin. If
labor is at night, I'm definitely not ruling out throwing on a robe and
stepping outside for some fresh air and change of atmosphere.
-Water
breaks naturally. My water broke on it's own with Molly and I thought
it was the coolest sensation ever. I'd like that again.
Natural pain relief techniques:
*I plan to have my labor and birth drug free and as natural an experience as possible.
-Constant
movement. Walking, rocking, hip swaying. Whatever feels right at the
time. Movement will help relieve pain and help baby descend.
-Massage.
Massages can be particularly helpful in easing pain during labor. Neck,
shoulders, back, hips, belly, feet....anywhere that feels good to me at
the time.
-Cold/hot
therapy. Cold pack to help relieve pain when wanted. A cool washcloth
or eating ice chips to cool me down if I feel too warm. A heating pad to
help with muscle tension when wanted.
-Calm
breathing. Remember to take calm, deep breaths to help relax,
especially during a contraction. Breathe through a contraction to help
it pass rather than tense up and hold breath.
-Fresh
air and sunshine. I believe being able to breathe in fresh air and feel
the sunshine on my skin will help keep my mood positive. Hopefully the
weather will be nice!
-Changing
positions. Midwife to offer labor positions as we go along. I know
there are different positions that will provide comfort/relief during
the different stages of labor and will help keep things progressing.
Atmosphere:
*Goes
hand in hand with pain relief techniques as having the right atmosphere
can help keep you calm and in the right mood/mind set.
-Music.
I've made my own play list on YouTube which includes Jack Johnson,
Avett Brothers, Sean Hayes, Jason Mraz, and MANY others. As of right now
it consists of 60 songs and is about 3 hours 45 minutes long. I hope to
have this playing in the house as well as have speakers set up in the
living room windows if I am able to labor outside. I believe being able
to listen to music I like will give me something to focus on, sing to,
move to, etc and will keep my mood light and relaxed. Feel free to check
it out and listen by clicking this link: Keep Me Mellow
-Aromatherapy.
I have my absolute favorite candle ready to burn. It's Root Beer and
smells exactly like the real thing. I love it. Whenever I smell it my
mood is instantly lifted and I hope it does the same for me when in
labor.
-Lighting.
Even on a sunny day, the inside of my house, particularly the living
room (where I plan to have my birthing tub) is pretty dim. This works
well for me as I'd like the lights to be dim inside to give a calm and
relaxing atmosphere. Not too dim for photos though!
Delivery:
-Having
Timothy's birth in the birthing tub is my first choice. I would love a
water birth. However, I will have the bed set up as well so I am free to
change my mind at any time and birth there if I so wish.
-I would like Sam to "catch" Timothy.
-No
cord clamping or cutting until it is done pulsating. If Sam wants to
cut the cord then he may do so. Or maybe Molly and Anthony have a desire
to do it?
-I'm
on the fence with this one, but I think I might want to get out of the
tub for the third stage of labor (delivery of placenta) and move to the
bed for this part. However, it's probably not a decision that will be
made until I'm in that moment and will do what feels most comfortable
for me.
-I
do not wish to keep the placenta. I know there are many women whom like
to keep it to plant under a tree, etc. Not I. I would like it checked
over to see
if we can find the cause for all my first and second trimester bleeding
though.
Aftercare:
-I
would like to try to breastfeed as soon as possible. I was never able
to breastfeed with Anthony and did only for a week with Molly. This time
I am hellbent on it and believe trying as soon as possible is very beneficial.
-Vitamin k shot is to be administered to Timothy.
-Antibiotic eye ointment to be given to Timothy.
-Midwife to weigh, observe, and do any newborn screening.
-Timothy's NB feet prints to be done. This is especially important to me to remember as Timothy's left foot print will eventually take it's place as a tattoo above Anthony's on my left forearm.
-After birth and when finally cleaned up and settled in bed, I want homemade mac and cheese as my meal.
-I'm to be left to rest and bond with Timothy. Breastfeeding is my #1 priority and I need full support with this.
Visitors:
-No visitors for at least 24 hours other than who was at the birth.
-After
24 hours, visitors are welcome at my discretion and visiting time is to
be kept minimal. Bonus points to anyone who brings a casserole or some
other type of snack with them!
Rebecca Hauck
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Home Birth Supplies List and Setup Info
For
those that might be interested, I wanted to do a post about what is
needed for my home birth. Maybe this will be helpful for others!
What my Midwife will bring:
(Taken off of my Midwife's site: Highland Midwife Birth Services) • 150 gallon birth tub (delivered at 37 weeks)
• Adapter for attaching hose to a sink
• Clamps to hold towels in place on the sides of the birth tub
What I am responsible for:
(Taken off of my Midwife's site: Highland Midwife Birth Services)
**First and foremost, the birth kit! I'll be purchasing this really soon: Birth Kit. **
General supplies:
*
Plastic mattress cover: this can be a waterproof mattress cover, old
shower curtain, or other large sheet of plastic. You may need to duct
tape the edges of the plastic so it doesn’t slide around
* 2 sets of old sheets or ones that you don’t mind getting bloody
* Several large bath-size towels and smaller hand towels that you don’t mind getting bloody
* Several (at least 4) cotton receiving blankets....if they are new, please wash them first
* 1 pillowcase (to keep our heating pad clean)
* 2 large plastic garbage sacks (no holes) for laundry and garbage, smaller ones for pillows
* 2 large cookie sheets (to hold our instruments)
* Hydrogen Peroxide to take blood out of sheets
*
1 large heating pad (to heat baby blankets and keep newborn warm—we do
have one of these but prefer to use yours if you have one)
*
Portable electric heater (to heat the room quickly when birth is
approaching) or an easily adjustable thermostat.....warm babies are
happy babies!
Preparing the bed:
Lay
the plastic sheeting down first being sure to let the edge hang down
over your mattress and box springs. You may have to duct tape the edges
in place. Then lay a towel or mattress cover where mom will be. Then put
on a set of clean sheets. The towel or mattress cover helps keep mom
from slipping all over and from feeling so sticky and sweaty. Some
people like to layer 2-3 layers of plastic and new sheets so that one
layer can easily be removed when dirty. However, this uses a lot of
plastic and it is pretty easy to take off dirty sheets and put on clean
ones over one layer of plastic. Have lots of pillows. Cover them with drawstring garbage bags and then the pillowcase; they often get a bit dirty during birth.
Birth tub supplies:
* 1 new, clean garden hose
* 1 jug of bleach
* 5 pounds of sea salt
* Plastic sheet for under the birth tub, to keep any water dripping from mom’s body from getting on the floor
* Lots of towels plus a bathmat if desired
* 2 big pots to heat additional water and/or connection to hot water tank
* Floating thermometer (like in a hot tub - optional)
* Net for scooping out solid materials (like the green nets used in fish tanks, or a wire screen kitchen strainer)
Preparing the tub in the weeks before labor:
Decide
where you want the tub and check the nearest sink for a detachable
aerator, the type of connector our adaptor fits. Thoroughly clean and
scrub the tub as you would a cooking pot, using only non-scratchy
materials. Rinse completely and let drain well. Prepare a 20% bleach
solution (1 cup bleach to 4 cups water); pour it down the sides of the
tub, slosh it around the bottom and let sit 20 minutes. At the same
time, pour a 20% solution down your garden hose (this can go into the
tub) and let the end that will go in the tub during labor soak in the
bottom of the tub for the 20 minutes. If using the towel clamps and a
birth ball, those should also be thrown in the tub and rolled around so
that the bleach comes in contact with all surfaces. Then rinse tub and
dry thoroughly. Rinse hose and then seal the ends to each other.
Everything is now ready for use. Turn the tub upside down on a plastic
sheet (indoors), and store the hose, ball, and adapter underneath it
until needed.
Preparing the tub for labor:
Lay
out the plastic sheeting under the tub. Fill the tub 3/4 to 4/5 full
with water at 99-100 degrees F. You probably need to turn up your water
heater to its highest setting to ensure enough water for your entire
labor. Place a bathmat or towel on the floor where mom will get in and
out so that she doesn’t slip. The tub is most useful during the active
parts of labor, rather than at the very beginning, so you probably won’t
fill it at the first signs of contractions. Covering the top of the tub
with plastic sheeting and a quilt can help insulate the tub between
dips. The two large pots can be used to boil water to bring the
temperature up or if the hot water tank is inadequate.
Laboring in the tub:
Ideally,
the tub is used when it will provide the most pain relief and comfort
without slowing down labor. The pain relieving qualities must be
balanced with the dehydrating and warming effects of the water. The
water must be between 99-101 degrees so the baby does not get cold after
birth. We may want you to alternate your tub time with periods of
walking or resting on land. Also, if your water breaks early in labor,
we may ask for you to wait to get into the tub until labor is well
established. We add sea salt to the water to provide mild antibacterial
action.
Clean-up:
Use
a hose to siphon the water into your yard or bathtub drain. Rinse the
sides of tub with clean water as you drain for ease in cleaning. Remove
any solid material that will not go up the hose with a scoop and finish
siphoning. When empty, take the tub outside and scrub and disinfect as
you did to prepare the tub, then turn it upside down so it stays clean
until it comes back to us. We recommend that you also disinfect the
birth ball and the hose you used to drain the tub.
My natural pain management supplies:
* Root beer candle for my aromatherapy
* Ice pack and washcloth for cooling
* Heating pad to help with muscle tension
* Computer with "Keep Me Mellow" play list to be played during labor and delivery
Food and drink:
(For me as well as midwifes and birth attendants)
* Me: Some foods I think I may want during labor....fruit and yogurt to make smoothies, popsicles, melon, cheese and crackers, Gatorade
* Midwifes and birth attendants: Coffee, snacks for during labor
*
After birth: A filling meal for after the birth. I've chosen homemade
mac and cheese as my meal and I am ohhh so excited for it!
Postpartum supplies:
(The
birth kit I will be purchasing has many things needed for postpartum
care like a peri bottle, some pads, and those mesh shorts that hospitals
usually give you.)
* Pads: the kind you like for heavy periods
* Ice pack: can be made from crushed ice in a plastic glove, small bag of frozen peas, or gel packs.
* Food for first three days prepared and ready to cook
* Help around the house (house cleaning, animal care, food prep, child care, etc.) for 7-10 days post birth
Extras for labor and after care:
(Things I will/have already purchased simply because I want them)
* Ink pad for taking Timothy's foot and hand prints
* Chapstick
* Postpartum wrap (I was going to purchase the Belly Bandit, but think I will be going with The Cinch instead. Click HERE if you want to check it out.
And lets not forget the CAMERA!!!!!!!! :)
Since I will be home, everything Timothy will need is already close at hand, so no need to pack a "hospital bag" like I did with Anthony and Molly. Receiving blankets, warm blankets, clothing, diapers, wipes, etc. will be just in the other room. The birth kit includes other needed things for him: newborn cap, umbilical cord clamp, measuring tape, bulb syringe, etc.
Rebecca Hauck
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