Birth Preferences

With very few weeks left, I was starting to get overwhelmed. There is still so much I'd like to get done before this baby comes. We are painting and redecorating our bathroom and bedroom. We are trying to get the basement organized and easy to access. We are hoping to have the house completely clean, so the oven doesn't smell when we cook and the fridge looks like we use it regularly (looks should be deceiving ;)) But more than all that, we really need to prepare for the birth itself. I started compiling a list of my preferences for my planned home birth, an emergency transfer or a possible cesarean. I like everyone to be on the same page, even though my midwives are absolutely amazing. After finishing my lists everything became a little more real and very exciting! :) Here are my lists:

Home birth preferences: 

-Labor unassisted for as long as possible

-Attempt to birth and labor in birth pool

-Catch my own baby, if this is not possible have a willing family member assist

-Do not clamp or cut cord for a couple of hours. We would like baby to stay attached to the placenta beyond birth and skin to skin. 

-Have Lily involved as much as she (and I) are comfortable

In case of hospital vaginal birth: 

-*No blood* (advanced directive attached)

-No electronic fetal monitoring unless it is absolutely necessary to save my child's life

-No pitocin or cytotec 

-No antibiotics. I have tested negative for GBS.

-No post partum pitocin unless immediate risk of hemorrhage 

-Please do not ask me if I want pain medication.

-Only check my dilation when I am comfortable and ready.

-Do not clamp or cut the cord until the placenta has been birthed.

-Do not suction my child unless it is necessary to save his/her life.

-Please lay baby on my chest immediately following birth unless unable to do so for the life of the baby.-- Please do all checks on my chest.
-We would like to allow the breast crawl right away, please do not interfere in this time.

-We do not know the sex of the baby, please let me (or my husband) announce the sex.

-We will be taking the placenta home. Do not take the placenta from the room for any reason.

-We would like to be discharged the same day, thank you for understanding. 

In case of cesarean section: 

-I would like to have a VBAC after this birth. Please use a double stitch to repair my uterine wall instead of a single stitch.

-I would like three vaginal swabs done at the onset of the cesarean. Please keep them with me at all times. (Directions at the bottom of page)

-Please allow my husband to announce the sex of our baby.

-Please do not clamp the cord until it stops pulsating.

-Do not suction the child unless it is necessary to save his/her life.

-Please place baby on my chest for skin to skin after the placenta has detached for the remainder of the surgery. If I am not physically able, allow my husband to hold baby until the end of the surgery. Delay ALL after birth procedures (see below).

-We will be taking the placenta home. Do not take the placenta from the room for any reason.

-Do not take baby out of the room unless necessary to save his/her life. We do not consent to any trips to the nursery or blood sugar checks.

After birth baby meds: 

-Vitamin k only after mom and baby have had more than an hour together.

-PKU administered after mom and baby have had time alone.

-No circumcision (male or female)

-No hepatitis b vaccination

-No antibiotic ointment in newborns eyes

-No synagis for newborn (whether preterm or full term)

-No routine antibiotics even if meconium was present at birth

-Exclusively breastfeeding

After birth procedures: 

-Please delay all routine procedures (diapering, weighing, washing, stamping, vit k. Baby meds listed above)

-I would like to hold baby skin to skin as long as I see fit.

-My blood is NEGATIVE while my husbands is POSITIVE. If necessary I request the Mercury free Rhogam (BayRoh-D, from Bayer Pharmaceuticals)

-Do not wash our baby. I will wipe him/her down with a damp washcloth without soap when I see fit. We do not consent to any baby baths.

-I will be breastfeeding. Do not give bottles, pacifier, sugar water or anything by mouth.

-Please leave our baby in our room at all times. We do not consent to any nursery visits.

-Our son WILL NOT be circumcised. We wish to keep our baby intact.

Vaginal Swabs for Cesarean: 

1.  take a piece of gauze soaked in sterile normal saline

2.  fold it up like a tampon with lots of surface area and insert into the mother’s vagina

3.  leave for 1 hour, remove just prior to surgery and keep in a sterile container

4.  immediately after birth apply the swab to the baby’s mouth, face, then the rest of the body (my husband or I will do this if you are uncomfortable performing)

We thank you all for your hard work and for understanding our preferences. You guys rock!