Okay, males, I don't mind if you read this at all, but it does contain references to body parts that some of you may be unfamiliar with, or made uncomfortable by, so be warned. I do want female readers to read this and tell me if I missed something important...some things I left out on purpose, but I feel like I'm forgetting something.

This will be my fourth hospital birth- the other three I enjoyed to varying degrees...the births have all been wonderful, the stays afterward not so great, but this is how we do it.

Sarah's Birth Plan

I know that all births differ, and I have confidence that the nurses and doctor will do all they can for me if an emergency arises, however, I believe that childbirth is a natural process with productive pain, and I desire as few medical interventions as possible. I would like this birth to be as unencumbered as possible, which means that I do not want any drugs for pain, or for contracting, and I would like the freedom to move around as much as possible. I believe that a calm and comfortable mother can best deliver a healthy baby, even if that means neglecting some commonly used medications and tools. I desire a safe and healthy delivery, so I am listing my preferences, and I am willing to discuss anything. I have come into all of my children’s births with excitement and a certain amount of enjoyment, and I hope that this birth can be as calm and quiet as I would like, with staff that share my joy at welcoming our fourth child into this world.

1. No I.V. An I.V. will be unnecessary in my birthing except in case of emergency, and it hampers my movements and comfort during labor, therefore, I will sign a release stating that I do not want it. I have been in a hospital before, and seen how quickly a trained nurse can put an I.V. in, and I have confidence that in an emergency, any staff person will be able to care for me just as adequately as if I had had an I.V. in already.
2. No pain medication of any sort. If I desire it at any time, I will ask.
3. No episiotomy. I understand that the alternative may be tearing, and I feel like this may be the better route. (However, I have had three babies, and it has never been an issue.)
4. I will allow fetal monitoring as long as I am comfortable. In the last stages of pregnancy, I will be moving too much to allow for much lying down. I prefer to labor on my feet.
5. I will not have an enema.
6. I do not want to be induced except in case of emergency. I have been at least a week overdue with every child, and almost two weeks with my first, and I am willing to wait that long for this baby. I feel very sure that my body will labor as it needs to, at the speed it desires, and I do not want petocin to hasten labor.
7. I also do not want petocin at any point of my stay at the hospital, not even to contract the uterus after delivery, unless there is an emergency. I will be massaging my uterus, and I will be nursing, both of which will be enough to get my uterus back to the place and shape it needs to be, as well as decrease bleeding. I did not have it with my last birth, and I do not react well to it, so unless it is an emergency situation, I will not allow any.
8. All interventions not mentioned above should only be employed if there is a sound medical reason to do so, and not, “just in case.”
9. I would like the baby to be in my arms for the first HOUR at least, with initial care of the baby done while the baby is on my body.
10. I will be breastfeeding only, so no bottles, pacifiers, or formula is to be given to the baby.
11. The baby will stay in my room at all times, unless I or my husband is with him.
12. I desire open communication with the nurses who care for me and my baby. I will do my best to make your job easy as long as I am told what is happening at all times.
13. I would not like the baby to receive eye medication unless there has been clear indication of an infection.