rivka

By popular acclamation, here's a copy of our birth plan. We originally had a longer one that was much more polite and expressed much more flexibility, but several people pointed out to me that, although my midwife might read the long version, no one else at the hospital would. So this is one page, in snappy bullet points. It's still technically a draft - comments are welcome.

Birth Plan (Draft)

Names:

rivka and

curiousangel
Due date: 4/3/05
Primary caregiver: Kathy Slone Associates
Hospital: Mercy Medical Center

Additional people to be present during labor:

saoba (doula)
Pat (

rivka's mother)

We recognize that no birth is predictable and that medical necessity may require significant changes to our plan. We trust our providers to help us make informed decisions during labor and delivery.

Pertinent medical background:

Spinal fusion from T10-L2 performed in 1987.

Artificial right hip due to congenital hip dysplasia – painful response to pressure and limited range of motion. Please do not put pressure on rivka's right leg or move it abruptly.

Uncomplicated pregnancy, no known fetal abnormalities.

Preferences for normal labor and birth:

We are planning an unmedicated birth but may ask for medications if delivery is unusually difficult or prolonged. Please do not offer pain medication.

We would like to have access to a birthing tub during labor.

rivka would like freedom to eat and drink throughout labor, as tolerated.

Prefer to move freely during labor – no IV or continuous fetal monitoring.

Student observation is okay – please, no internal exams by students.

Prefer to push according to spontaneous impulse rather than being directed.

Will accept a perineal tear if necessary, rather than an episiotomy.

curiousangel does not want to catch the baby or cut the cord.

Please delay cord cutting until the cord has stopped pulsing.

Preferences for unexpected events:

Induction and/or artificial rupture of membranes only in response to fetal distress.

At first consideration of C-section, we would like to consult with the anesthesiologist about feasibility of spinal anesthesia post rivka's 1987 spinal fusion.