Birth Plan

Making a birth plan for your hospital stay is very important. It will reduce the need to make decisions while you are in labor and perhaps not in the best mindset. A birth plan will also allow you to make arrangements to make your hospital stay the best possible. The birth plan communicates to the hospital staff your desires so they are not left to assume, and everything can be done in a way that makes you feel most comfortable.

You will find your birth plan broken down into stages of the hospital experience. These are just some options you may consider. You may find that some are exactly what you wish to happen while some are options that are not listed below are things you would like to see in your hospital plan. Please, feel free to use this as a guide, but feel free to make changes that work best for you.

Labor

• If medically possible, I would like the freedom to walk around during labor
• When medically possible, I would like to be able to move positions and move around during labor
• If medically allowable, I would like fluids taken by mouth during early labor stages.
• I would like to bring my own music to be played during my labor (not all hospitals are able to play music)
• I would like my room lights to be dimmed during labor and delivery
• I would only like an IV if it is necessary, and not as a precaution
• I plan to wear my contact lenses during delivery
• I plan to wear my glasses during delivery
• I wish to avoid painkillers during childbirth
• I wish to be treated with dignity and respect prior to and during labor
• If needed, I would like to have a fetal monitor to determine if there are any problems

Adoption requests during and prior to labor

• I do not wish to discuss my adoption plan with anyone prior to or during labor.
• I do not wish to discuss my adoption plan with the nursing staff.
• I do not wish to discuss my adoption plan with my doctor.

*Note: It is necessary for you to discuss your adoption plan with the hospital social worker. You can, however, wait to discuss your adoption plan until after the baby is born.

Pain management and child birth

• I wish to use painkillers during birth
• I would prefer an injection of narcotic pain killer prior to trying any epidural
• I would like a standard epidural
• I would like a standard epidural only upon request
• I would like a low dose or commonly referred to as a walking epidural
• I would like a low dose epidural only upon request

Cesarean also known as C-section

• I would only like a c-section if medically necessary
• I would like to be fully informed of reason c-section is needed
• I would like to view the baby after birth
• I would not like to view the baby after birth

Adoption requests during C-section

• I would like the adoptive family present during my c-section. Normal deliveries are much more difficult to coordinate than are c-sections. This request should be fully explored with your adoption provider to review the pros and cons.

Delivery

• I would like to choose the position in which I give birth
• I would like to give birth in the squatting position
• I would like to give birth on my back (traditional position)
• I would like to review any other new methods of delivery available to me
• I would like for nurses or a friend to support my legs while I am pushing.
• If possible, I would like to see the baby during delivery
• I would like the lights to remain dim during delivery

Right after Delivery

• I would like the doctor or nurse to cut the cord
• I would prefer to cut the cord
• I would like to hold the baby
• I would prefer not to hold the baby
• If possible, I would like the adoptive family to cut the cord
• If possible, I would like the adoptive family to hold the baby
• If the adoptive family is not available, I would like the baby taken to the nursery

Hours and days after delivery

• When medically possible, I would like the baby with me
• I would only like the baby with me during the day and stay in the nursery at night
• I would like the baby to stay in the nursery full time with the adoptive family
• I would like the baby to stay in the nursery until the adoptive family arrives
• I would like the baby to stay with me until the adoptive family arrives