Birth Plan

Birth Plan

I have a birth plan. A plan that I would love to see executed the day my little one comes into the world. In my Bradley Class our instructor talked about the importance of having our wishes/desires written down on paper, however I saw it as homework and tried hard to get out of doing it. Don't get me wrong I want a drug free birth and the extensive planner in me wants a perfect birth. I just don't want to have to think about the day in and of its self, because lets face it plan or no plan I can't control what goes on the day Kai arrives. So after reading several examples online I began to type out the plan I wanted implemented the day I would meet the baby I have waited three years to meet. Here is the plan I have for Kai's Birth...

To: Caregivers at (insert hospital name)

We are very pleased with our choice of Dr. Timmins and (insert hospital name) for our upcoming birth.

We are well-prepared and educated and have done everything we can to stay healthy and low risk during this pregnancy. We are looking forward to a beautiful, natural birth and would appreciate all of the kind, encouraging care that you can provide.

Since this is a very special event in our lives. We have some preferences that may be different than your standard routine. We respectfully request that you consider our wishes as outlined below in the course of a normal labor and delivery thank you in advance for any and all assistance you can provide us with during our stay. We would appreciate if you:

·         Don’t offer us any pain medication we will let you know if we need it.

·         Allow only Mom, Dad, and Doula present during labor and during delivery. Anyone else should be directed to the waiting room.

·         Would use a heparin lock for IV so that mother can still move around and walk as needed during labor.

·         Would only give updates on dilation progression to Dad and Doula as the mother would like to focus on laboring and progressing.

·         Allow freedom of movement both in and out of the bathtub or shower, and walking in and outside of our room during labor.

·          Permit various ways of pushing when the time comes (Hands and Knees or Lying Sideways position) Dad and Doula may hold mothers legs during pushing. (please no stirrups)

·         Place baby directly on mother’s chest for bonding and breastfeeding after birth.

·         Delayed cord clamping and have dad cut the cord after it stops pulsing.

·         Allowed for Placenta to be taken home after birth.

·         Could make sure no bottles, pacifiers, or formula are given to our son without our consent as we will be attempting to exclusively breastfeed.

These are our preferences in the case of an uncomplicated labor. If a complication (medical emergency) does arise, we will, of course, do whatever is necessary to keep mother and baby safe.

Bradley Birth 12 Week Course Review

Bradley Birth 12 Week Course Review

I thought it would be great if I blogged about the birthing class we chose to take and how we plan to birth in the next few weeks. Dave and I attended a 12 week birthing couse called the Bradley Method. I am proud to say that we never missed a class and that as the weeks came and went we really felt more prepared for Kai's arrival.

If you are unfamiliar with the Bradley Method here is a quick overview. As I mentioned earlier it is a 12 week course that emphasis the role of the dad as a birth coach. I chose this course, because I really wanted Dave to be apart of the birthing experience, I didn't want him to feel as if I was having a baby when it should be WE are having a baby. I searched all over Houston for an instructor that would fit our schedule, we wanted Saturday mid-day lessons, and who was relatively close as Houston is a large city. Well it really wasn't a difficult decision after I ran across Total Natural Childbirth: Bradley Method website through a Google search. Johanna was our instructor and the course content was great. Lots of people often complain that their instructor was boring or that they felt they were being lectured, but that was not the experience I had with Johanna. I thought she had many real-life stories that added to our class and as a mother of 5 she had so many tips and tricks first time moms like me need to hear. Our class consisted of 7 couples all FTMs with the exception of one and all at various weeks in pregnancy. In class we learned proper food & nutrition, relaxation techniques, exercises that can help during labor, and several birthing positions. However, I must mention that if there is one thing I would change it would be the outdated Bradley Videos, I understand that natural birthing hasn't changed in the general sense but can we get a video that was made in this decade. I mean really the babies being born in the Bradley videos must be grandparents themselves now.

Here is the actual outline of course content week-by-week:

• Class 1. Introduction to The Bradley Method
• Class 2. Nutrition in Pregnancy 
• Class 3. Pregnancy, Anatomy and Physiology of Pregnancy and Birth
• Class 4. The Coach's Role 
• Class 5. Introduction to First Stage Labor 
• Class 6. Introduction to Second Stage Labor 
• Class 7. Planning Your Birth 
• Class 8. Variations and Complications / Postpartum Preparation 
• Class 9. Advanced First Stage Techniques 
• Class 10. Advanced Second Stage Techniques 
• Class 11. Being a Great Coach / Are You Ready? 
• Class 12. Preparing for Your New Family 

Overall I loved my class and the experience I had. I would highly recommend taking a natural birth class if your desire is to have a natural birth.