Punkin’s Birth Plan

I had a birth plan with Munchkin that was two pages long. I put a lot of thought and time into it. I feel like most of it got thrown out the window but in reality, a good portion of it was followed. I think the most valuable aspect of the birth plan was making it because it made me really think about what I wanted (or what I thought I wanted.)  I never shared it on the blog and it’s currently resting in the bowels of a computer that no longer turns on, waiting to be retrieved from the hard drive by some expert who can also save my photos.  I wasn’t going to do a birth plan this time around, as I already know what I want and have thought things through plenty in the two years since I had Munchkin.  However, I’ve been encouraged by my OB to have one. She and the others who will be at the birth can’t read my mind so I guess it will help them to know what I’d like.  The Man knows and will fight for what I want if need be but it’s good to have it in writing too. 





I remember while I was writing the last one, the nervousness I felt. As a first time mom, you know that labor is painful. After all, everyone and their sister has shared their horror story with you. The unknown is scary and labor is unknown, especially since it’s so different for every person. Writing the birth plan this time was different. Having been through labor, it’s no longer unknown. I feel like I’ve been tested and now I know what my body is capable of. I know that I can handle being induced. I can handle contractions, and pitocin fueled contractions without medication. I’ve experienced transition, again without medication. I know how nice an epidural can be. I’ve had my worst case scenario for labor play out…ending with a c-section (well, having something happen to the baby or me is really worst case scenario, but a c-section was right up there.)  I’m not as nervous or anxious this time. It’s nice actually, to not be so worried about it. I know that no matter what kind of birth Punkin ends up with, VBAC or RCS, I can handle it. My body can handle it. It’s nice to have that quiet confidence.
So with those thoughts, here is Punkin’s birth plan and it’s much shorter, sweeter and the point:

To those who will be taking care of us during the birth of our daughter:
Thank you for all your hard work and care of us and our daughter Punkin while we are here with you. We know that birth is unpredictable and that things can change quickly. These are our preferences and totally understand that sometimes things don’t happen the way we want them to. Thank you for taking them into consideration.
Sincerely,
The Man & Poekitten

· The Man would like to watch Punkin being born
· Poe would like Punkin to be placed on her abdomen/chest as soon as possible after she is born. Of all the points on this page, this is the one that is most important to both of us.
· The Man would like to cut the cord (or trim it as the case may be)
· Poe would like to take her placenta home. It will be picked up a couple of hours after giving birth
· We would like one of us to be with Punkin at all times
· Please do not give Punkin the routine eye ointment or the Hepatitis B vaccination. We will sign any forms necessary
· Poe is planning on breastfeeding so we would prefer that no formula or pacifiers be given without our consent
· We would like to delay the first bath for as long as possible
· If Punkin’s bilirubin levels require light therapy, we would like to have access to a light blanket to use, that way we can still snuggle and breastfeed Punkin

In the event that Poe goes into labor before the scheduled RCS and has a VBAC, she would like:

· To be able to labor in the water as much as possible to help with pain management
· To be able to move around as much as possible during labor
· To have use of a birth ball
· To not be offered an epidural. If she decides she wants one she’ll ask for it
· For pitocin (if given) to be turned up small doses over a longer period of time
· Poe would like to know before forceps or a vacuum is used.

Did you write a birth plan?

Did you find is useful?