Natural Childbirth Birth Plan

We meant to post our birth plan in honor of Dalia's 1st birthday. We didn't quite make it in time, but still want to share it with our readers. This is a fairly typical birth plan for women planning to labor in a birth center or hospital with midwives. There are some doctors out there who would probably be OK with some of these items, but most (if not all) will not agree to this type of plan (especially since most hospitals have procedures, time lines, and other birth policies they must always follow--hello, Business of Being Born, ever see it? It is a MUST)!

How about the you must dilate one cm per hour once you hit active labor or BOOM pitocin (you know the drill, the all-to-familiar cascade of interventions.....)

Having a natural and gentle birth (calm environment, soft music and soft voices, and gentle language and movements) can lead to a more bonded relationship with your child, not to mention it gives you a head start on gentle discipline, if you are interested in that.

So here you all go! And, if you haven't read our very abbreviated birth story, read it here.

Sarah and Steven Horowitz, Birth Plan

Birth Goal

We are attempting to have a natural, unmedicated birth without unnecessary intervention. We understand that emergencies occur and alterations to this plan may be medically necessary, but we would like to discuss alternatives and consequences of any deviation privately.

Hospital Labor Goals

We ask that our Midwife and Doula (Aimee Clark) be present for the labor. We do not want mother and father to be separated at any time during labor or delivery. All other visitors, family, and unnecessary staff should be turned away until we have had time alone with our new baby.

We ask that lights be kept fully dim, noise and voices be kept to a minimum, and the door always be kept closed for privacy. We will bring our own music to aid in natural healing.

We ask that cervical exams be kept to an absolute minimum and that fetal monitoring be intermittent rather than continuous.

We ask that the hospital staff refrain from offering pain medication at all times.

We ask that no routine IV be administered. The mother will drink and eat as she wishes to maintain natural energy.

We ask that the bag of waters not be artificially broken at any time.

We prefer to labor in one of the hospital’s tubs, if available.

Induction (if medically necessary)

We ask that non-chemical induction methods be tried first. (nipple stimulation, sex, etc) If further help is needed, please try a cervical ripening agent (but not cytotec) rather than pitocin. No pitocin.

Delivery Goals

We prefer not to have an episiotomy unless determined to be medically necessary; we would first like to try perineal massage, support and warm compresses.

We ask that the mother be allowed to try different positions (hands and knees, squatting, birth stools, etc.), if labor or delivery seems stalled.

We ask that the mother be allowed to select her pushing position.

We would like to have the baby placed on the mother's chest immediately after the birth.

We would like to try to have the baby breastfeed as soon as possible, even if delivered by a medically necessary Cesarean.

Newborn Care Goals

Do not administer the eye medication. Do not administer the vitamin K shot until we have spent some time with the baby, preferably as long as possible before leaving the labor and delivery room.

Please delay the weighing and measuring of the baby until the first feeding is complete.

Please do not offer any bottles or pacifiers to the baby without parents' notification of a medical need.

Please discuss routine vaccinations with parents before administering them to the baby.

Do not administer the Hep B vaccination.

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So that is it. That was our plan and it went exactly as we wanted. Keep in mind my labor stalled for 3 hours at 9.5 cm (yeah, I go to the hospital at 9.5). MDs probably won't let you go that long--even my midwife was a bit up in arms. And in all honesty, I believe it was Dalia saying, "mommy and daddy, I am just not ready to leave this womb yet. I am not prepared to separate so please give me more time." I also believe it was my body telling everyone that it was not ready. I was not ready to become a mommy. It wasn't the right time.

In the end I did end up letting my midwife break my bag of waters. Funny enough Dalia was being born in the bag of waters (apparently a sign of good luck in Asia). At that moment, I caved, but no regrets there.

Birth is not just a physical task. It is mental, emotional, psychological, physiological, and personal. Your whole self has to be ready to have a baby, not just your cervix!