Our Birth Plan

Mother: Carissa Dollar
Husband & Father: Matthew Dollar
EDD: 03/10/01
Caregiver: Nurse Midwives of Indianapolis
Birth Assistant: Kristin Minor
Backup OB: Dr. Mary Soper
Family Physician: Dr. Charles Platz
Potential Labor Support : Tena Williams (Carissa�s Mother) & Tina Lee (Carissa�s Step-Mother)

We believe that as long as everything proceeds normally, the staff of the Birth Center will automatically provide the atmosphere and care we envision for the joyous birth of our child. Our basic vision of our Birth Center birth involves laboring and birthing in the birthing tub. Carissa plans to remain active throughout labor. We will labor at home as long as possible. It is our goal to arrive at the Birth Center before entering transition so Carissa can spend transition in the tub. We plan to bring music and candles with us to help create a peaceful atmosphere. Carissa would like to try pushing in a supported squat, but is open to suggestions for other positions. If pushing in the tub isn�t productive we would like the option of using the birthing chair. We are open to suggestions for positions that may be more productive. Carissa would like to be reminded to touch the baby�s head during pushing. We would like to be offered the opportunity for one or both of us to help catch the baby.

In the event of a transfer to the hospital, the following statements represent our careful consideration and education concerning the labor and birth of our child. We understand the need to remain flexible and will be prepared for any necessary last minute changes to insure the health of both Mother and Baby. We appreciate your help in bringing our child into this world gently, with as few medical interventions as possible. We ask to please be informed (medical reason, risks, benefits and alternatives) of any procedures and given time for discussion before anything is done. Thank you for your understanding and support in making our baby�s birth a joyous experience and warm memory for our family.

Labor

Mother will labor at home as long as possible.
Mother requests freedom of movement, use of shower, jacuzzi tub, and birth ball.
Please do not offer any pain medications. We are aware of what is available and will ask if desired.
We request that no routine IV�s be started.
Mother requests liquids and light solids during labor to maintain hydration and energy.
We would prefer that the baby be monitored via doptone or fetoscope. If external EFM is deemed necessary, we would like to request a telemetry unit if one is available. If internal monitoring is recommended, Mother requests that a fetal stimulation test or fetal scalp blood sampling be performed first to verify the need for the intervention.
Comfort measures requested: low lights, quiet room, aromatherapy, music, massage, extra pillows.
Please allow bag of waters to break spontaneously. (We will consider AROM before the birthing stage.)
We would prefer no medical induction or augmentation of labor. We would prefer to try more natural methods first.

Birth

Mother may wish to give birth in the water. We understand that this may not be an option in the event of a hospital birth. We ask that we be allowed access to the tub as late in labor as possible.
Mother would prefer to push in an upright position, possibly a supported squat. (Use of squat bar may be requested.) Slow and natural pushing based on Mother�s own urge to push, not directed pushing. Mother will probably do exhale pushing.
We would like a mirror available for Mother to see.
We request that no episiotomy be performed unless there is fetal/maternal distress. Mother would prefer to tear. Warm compresses to be used to help perineum in stretching. If an episiotomy becomes unavoidable, Mother requests that a pressure episiotomy be performed. Mother to receive local anesthesia for any stitches required after the birth.
Father and/or Mother to be offered the opportunity to catch the baby.
Father will announce the sex of the baby.
Immediate skin to skin contact and breastfeeding. Evaluations and suctioning to be done in Mother�s arms.
Please allow the cord to stop pulsating before it is clamped or cut. Please offer Father the opportunity to cut the cord.
Baby and Mother to be covered with a warm blanket and left alone for family bonding time until after baby�s first meal.
Mother would prefer no pitocin for delivery of the placenta and no uterine massage following the birth. Please allow the placenta to detach naturally without pulling on the cord. Breastfeeding should suffice to return the uterus to normal.

Baby

If the baby is a boy, he will not be circumcised.
We would prefer no nursery.
Baby will be exclusively breastfed and is to receive no bottles of anything and no pacifiers.
Please delay all routine baby procedures (weighing, etc.) until after the first feeding.
If at all possible, cord blood to be used for any tests needing baby�s blood.
Father or Mother would like to give baby his/her first bath.
Mother or Father to be present for any necessary procedures.
If Mother & Baby go home within 24 hours of birth, we would like to decline the initial PKU test until baby is 3 to 4 days old.
We would like to delay the Hepatitis B vaccine until the baby is 2 months old.
We would like to delay the eye drops & vitamin K until after the family has had some time to bond. We would prefer that the vitamin K be administered orally if possible.

If a C-section Becomes Necessary

Father and Midwife to be present.
Mother would prefer to be conscious. Prefer epidural anesthesia or spinal block.
Screen lowered on request.
Baby goes immediately to Mother or Father.
All requests regarding care of baby stand.

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