A Birth Plan
I posted my birth plan in my own journal, and it got a lot of great feedback, so I thought I'd share it to give those of you who've never prepared one before (or even if you have) a basis to start from in writing up your ideals for the birth that you want.

I'm planning a home waterbirth with my husband, my mom who is an RN, my sister who is studying to become a doula and a midwife. The first section of the plan pertains to that. The second section pertains to what I'd like if I end up having to birth in a hospital for some reason, something I don't anticipate but still may happen - should that occur, my midwife will serve as a doula and my sister won't be present, as she'll be taking care of my kids at home The third section was prepared should an emergency arise which necessitates a c-section.

I've edited out some portions which apply specifically to me, to make this a little more useful for others. Feel free to use any of this for yourselves, and happy birthing!

1. While Laboring at Home:
   
   • I always get dehydrated during labor and birth. Please keep cold water and juice available for me, and remind me to drink if I am not sipping frequently, especially when I'm in transition and when I'm getting close to pushing.
   
   
   • I may want to be outside. If my water hasn't broken and it's warm, I may want to be in the pool or hot tub. Please work with me on this, I don't know where and how I'll want to labor, I just want comfort.
   
   
   • Please try to stay positive for me, even if things get dicey or if we get into a situation where a transfer might be necessary. Emotionally, my biggest issue is slipping into a fear/panic mode and we all know what that will do to my labor and with regards to pain, etc. If you seem scared, I'll lose it. Concerned, serious, okay, but please try not to act frightened, even if it's scary.
   
   
   • Please try not to talk about me within my earshot, or talk over me. Involve me in your conversations or go into another room if you want to discuss something that you don't think I need to hear just then.
   
   
   • Please try not to whisper. Though I'd prefer quiet voices over loud, I also don't want to have to strain to hear you. Speak normally.
   
   
   • I may need to be alone. Unless it's a really bad time, please believe me when I ask you to step into another room, or go inside/up to the deck if we're outside. Just stay where you can hear me call for help and that'll be fine.
   
   
   • I'll have a selection of music that I might want to hear at various times. My husband will know what I mean when I mention something by name. If I say that I need to hear a particular song at a particular time, please try not to have conversations amongst yourselves over the music.
   
   
   • My sister Mis will be in charge of photos. Please allow her to get as many as she can.
   
   
   • My Mom is in charge of taking note of times and milestones. Please let her know when something worth noting occurs, if she doesn't already know.
   
   
   • I’ll have various items of clothing, hair ties, bandanas, etc. available in a basket that can be nearby wherever we are. Mom is also in charge of this. If I ask for clothing, etc. that's where it'll be.


2. Birth and Thereafter, At Home
   
   • We would like for my husband to catch the baby. Please allow him to get into position to make that happen.
   
   
   • We would like the baby to hear our voices before anything or anyone else. Once the baby is fully emerged, though it is an exciting moment, please let us speak first, welcoming her to the world with our own special words for her.
   
   
   • When the baby is fully emerged, my husband will immediately place her into my arms, or, if the cord is unusually short, onto my abdomen. If we're in the water, we will keep here in the water at this time. If we aren't in water, please have a warm towel to drape over her so that she can be comfortable in those first bonding moments.
   
   
   • Please give the baby time to clear her own breathing passages without suction. I don’t want suction used unless there is a dire need.
   
   
   • Please do not announce the baby's gender. We're as certain as is possible that she's a girl, but we want to see for ourselves first. We will tell everyone.
   
   
   • We would like for the cord to remain uncut until it stops pulsing, at a minimum. My husband and I will clamp and cut the cord ourselves, unless we direct otherwise.
   
   
   • I’d like to birth the placenta in the tub if we have a water birth.
   
   
   • Weight and other checks should happen after we have our bonding time, while I'm birthing the placenta would probably be a good time.
   
   
   • Unless there is some birth trauma which indicates a necessity, we're opposed to the administration of any injections, antibiotics, eyedrops or other medication to the baby. Please consult us about this unless there is a significant emergency.

Hospital Birth Plan

1. During ALL Phases of Labor:
   
   • It is crucial that my husband be present with me at all times. We are not to be separated under any circumstances.
   
   
   • My mother, and my midwife shall be present to act as a support and doula, respectively. Please give both the respect they are due as learned medical and birth professionals who have attended hundreds of births and are both well versed regarding my needs and desires as pertain to the birth of this child.
   
   
   • No painkillers of any kind are to be administered at any time during a vaginal delivery. In addition, no personnel should offer painkillers at any time. If it is felt that I am in need of medication for some reason, please discuss this matter with my birth support and doula outside of the room before coming to me.
   
   
   • I become dehydrated very easily during labor and birth. I must have access to cold water and ice chips at all times. Regardless of risks, this is non-negotiable for me.
   
   
   • I have various comfort needs, including:
     
     • A need for privacy. Please keep my door closed at all times, and knock before entering.
     
     
     • A need to wear my own clothing.
     
     
     • A need for a soothing environment. Lights should be dimmed, voices should be lowered, music that I bring should be played and interruptions of staff should be kept to an absolute minimum.


2. Latent Labor and Active Labor:
   
   • I may have my own personal style to birthing. I need to not be hushed, rushed or told that I cannot do something which I need to do to comfortably and healthily birth my child so long as my choices are safe. I will be working with my husband, my support and my doula in making these choices and I ask that they are respected.
   
   
   • I do not want internal exams done for the sole purpose of ascertaining my dilation progress.
   
   
   • Mobility is crucial to me. I must be able to walk, rock, use my birth ball, a squatting bar, a birthing stool and to use the bathroom as my body dictates.
     
     • In keeping with the need for mobility, I do not want to have any permanent monitoring, preferring intermittent checks with a fetoscope.
   
   
   • I do not want a "routine" IV for fluids. If an IV prep is truly medically necessary I prefer a heparin lock.
   
   
   • I do not wish to be augmented unless there is shown to be a problem with the baby that requires it; such a matter should be discussed with me and my birth support, doula and husband with respect given to alternatives presented by my birth team to resolve any imminent problems -- including different positions, walking, etc. -- before turning to artificial hormone intervention.
   
   
   • I will sign a waiver regarding any of the above if necessary.


3. Pushing and Birth:
   
   • I do not want to be coached on how to push, when to push or how long each push should be, but rather permitted to rely upon my body's signals any my own strength and abilities to create a pushing rhythm which will birth my baby.
   
   
   • I do not want any time limits imposed upon pushing so long as the baby is handling things well. It is very important to me to allow my body to operate in its natural rhythm and time-table.
   
   
   • If pushing is not be progressing efficiently, I would like the opportunity to try a variety of positions, including squatting, side-lying, standing upright, hands and knees, kneeling or whatever else seems comfortable to me at the time.
   
   
   • At no time should I be forced or encouraged to get into any kind of seated or supine position which are biologically inappropriate for safe, healthy pushing and birthing.
   
   
   • I do not consent to an episiotomy. If necessary, my birth team will support me with perineal compresses and/or encouragement to breathe with my urge to push.
   
   
   • I would like to view my baby's entry into the world unobstructed. If possible, I would like for my husband to catch the baby.
   
   
   • I would like the baby placed upon my abdomen or into my arms immediately. Please help me into a position that makes this possible.
   
   
   • Barring any emergency, we would like for my baby to hear parental voices first. Please allow us to greet our child and welcome him/her to the world before speaking in any normal tones of voice.
   
   
   • Do not announce the baby's gender.
   
   
   • If warming is deemed medically necessary, baby may be warmed on my chest, covered by warm towels or blankets.
   
   
   • If necessary, a waiver will be signed regarding any of the above.


4. Delivery of Placenta:
   
   • I do not wish to receive Pitocin, uterine massage or cord traction in order to birth my placenta. If any of the above are medically indicated, the rationale should be explained before the procedure or drug is administered.
   
   
   • Under no circumstances should any medical personnel tug on the cord.
   
   
   • I wish to have the opportunity to examine both the fetal and maternal sides of my placenta.


5. After the Birth:
   
   • I do not want the baby to be suctioned barring absolute medical necessity. Please give him/her the opportunity to naturally clear his/her breathing passages.
   
   
   • Please do not clamp baby's umbilical cord before it stops pulsating. Please allow my husband to cut the cord.
   
   
   • Newborn procedures should be delayed until after my husband and I have had an opportunity to speak to our child, welcome our child to the world in our own way and until I have offered the baby my breast.
   
   
   • No vitamin K, eye ointment, antibiotics or other drugs should be administered to the baby without express consent from myself or my husband. No immunizations should be administered at this time regardless of circumstance.
   
   
   • We prefer that the baby is gently wiped down to remove fluids, the baby should not be bathed until a time of our choosing.
   
   
   • Should our baby be a boy, under no circumstances should he be circumcized.
   
   
   • The baby should stay in my room at all times unless a medically necessary procedure must be performed elsewhere. The baby should be accompanied at all times by myself, my husband or my mother, and one of us should be present for all procedures.
   
   
   • The baby will be exclusively breastfed. Under no circumstances should baby be given formula, glucose solution or pacifiers.
   
   
   • If my baby requires specialized medical care:
     
     • I or my husband will accompany the baby if transported to another facility
     
     
     • I will provide breastmilk for my baby, either by expression or by nursing
     
     
     • My husband or I will stay with our baby at all times, including during procedures.
     
     
     • Touch and holding of the baby should not be limited unless absolutely necessary.
   
   
   • If necessary, a waiver will be signed regarding any of the above.

In Case of an Emergency Cesarean Delivery:

• No procedure should be initiated without my express consent or that of my husband. Please respectfully explain rationale behind any chosen procedures so that consent can be truly informed.


• My husband, my mother or my doula should be with me at all times.


• I do not consent to general anesthesia unless absolutely necessary. I prefer to be awake and alert at all times.


• Unless absolutely contraindicated, a low-transverse incision on my uterus and abdomen should be used.


• I do not wish to have a screen blocking my ability to see my baby's birth. I am not squeamish and do not care how bloody or graphic the procedure is.


• I want to have my baby brought to me to be touched as soon as possible. I would like her father to hold him/her as soon as possible.


• I wish to breastfeed the baby as soon as possible.
  
  • Consequently, all medications, including painkillers, which are administered during and following the surgery, must be breastfeeding safe


• I do not want my baby separated from me unless there is a dire emergency.


• My child's father or my mother should be with the baby at all times.


• IVs and catheters should be removed as soon as possible following the birth.


• I need to have nutritious food and drink soon after birth to help me to recover and begin to provide milk for my baby. Please provide a meal for me with plenty of water and juice as quickly as possible.


• If necessary, a waiver will be signed regarding any of the above.