Hi, my only experience is in med-surg nursing, so I was wondering if I could run a possible birth plan by you guys and get professional opinions on it. I kept it short and sweet because I know you guys don't have a lot of time to read an essay:) Also, do most hospitals put the erythromycin ointment in the babies eyes right away? I don't want to go as far as to refuse it, even though I know I'm std neg, but I did want to wait until after I had a chance to do my first feeding before it was applied. Anyway, here is what I have so far...
I would like to have the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
I would prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before it is cut.
I would like to hold the baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
I would like to hold the baby for fifteen minutes before he/she is weighed and measured. I would also prefer the evaluation of the baby be done with the baby on my abdomen.
I plan to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing shortly after birth.
I do not wish to have any bottles given to my baby. If supplements are needed I would prefer syringe or finger feeding.
While I would like minimal interventions, the health of my baby (first) and I (second) are the priorities. Thank you for being here and helping us achieve these goals.
I had read, probably by someone here, that even if I don't have STD's the erythromycin ointment was still a good idea due to just the general level of germs in the hospital. Does anyone have any information about this? If I was having a home birth I would refuse it, but I'm worried about hospital germs. Also, I don't want to put anyone in a bad position as far as disobeying hospital policy.
i was told so many times by the nurses and the lactation consultant that if i am breast feeding correctly it should not hurt. well it did,.
every woman's experience is different, but i just wanted to add that this is not always the case..
i am very pale skinned (natural strwberry blond) and had zero pain nursing either of my boys. i did make a point of leaving the flaps down on a nursing bra during the last six weeks of preganancy, while wearing natural cotton tops (if you are less well endowed, skip the bra!!) not sure if that's what helped or if i was just lucky..
best wishes on wellcoming your little one!!:dncgbby:
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I had 4 healthy babies. The 1st few weeks of nursing them were torture. I would shudder when I would see their little mouths come towards me. But knowing i would get use to it and it would pass made it doable. I tell every new mom that it hurt me. I would rather them expect the worst and stick it out, then think they are doing it wrong and quit.
OTOH, I would hate for a woman to assume that the pain you experienced is NORMAL and not seek help. Breastfeeding should never be so painful that one would call it "torture" and dread feedings.
I was just at a meeting at my local hospital last night. We call it our "birth circle" and it is a group of progressive doulas, nurses and midwives who get together to discuss general birthing issues every month. Probably 50% of the group members are employees at the hospital and are constantly forming committees and campaigning against certain policies. For example, at this hospital they still try to take the baby to the nursery for its exam instead of doing it in the hospital room. However, nurses and midwives can advocate until they are blue in the face and the rest of the hospital won't bat an eye (well, at least not in a positive way!) The only way to get these policies changed is for the CONSUMERS (i.e. women & parents) to start demanding them. One of the midwives was very adamant about informing mothers that they have the right to JUST SAY NO! It's your body and your baby. They can't do anything to either of you without your consent (hopefully informed consent at that.) Your partner can get involved in this too, assertively reminding your care providers of your wishes.
Second, I just wanted to add that immediately after birth IS the best time to begin breastfeeding. Usually the baby is the most alert after being born and then begins to get sleepy and might stay that way for days! Of course this varies depending what kind of pain management you choose during labor. But, yeah....
It's never "mandatory". As with vaccines and other treatments, parents have a right to sign waivers. It may be mandatory to have signed paperwork stating the person was informed of benefits/risks, but you cannot give it unless they sign consent.
I met a local midwife who said one of her clients signed a waiver against the Hep B at birth, but it was given anyway because the hospital staff believed it was the law and for every baby to revieve it regardless. I honestly do not know what people are supposed to do in this situation, since once it's done it can't exactly be reversed.
Probably not much use to you but thought I'd give a bit of an international perspective;
I would like to have the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
This would usually always happen unless you specifically request for it not to or if there is any problem with the baby on delivery
I would prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before it is cut.
Again this usually always happens unless the health of the baby demands otherwise. You would also have the option of physiological 3rd stage if you so wish
I would like to hold the baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
Fine with us if your happy to do this. Some women do find it easier to have someone else hold the baby whilst they are having any repairs done as these are usually done with legs in stirrups so not always a good position to hold your baby in.
I would like to hold the baby for fifteen minutes before he/she is weighed and measured. I would also prefer the evaluation of the baby be done with the baby on my abdomen.
We promote at least an hour skin to skin after delivery so this would be no problem. Any thing such as Vit K and fixing baby bands will be done with the baby still on your abdomen. First exam and weight would be done in the room although would require the baby to be handed over to the midwife for a short time.
I plan to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing shortly after birth.
We would assist you with this within your first hour of skin to skin if the baby was interested in feeding. If not we would encourage you and assist you in expressing milk to promote effective lactation
I do not wish to have any bottles given to my baby. If supplements are needed I would prefer syringe or finger feeding.
Our Baby Friendly accreditation means we cant offer bottles to breastfed babies without express permission from the mum and even then policy would encourage us to recommend cup or syringe feeding
While I would like minimal interventions, the health of my baby (first) and I (second) are the priorities. Thank you for being here and helping us achieve these goals.
Overall I think your birth plan is totally acceptable and pretty much standard practice where I am. We also dont use antibiotic eye ointment on any babies so that wouldn't be an issue either.
Let me guess? 1st baby? As the mother of the 4 best kids in the world ( who knew they all belonged to me!! lol ) it doesnt matter what your birth plan is, it will change. No matter how it changes, you will love your little one like no other, and they will turn out just as good as had the birth plan had worked to a T. They wont remember the erythromycin ointment in their eyes and they will still bond with you just the same.
I hope you dont think I am coming across as sarcastic---really I love the idea of a mom who cares so much for her baby that she is making these plans. Mother hood is full of plans changing, That is rule #1 you need to modify, adjust and role with it.
Best of luck!!!!
There is no reason to do a full head-toe assessment and weigh and measure the baby in the first 5 minutes. We not only allow our moms to do skin-skin for the entire first hour, we encourage it! We do nothing other than the normal drying/stimulating, assess apgars, help breast feed and band the baby for the first hour. Yes they have an entire lifetime to hold the baby, but they will never get that first hour back. Having to watch baby from afar, while it cries and gets poked and prodded.
i would like to have the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery. this will be done, as long as baby is ok.
i would prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before it is cut. i dont know about this---i do know that if the blood from the cord flows back into the baby, the baby will be jaundiced like no other.
i would like to hold the baby while i deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made. i for one had to push really hard to get the placenta out, it felt like i was having another baby. i dont think i could have held a baby and pushed at the same time.
i would like to hold the baby for fifteen minutes before he/she is weighed and measured. i would also prefer the evaluation of the baby be done with the baby on my abdomen. if baby is good this should not be a problem, but 15 min is a long time, wouldnt you feel much better knowing that the baby is getting a complete head to toe with in the 1st few minutes of life? you will have a life time to hold your baby.
i plan to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing shortly after birth. good luck with this, i too nursed my babies, but they really are not hungry after delivery so dont be disappointed, it takes practice and time for both mom and baby. and no matter what they professionals tell you. it hurts.
i do not wish to have any bottles given to my baby. if supplements are needed i would prefer syringe or finger feeding. all 4 of my babies used bottles as needed, if their blood sugar gets low, you would want them to get some glucose water and quickly. they wont get nipple confusion. they know their mama.
while i would like minimal interventions, the health of my baby (first) and i (second) are the priorities. thank you for being here and helping us achieve these goals. your babies best gift in life is you as a mother. trust the drs and nurses to know how to prioritize the needs of both their patients.
let me guess? 1st baby? as the mother of the 4 best kids in the world ( who knew they all belonged to me!! lol ) it doesnt matter what your birth plan is, it will change. no matter how it changes, you will love your little one like no other, and they will turn out just as good as had the birth plan had worked to a t. they wont remember the erythromycin ointment in their eyes and they will still bond with you just the same.
i hope you dont think i am coming across as sarcastic---really i love the idea of a mom who cares so much for her baby that she is making these plans. mother hood is full of plans changing, that is rule #1 you need to modify, adjust and role with it.
best of luck!!!!
there is nothing in your birth plan thats unreasonable and, in fact, these requests should be the norm whether a mother has a baby in a hospital, birth center, or at home. i disagree with most responses that racingmom4 provided-- not evidence-based.
I honestly do not know what people are supposed to do in this situation, since once it's done it can't exactly be reversed.
wulfbourne
5 Posts
I had read, probably by someone here, that even if I don't have STD's the erythromycin ointment was still a good idea due to just the general level of germs in the hospital. Does anyone have any information about this? If I was having a home birth I would refuse it, but I'm worried about hospital germs. Also, I don't want to put anyone in a bad position as far as disobeying hospital policy.