Do you guys read birth plans?

mark_LD_RN · Jun 4, 2002

I am working on them, at least they dont insist on them now. they gave different rationals, some claim it helps get labor going, others say women have fears of defecating while pushing so they suggest an enema to clean them out. I havent given an enema or a shave in a long time now,:)

i think docs need to reevaluate a lot of their old practices.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 4, 2002

Yes I read and respect birth plans to the utmost. I use 'em as a tool to help me understand what the childbirthing family needs and wants of me to serve them best. It answers many questions I would ask anyhow. I tell them I will stick to it as much as I possibly can but remind them that giving birth can be unpredictable---- and--- if I/we have to deviate from the plan, we will let them know why and how and work with them to ensure a safe outcome for both mom and baby.

I think communication, open communication, both ways, is essential. Too bad, a birth plan is perceived as needed by people to make them feel we will honor their wishes and listen to them! JMO.

sandstormsdust · Jun 6, 2002

Shay and Fergus:

"As far as refusing certain things, like e-mycin for the eyes, that is usually discussed with the pediatrician and a waiver must be signed, since the end result could mean blindness. "

In my own defense... u gals and guys could teach me alot.... but....

All these things are under policy and prodecure... some of the policies are out dated based on previous statistics completed many years ago...

A child going blind without the e-mysin is only a small percental of the actual population...

When the doctors give the immunizations for babies and children... it is only on a probability..... how many children get the shots and come down with the actual sickness later in life... How many arn't given the shots and have 100% good health all there life.

If they are going to the time and trouble of putting e-mycin in the eyes.... why not give a bottle of thrush med also... DIDN'T both the Canada and US gov. already state that "breast is best"?????? Yet... lets do a statistic on how many woman and girls stop breast feeding because thrush hurt them to much...

So long as a woman has a lady partsl birth then the possibility is there that the baby will have thrush....

__________

Albait... I would love to have all my own questions answered... but where would I go to find those answers..

mother/babyRN, RN · Jun 8, 2002

Rarely if ever is there blindness and never have I seen thrush a major difficulty after birth. Thrush is an unusual problem and rarely (at least in our area) a reason to stop or interfere with breast feeding. Candida can also be linked to autoimmune problems in the mom. Maybe where ever you are there is something going on, or a bad batch of emycin. This, in 13 years of OB practice, is the first time I have ever heard of such a rampant problem with thrush OR difficulty with the eye ointment...

mother/babyRN, RN · Jun 8, 2002

Hey Mark, not too long ago, we had a newer doc insist on the enema thing as you mentioned, because thats how he was taught. We never do that and once, while I was teaching a patient to push, he overheard me tell the patient that she might be disgusted if she had a bowel movement while pushing but assured her that we "silly" night nurses would be overjoyed because that would mean she was pushing correctly and that much closer to having her baby. When she protested further I laughingly mentioned that we got to wear the silly scrubs and chose to work the night shift for the priviledge of being able to teach her how to have a great delivery. She thought that was neat and was able to push correctly. The doctor FINALLY came around as he saw the difference between how the patient had been pushing and how she eventually learned to do so. He EVEN admitted that he had a lot to learn and had learned most of what he now knew from the nurses. He smiled and told me not to tell anyone but as this is an anonymous post, I feel his secret is safe with me. And, as far as birthplans go, I also concur that communication and cooperation go into following one. I use them as tools to what families want also, but as has often been pointed out here, I am candid that occasionally things do not go exactly as planned, although I commit to the attempt to follow along with the family desires as much as I can...

HazeK · Jun 13, 2002

Birth plans are great!

They give me an idea of where the patient/couple are 'coming from'!

DO bring several copies!

DO review your birth plan with your physician!

DO understand that a birth plan is a list of your

preferences...not a list of demands! A list of

demands will put everyone off and set you up

for defensive behaviors.

DO understand that the baby is in control, not you! Ex. decels or too big=c/s; PROM=antibiotics, etc. Reality: most nurses will do their best to make your experience the very best it can be!

Congratulations!:kiss

Haze

maryloufu · Aug 7, 2007

I had a birth plan with my first child- my doctor read it over- but it was pretty much out the window because I had preeclampsia and had to have a section. I had in my plan that I did not want a certain nurse in post partum taking care of me. What I did not put on it was why- she was the wife of my ex boyfriend who I think cheated on me (with her of course). The doctor was like- I am not putting that on your chart. I understand now- why he wouldn't want to do that. But- of course she ended up being my nurse and came to assess me when I was in there a week before with protein in my urine. I am not sure why she did not refuse to take me as a patient since we had a torrid history. After she assessed me she ask if I was uncomfortable and did I want a different nurse- I was very nice and said yes I was uncomfortable - so I was traded to someone else. When I ended up having dd she came in and asked if she could look at her and I said sure. Sorry to go a little off topic- but it all seems peculiar to me now that I am a nurse. There was a little questionaire that asked about my preferences re: breastfeeding, pacifiers etc. But at that time it did not seem like our hospital was very on board with the birth plan.

CEG · Aug 8, 2007

Shay and Fergus:
"As far as refusing certain things, like e-mycin for the eyes, that is usually discussed with the pediatrician and a waiver must be signed, since the end result could mean blindness. "
In my own defense... u gals and guys could teach me alot.... but....
All these things are under policy and prodecure... some of the policies are out dated based on previous statistics completed many years ago...
A child going blind without the e-mysin is only a small percental of the actual population...
When the doctors give the immunizations for babies and children... it is only on a probability..... how many children get the shots and come down with the actual sickness later in life... How many arn't given the shots and have 100% good health all there life.
If they are going to the time and trouble of putting e-mycin in the eyes.... why not give a bottle of thrush med also... DIDN'T both the Canada and US gov. already state that "breast is best"?????? Yet... lets do a statistic on how many woman and girls stop breast feeding because thrush hurt them to much...
So long as a woman has a lady partsl birth then the possibility is there that the baby will have thrush....
__________
Albait... I would love to have all my own questions answered... but where would I go to find those answers..

I think the Thrush is more related to the antibiotics given for Group B Strep than anything else... it just makes sense. Section moms also get antibiotics so that is probably another link. I don't think it's really a lady partsl delivery issue, but an antibiotics issue.

I do agree that it is a major barrier to breastfeeding- so painful!

eden · Aug 9, 2007

Deleted: didn't realize how old this was