I don't know when I became so jaded- I had a birth plan with my son...every single thing went the opposite of what we had wanted (induction, ITN with subsequent pukefest and finally stat section for non reassuring heart rate and suspected chorio). But when I see that a patient has a birth plan I cringe! Maybe it's because every couple I've encountered with a birth plan have turned out to be the biggest PITA's I've had to deal with as patients- this last couple...sheesh, the dad interrogated my every action as though he thought I was going to hog tie his newborn daughter and assult her with formula and vaccines.
Their birth plan read as though it was copied out of a book...one of those ever popular "the medical industry and hospitals are EVIL and nurses are bullies and will bully you to do everything you don't want to do!!" Why are nurses and hospitals getting demonized so much? Do they really think we went into nursing because we like to harm babies and mothers and pi** off patients?
Ok, back to the birth plan thing: I've read plans that state "We require a private room" (good thing we have private rooms). "We demand immediate skin to skin and breastfeeding initiation" (gee, I was looking forward to poking your baby and letting him/her starve). "We do not want ANYONE in our room during labor except our accupuncturist and chiropractor".
I suppose these "requests" are not totally unreasonable, maybe it's just the way the plan is worded, and the defensive vibe I get from the patients who copy them from a book or author them themselves.
I am a L&D nurse and I also teach a pre-natal parenting class. I have seen many a nurse cringe or roll their eyes over a birth plan--in fact, I might have even done it a time or two myself! However, this is how I explain it to the first-time parents in my classes: 1. This is a hospital setting, therefore, there are rules and regulations that are there for your safety. Some things may not be negotiable.2. Please make a plan! But before you go print something off the Internet, do your homework and then gather your info. Talk to your OB provider, take a hospital tour, take a birthing class, read about the subject. Talk to your coach/SO about what you feel is really important to you, then talk to your OB provider again!3. While making this plan, remember to include the words 'flexible' 'if' and 'just in case' somewhere in there. Also remember: "Life is what happens while we are making plans!".4. You will remember the birth of your children forever. Try to make it meaningful for YOU. Not just based on how someone else thinks it should be.5. Trust your body to do the labor part and stay out of it's way! Trust your medical staff but never stop asking questions.
I loved my birthing ball during pregnancy and still do! However, our Dept. Director and Risk Manager have had them outlawed at our hospital. I still encourage pregnant moms to use them for comfort at home.
"Force" is a strong word. Circumcision is not the only thing that can put a baby at risk for a bleed. Head trauma at birth is the main reason for Vitamin K. Considering how babies get here, they are all at risk for that possibility.
I love the peanuts! So much safer too :) and I agree, the only time I've ever strongly recommended Vit K right after birth was with a failed vacuum that became forceps (they had been going to decline, we compromised with during the first feed).
Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
"Force" is a strong word. Circumcision is not the only thing that can put a baby at risk for a bleed. Head trauma at birth is the main reason for Vitamin K. Considering how babies get here they are all at risk for that possibility.[/quote']
It is a strong word and when we tell a patient they must accept vit k we are forcing it on them if they do not want it. Head trauma is normal to some degree. A typical lady partsl delivery is something our bodies are design for. What makes us think this is necessary in every single delivery? Vit k doesn't come without risks.
I, as a patient, a nurse and most importantly as the mom should always have the right to decline treatment I do not feel is in my child's best interest. I think a state forcing, which it is, vit k I completely wrong and beyond their right as a government. Strong word for a strong action.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
It is a strong word and when we tell a patient they must accept vit k we are forcing it on them if they do not want it. Head trauma is normal to some degree. A typical lady partsl delivery is something our bodies are design for. What makes us think this is necessary in every single delivery? Vit k doesn't come without risks.
I, as a patient, a nurse and most importantly as the mom should always have the right to decline treatment I do not feel is in my child's best interest. I think a state forcing, which it is, vit k I completely wrong and beyond their right as a government. Strong word for a strong action.
Right, and if the birth process itself was such a risk to babies, then we all would have died out as a species before Vitamin K shots were invented. But somehow, we all survived.
The birth process is not a risk factor. The things WE DO to babies during the birth process and the first few days after birth before they make their own endogenous Vitamin K is what the risk is.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
If they're planning on exclusively breastfeeding, I like to try to avoid giving anything by mouth in order to preserve the natural gut flora. Of course, if there is any supplementation, it's a moot point.
Mermaidblues
8 Posts
I am a L&D nurse and I also teach a pre-natal parenting class. I have seen many a nurse cringe or roll their eyes over a birth plan--in fact, I might have even done it a time or two myself! However, this is how I explain it to the first-time parents in my classes: 1. This is a hospital setting, therefore, there are rules and regulations that are there for your safety. Some things may not be negotiable.2. Please make a plan! But before you go print something off the Internet, do your homework and then gather your info. Talk to your OB provider, take a hospital tour, take a birthing class, read about the subject. Talk to your coach/SO about what you feel is really important to you, then talk to your OB provider again!3. While making this plan, remember to include the words 'flexible' 'if' and 'just in case' somewhere in there. Also remember: "Life is what happens while we are making plans!".4. You will remember the birth of your children forever. Try to make it meaningful for YOU. Not just based on how someone else thinks it should be.5. Trust your body to do the labor part and stay out of it's way! Trust your medical staff but never stop asking questions.