birth plans

You don't need a birth plan to survive.  But, if you have specific requests and/or are a plan-it-out kind of person, you may want one.  

I followed a layout of a birth plan I found online.  I left out the stuff that I really didn't care about or that didn't need to be included.

Here was my birth plan for Duke:

ATTENDANTS

I’d like the following people to be present during labor and/or birth:

Husband - Colt Westbrook

AMENITIES

I’d like to:

Take pictures and/or video during labor and delivery

Once I’m ADMITTED, I’d like:

My husband to be allowed to stay with me at all times

To have a heparin lock

To walk around and move as I choose

PAIN RELIEF

I’d like to try the following pain-management techniques:

Bath/shower

Breathing techniques/distraction

Massage

I’ll request pain medication when I need it

I’d like to go without an epidural, but will request it if I’d like it

PUSHING

When it’s time to push, I’d like to:

Be coached on when to push and for how long

Try different positions for pushing and birth

VAGINAL BIRTH

During delivery, I’d like:

To give birth without an episiotomy (my doctor said she wouldn't do this anyway)

After birth, I’d like:

To hold my baby

To breastfeed

My partner to cut the umbilical cord

C-SECTION

If I have a c-section, I’d like:

My partner present at all times during the operation

POSTPARTUM

I’d like:

To make my decision later depending on how I’m feeling (on whether or not the baby stays in the room 24 hours or only when I’m awake/needing to feed)

FEEDING ISSUES

I plan to:

Breastfeed exclusively

CIRCUMCISION

I want my baby to be circumcised at the hospital

I gave one copy to my doctor and kept one copy in my purse as the time got closer.  I was lucky that everything pretty much went as planned.  As of now, there isn't anything I would change for next time ... other than maybe being in labor less than 20 hours.  That would be nice. :)