Draft birth plan

Just started a draft birth plan. Trying to keep it to one printed page. Also will probably make just the 'During labour' part of the plan into 3x5 (instead of full letter) so its easy for the nurses to scan through.
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Our Birth Requests Mom – Smitha ; Dad – Guru

Thank you for taking the time to work with us and our birth plan. These are our preferences; however, we are open and flexible to any medical intervention that may become necessary in the case of a medical emergency.

We are looking forward to having a natural childbirth. Please do NOT offer any pain medications. We will let you know if we need it.

Before Labour
• We would like to avoid artificial induction of labour by Pitocin, etc and prefer to be offered natural choices of induction instead.
• In case of rupture of membranes, we would like to delay artificial induction of labor for 24 if mother and baby show no signs of infection.

During Labour
• We want vaginal exams kept to an absolute minimum.
• We do NOT wished to be offered a c-section if the reason is ‘Failure to progress’.
• Smitha would like to be able to drink and eat light snacks at will.
Natural labour progression
• We would like to be able to walk around and move as needed in labour. To help with this we prefer a hep-lock.
• We would like to have the baby monitored intermittently (20 min on, 40 min off)
Labor Room
• We request that staff honor the need for quiet and refrain from any references to “pain” “hurt” “hard labor” etc.
Episiotomy
• We wish to avoid an episiotomy
• We request your help with gentle pushing at crowning, perineal massage and warm compresses
Pushing
• No counting during pushing??? .. (Need to reword this better)

After Delivery
• Please wait for the umbilical cord to stop pulsing before clamping it.
• Dad would like to cut the umbilical cord.
• We would prefer for the placenta to be delivered without the use of pitocin.
Breastfeeding
• Please place the baby immediately on Smitha’s abdomen to bond and nurse.
• We will be exclusively breastfeeding. Please do NOT offer bottles, pacifiers, etc.