Hypnobirthing and My Birth Plan

The pregnancy was going very well and I started planning for the delivery. Who would have thought? I read a lot about it and one of the things that stuck with me was a phrase from a book that said "people research more about their next holiday destination than about birthing their baby" (or something along those lines). It is true. No wonder so many women are unprepared and struggle. You wouldn't sign up and run for a marathon without preparing, would you? Why would you not prepare for the most life changing experience of your life?

I read a lot and I found about Hypnobirthing, a wonderful technique for giving birth that I adopted. To read more about hypnobirthing you can just serach on google  but the one particurlar tracks that I followed were from Katharine Graves and you can find more about it here: https://www.kghypnobirthing.com/

I also went on a course in English in Sweden 

I had a wonderful experience, which I will describe in the next post, but below was my Birth Plan in preparation for birthing my first child. 

MY BIRTH PLAN
environment
- I would like to stay at home as long as possible
- I would like to give birth in the hospital
- I prefer a private room in the hospital
- I would like to have subdued lighting if possible
- I would like to use my Hypnobirthing techniques
- I would like to listen to music during labour

companions
- I would like my partner to be with me during labour
- I would like my partner to count my contractions and log them in a journal

fetal monitoring
- I would like to avoid continuous (CTG) or internal monitoring
- If possible, I would like to avoid a vaginal examination

photos & videos
- I would like to have pictures taken after the birth

induction
- I would like to avoid my waters being broken to induce labour
- If possible, I would like to try natural methods to induce labour

pain relief
- Please don't offer any pain relief, unless I ask for it
- I do not want to be offered pethidine or diamorphine for pain relief 

tearing & episiotomy
- I would like to avoid any episiotomy, unless it is an emergency
- I have been practicing perineum massage to avoid an episiotomy

during labour
- I would like to be able to move or walk around freely
- I would like to be free to eat and drink when I want to
- Please remind me to drink regularly and use the bathroom
- I would like to try various birthing positions
- I would like to use mother-directed breathing down and not forced pushing

caesarean birth
- If possible, I would like to avoid a caesarean birth
- If an emergency c-section is required, I would like to stay awake
- I would like to be offered a second opinion, if I need a caesarean birth
- I would like my partner to be with me, if I have a caesarean birth
- I would like to have the screen lowered, so that I can see the delivery
- I would like the baby to be given to my partner immediately after delivery
- Do not perform a hysterectomy, unless it is the only option to save my life

delivery
- I would like to push when I feel like doing it rather than being told when to push
- I would like to be free to decide my own position for labour

birthing equipment
- I plan to use equipment such as a mat or a beanbag during labour
- I plan to use a birthing chair
- I plan to use a squatting bar
- I plan to use a birthing pool. If it is not available, I would like to have access to a bath or shower.
- I plan to use a labour ball

after delivery
- We would like to have skin-to-skin contact and time to bond with the baby as soon as possible after delivery
- We would like to pick up our baby and determine the sex ourselves
- We would not like any Vitamin K to be given to our baby, unless our baby is born by forceps, ventouse / vacuum extractor or caesarean
- If possible, I do not want to be separated from my baby after delivery
- My partner will stay with our baby if there is an emergency
- If possible, I do not want to have cord traction, syntocinon injection or manual removal of the placenta, unless there is an emergency

umbilical cord
- I don't want the umbilical cord to be cut immediately, but want to wait until it stops pulsating, so that the baby gets all the remaining cord blood
- I would like my partner to cut the umbilical cord

feeding
- I would like to breast feed my baby as soon as possible after birth

 

 

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