Mother-to-be: Jenn Pearson
Partner-Coach: Joe Pearson
Support Person: Holli Jones
Due Date: 08/27/98
Midwife: Nyasha Bonner
Place of Birth: West Paces Medical Center

We are delighted to share the experience of our baby’s birth with our family, our midwife, and the staff of West Paces Medical Center. We have done everything possible to keep this pregnancy healthy and low-risk and to be prepared for a natural birth experience using The Bradley Method. Thank you for being a part of this special event.

Because we are planning a natural, unmedicated birth in a home-like setting we would like to request one of the birthing suites. During the first stage of labor, I would prefer to be able to move around, change positions, take a bath, etc., and would prefer to have intermittent monitoring of my baby using a doptone. I would also like to be able to eat and drink as long as I am comfortable doing so. We prefer to use natural methods of pain management, such as relaxation, massage, and heat or cold packs rather than any kind of medication. Please do not offer pain medication; if we want it we will ask for it. During this stage, we would also like to keep vaginal exams to a minimum.

During the second stage, I would like to be able to choose positions and change positions as is necessary or comfortable. I would prefer to tear than have an episiotomy, but please use compresses, massage and positioning as needed. We request that vacuum or forceps not be used to deliver our baby. We would like to wait to cut the cord until after it has stopped pulsating. If it is necessary to repair the perineum after the baby is born, I request local anesthesia.

If we are making progress in labor and there is no sign of distress, please let us continue with our natural plan even if it takes longer than is normal.

Once our baby is born, we ask that all procedures be done in our room and that there be no separation of mother and baby. We wish to breastfeed immediately and exclusively and request that our baby receive no pacifiers or glucose water. We ask that our baby not receive eye ointment or a vitamin K injection.

In the event that a Cesarean Birth becomes necessary, I would prefer to be as awake and alert as possible (with epidural anesthesia) and for Joe to be present in the delivery room. If that is not possible, we wish for Joe to be able to see and hold our baby immediately after birth and not to be separated from the baby at all. I would like to have a hand free to touch the baby. We wish to take pictures and possibly videotape the moments surrounding the birth. I would also like breastfeed as soon as possible in the recovery room.

In the event that our baby needs special care, we would still like to be able to breastfeed as soon as possible. We wish to be able to visit our baby at will and to hold and care for the baby as much as possible. If the baby is transported to another facility, please move us as soon as possible.

This birth plan is intended to express the preference and desires we have for the birth of our baby. It is not intended to be a script. We fully realize that situations may arise such that our plan cannot and should not be followed. However, we hope that barring any emergencies, you will be able to keep us informed and aware of our options. Thank you again for being a part of this special time in our family!