BIRTH PLAN FOR NEVAEH FAITH MROTZ Written by her mother
	Nevaeh is a miracle and gift from God.  Her birth is an occasion for rejoicing such, even if she is stillborn, or dies soon afterward.  She is our third child, and was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 during my level II ultrasound and amniocenteses done at 18 weeks.  We understand that this syndrome is not compatible with a long life.  If she makes it to birth, we may only have a little time (if any) to spend with our baby.   Understandably, we want that time spent with her to be precious.  We know that circumstances beyond everyone's control may prevent or change some of our wishes we have listed below. 1.) We wish to have a vaginal birth, and want as little pain medicine as possible.  I would like to be alert during and after the delivery.    I received a shot of Nubian with my past deliveries, and I did not like the way I felt.  I also request no IV's or an episiotomy unless necessary. 2.) If Nevaeh has a heartbeat at the start of my labor, I do not wish for constant fetal monitoring.  With our understanding of her heart problems, the monitoring will probably show she is in distress.  Instead, please just do spot-checking; we would like to know if there is a loss of a heartbeat. 3.) We have not decided if there will be anyone else, besides Augie, present during the delivery.  It will be decided sometime before the birth. 4.) We also ask that Nevaeh be placed immediately on my stomach/chest after her birth, and that all unnecessary procedures be delayed (if possible) for a later time.  If any procedures must be done, we would like them to be done while she is being held by either of her parents. 5.) We would like the umbilical cord to be cut by either my husband (Augie) or myself. If Nevaeh is stillborn, we want her to stay with us for as long as we feel necessary.  We ask that you give us privacy to grieve, without abandoning us.  Please encourage us to do whatever feels right.  We would also like to bathe and dress her, as we feel ready to do so, as a family. If Nevaeh is born alive, we request comfort care only, no heroic measures to prolong her life.  We would like her to be given routine care that would be given to any normal newborn (i.e. suctioning, rubbing, oxygen).   We request that Nevaeh be warmed up using warm blankets and skin-to-skin contact.   If she is interested and able, we would also like to try and feed her (drops of breast milk).  We also would like to bathe and dress her, as we feel ready to do so as a family. We are prepared to let Nevaeh go when her time comes, even if it is at the moment of her birth.  Our two children, Desiree and Dylan, are to be the first to have the chance to meet their sister, before the rest of the family.  We ask that our family and close friends be allowed to visit when we are ready for visitors.    We do not want to have set visiting hours, as this may be the only chance the family may get to meet her.  To help us celebrate and remember this special time, we have thought about keepsakes and other things we would like to do.  Here is a list of the things; if there are other things you think we might want, we would be grateful for those suggestions:                              *crib cards                       *hats                              *blankets                         *lock of hair (if possible)                              *hand & foot prints           *bracelets                              *cord clamp                     *lots of pictures                              *molds of hands & feet (we have kits with us)                              *videotaping This is a very difficult time for all of us - including you, as you work to support us and care for us through this part of our journey.  We have tried our best to prepare for this short but precious time with Nevaeh and want to spend as much time with her as possible.  We truly appreciate your help and support, and ask that you understand if we seem indecisive or even angry at times.  We also appreciate and find great comfort in your expressions of grief, be it through tears or even humor.  So please do not hesitate to cry or be sad in front of us, if that is how you feel.  Thank you and bless your hearts for all your kindness while caring for our family.
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