Kalysta's Birth Plan

Kalysta is a miracle and a gift from God. Her birth is an occasion for rejoycing. Please treat it as such, even if she is still born or dies soon afterward. Please refer to her as Kalysta and share our joy and sorrow with us. We have made an informed decision to carry her to term and keep our baby as long as possible. Our wish is that if she dies, Jenn or Mike are holding her. As a result, we ask that all possible procedures be done in our precense or delayed until her condition is deemed stable. We also appreciate and find great comfort in your expressions of grief, be it through tears or humor, so please do not hesitate to cry or be sad in front of us, if that is how you feel.

LABOR

Jenn would like to have an epidural, dependent on anesthesia consult regarding platelet count. No episiostomy is to be performed unless absolutely necessary. If Kalysta does not handle the labor well, anesthesia should be consulted to determine whether a spinal or epidural can be performed. If general anesthetic is the only option, we wish to continue with a vaginal birth so that Jenn can be a witness in case Kalysta's life is short.

DELIVERY

We desire to mechanical ventilation at any time and no CPR at any time. Immediately after birth, perform standard suctioning, rubbing, and vigarous drying to aid in her respiratory and cardiac efforts.       a) If no respiratory effort, give her to mother and father.       b) If she breathes well, weigh and measure, then give her to mother or father.       c) If she shows some respiratory effort but has trouble breathing, institute PPV.  If after five              minutes she makes no effort, stop PPV and give her to her parents.           If Kalysta begins breathing effectively, oxygen may be administered to ease breathing. Comfort care only We desire that she be baptized as soon as possible after birth, private arrangements have been made. No procedures are to be done without the presence of the parents. We desire full rooming in ( no NICU nursery). We desire to bathe Kalysta ourselves. We desire that our family be allowed to see her ASAP for as long as we wish. If possible we would like Kalysta to be breastfed. If a feeding tube is needed we agree to a NG or an OG tube. We would like to have Kalysta's pictures taken ASAP.

In Case of Death:

If Kalysta dies during our stay, we would like to have time together as a family alone. We desire to bathe and dress her ourselves. We would like as many keepsakes as possible: Bassinet card, hospital ID bracelet, hand and foot prints, lock of hair, and photos. There will be no autopsy performed on her body and she will not go to the morgue. Arrangements have been made with the funeral home for transport.

We appreciate your help and support during this time.