BIRTH PLAN A birth plan is a list of your priorities and wishes for birth and the time immediately afterwards. No one knows in advance what a birth is going to be like, so it's best to be prepared for everything and explore the positives of each scenario. However stating your wishes in writing can give you a better chance of getting what you want than playing the obediant patient. A birth plan is especially effective if you feel strongly about not recieving some of the procedures which are routinely done in hospitals or by caregivers, eg: episiotomy, 3rd stage hormone injecton, artificial rupture of membranes etc. It also makes things easier, if your caregiver is not the same person who has dealt with your antenatal care, to explain what you'd prefer.Don't worry if it doesn't go exactly to plan, you never know what you'll want at the time.That birth pool you wanted to labour in might just end up not being what you wanted, or it might be fantastic .

This was my birth plan..all in all it went brilliantly.We didn't bother with TENS this time round and as i was kneeling up baby was delivered behind me (with me helping to guide her out)and then given to me through my legs.Kay was also visiting her friend so she met her sister next day. *Type Of Birth: Gentle, natural homebirth. *Birth Partner: Gary (father) *It is important to me to be active during birth, and intend to let my body & instincts dictate my movements. * I would prefer internal examination to be kept minimal. *I do not wish to be coached to push, i will push as my body dictates. I would prefer to be merely advised by midwife in attendance, and manage my own labour. *We wish to be kept fully informed of all developments & share in discussion and decisionss concerning my own and babys progress. Final decision should fall on me. * Pain relief: Early labour_ Relaxation and bath Later: TENS, partner aided, position change. Please do not offer me pain relief. I wish to be lucid and clear during birth. * Episiotomy: to be avoided, even if this results in natural tearing. * Either Gary or myself would like to be aided in ' catching' baby as he/she is delivered. * Baby is to be delivered on to my stomach. * Cord should be left intact until it has ceased pulsating at which time gary would like to cut it. *I do not wish to have my waters broken artificially. * 3rd stage of labour should be allowed to occur naturally without artificial stimulation. Baby will be put to the breast asap after birth to establish breastfeeding and stimulate physiological delivery of the after birth. * Examination of baby should be kept to a necessary minimum, as we place enormous importance on constant skin to skin contact of a newborn with its parents. * All necessary care should be taken by anyone in attendance to allow a gentle and peaceful arrival of our new baby. * Our eldest daughter ( allowing for birth occurring outside bedtime hours) will visit her new sibling as soon after 3rd stage as posible. *Catheterization is to be avoided , i will empty my own bladder as necessary. .