My Birth Plan
Baby due: 23rd March 2010 - My baby arrived 27th March
Home Water Birth

Hi Midwife, Welcome!
This is our first child and a very sacred experience for us. I want to direct as much as I can and know that I cannot control my childbirth experience. I believe this to be an initiation and understand that this is good pain. A woman becomes an elemental force when labouring and this force is communication between mother and baby, to help guide one another. I embrace going with the flow, and trust this will take the course it needs to, whichever way that may be. I will be flexible and open to what needs to happen and know only too well tha nature is out of our control. Once this birth plan is respected, I will feel much better if need to deviate fom general guidelines. Let me know right away if you thin we need to change plans and please explain thoroughly to Jon and I why the change is necessary. Where safe and possible for my baby and me, I would like to exhause all natural options first. I realise that emergencies can happen, and that in the case of an emergency, the health care team will take the best steps for our new baby and me. I trust my body and the support I have and want to enjoy this is much as possible. I hope you enjoy it too! And of course, make yourself at home and help yourself to food and drinks.

Labour and Delivery
Support: My Fiance Jon, (dad) will be my birthing parther and with me through labour and delievery. My Mum, Sharon will also be present through labour and delivery and is another big support to me. My dad, Mick and 2 sisters, Lauren and Sinead may be in the living room waiting - these are the only feel people I fee comfortable having here during this time.

Pain relief: Ideally, I would like a natural birth without any medication or interference. Having a home birth encourages this, which is good. I will be using music, movement, chanting, breathing, visualisation, massage, flower remedies and varoious other positive mind and body techniques to cope with pain and discomfort. And of course the Birthing Pool. I want to try and reserve as much energy for the labour. Please do not offer my Gas and Air or any other pain relief.

Ambiance: Soft lighting with a crystal in the birthing pools..Heated aromatherapy oils and incense will be used for aroma.

Positions: I am very open to suggestsions for positions the midwives may have for labour. Instinctively, I feel that crouching or being on my knees would suit me but really have no idea and willing to try anything.

I won't be embarrassed so I hope you won't if I am in the water naked. I will labour naked. I know you've seen it all before.

Food and drink: I'm thinking I will need my strength so hope to eat lightly and drink when needed. Chamomile and Raspberry leaf is what I may want and if cold, grape juice is wonderful with loads of ice. Lots of ice in the freezer.

Photography: Yes - please take photos. Mum will make sure I look semi-decent.

Delivery / New Baby

Delivery:  I would like to birth in watere. I would like Jon to catch our baby as he ( I am sure it's a He) comes into the world - for his hands to be the first to support our baby. I would like skin to skin contact with our baby straight away. I would like if any checks on baby were dne while baby was lieing on me and for the cord to be left on for at least 10 minutes. Jon will cut our baby's cord.

Birthing Placenta: I would like to wait to brith this naturally.

Breastfeeding:  I will be breastfeeding exclusively and happy to welcome guidance and advice. I am aiming to have my baby lie on me skin to skin and watch to see if he makes his way to my breast. I know this is instinctive to babies.

Thank you!
Natasha