Developing a Birth Plan

Choosing a Healthcare Professional Qualifications – What professional training has the person received? Do I know anyone who has made use of his/her services? Cost – Can I afford this professional? Is this type of service covered by my health insurance or health plan? If not, can I set up a payment schedule? Interpersonal Skills – What kind of “bedside manner” does the person have? Am I comfortable talking to this professional? Am I encouraged to call if I have questions? Location – Is the office located nearby? What are the office hours? Will I have to wait long? Is the professional associated with a hospital or birthing center?

Birth Plan- Who? Obstetrician/Gynecologist  4 years of training in pregnancy, delivery and women health and infertility. Maternal-Fetal Specialist  High risk pregnancy specialist with OB/GYN Family Physician  General medical care for the whole family.  Referral to OB/GYN, only for low risk pregnancy Nurse Mid-wife  Licensed registered nurse cares for mother and fetus  Trained in delivery baby and after care.  Works with doctor, unless complications

Hospital Birth 99% of all births occur in the hospital Modern medical equipment Medication available Recommended for high risk pregnancy Delivery by doctor OR Mid Wife Some hospitals have birthing rooms that are more homier than traditional delivery rooms, you can stay in these birthing rooms from labor through recovery. *** why? Medical care

Traditional Delivery RoomHospital Birthing Room

Birthing Center Certified midwives usually provide the bulk of the care Emphasize low tech approaches to childbirth Better for low risk pregnancies Each center has a relationship with hospital in case an emergency arises Home like setting Medication free Parents have control of process Receive individual care Labor-Delivery and after care in the same room. *** why? Medical care with control and comfort

Birthing Centers

Home Birth Assisted by qualified physician or midwife No birth risks for mother or fetus, typically mother has already been through one complication free childbirth. Labor-Delivery and After care all in same setting Maximum control over birth Share experience with family and friends NO medicine or medical care immediately available May not be covered by insurance *** why? Family environment

Water Birth?!?! Let's Watch

What to consider…. What is your ideal labor environment? –Walk around –Lights –Music –TV/VCR –Bathroom/Shower Who do you want present? How many people are you allowed in the room? –Spouse/Partner –Labor Coach –Doula - provides non-medical support before, after, and during labor. –Friends and Family

Birth Plan Medications Natural Childbirth Advantage ☺No side effects from medication ☺Experience birth and delivery because alert ☺No medical machines to be hooked up to Disadvantage ☺Pain/Discomfort without medication ☺There is a point during delivery that a woman can no longer be given medication (if she changes her mind)

Birth Plan Medications Systemic medication Narcotics or tranquilizer IV into Blood stream or injection into muscle ADVANTAGE  No anesthesia  Takes “edge” or reduces anxiety  Cope with some pain DISADVANTAGE  Doesn’t control all pain  Slows down labor  Could effect fetus or baby

Regional Medication Decreases sensation to specific parts of the body Mother is alert and awake with NO pain waist down Spinal Tap Injected in the dura of spinal cord ADVANTAGE Rapid pain relief DISADVANTAGE Position for injection Harder to push fetus out Decrease in blood pressure Headaches Epidural Injected into sac around spinal cord ADVANTAGE Awake and alert during labor Increases energy during delivery DISADVANTAGE Spotty pain relief Position for injection position Loss of sensation of body Decrease in blood pressure Headaches

Now It’s Your Turn You are to develop your own birth plan. Where would you like the birth to take place? Will you use medication? Who will be allowed in the delivery room? What will your partner’s role be during the delivery process? Do you want pictures or a video recording? EXPLAIN!!!! You will use this to complete the research portion of your project