1. 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

2. Hospital Birth Modern medical equipment Medication available
Recommended for high risk pregnancy
Delivery by doctor OR Mid Wife
*** why? Medical care

3. Birthing Center Home like setting-usually on hospital grounds
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

4. Home Birth No birth risks for mother or fetus
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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. Regional Medication Spinal Tap Epidural ADVANTAGE Rapid pain relief
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
Increases energy during delivery
DISADVANTAGE
Position for injection
Spotty pain relief
Decrease in blood pressure
Headaches