Birth Plan for NMCP

Birth Plans get you to think about the process of labor and delivery so you can make informed choices to make the experience better. Just about every prenatal book or website has a birth plan or instructions to develop one. However each facility is different and each birth is unique, thus some choices are limited or not available.

The following is a birth plan tailored to the capabilities and policies of the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. This web page presents that plan. Explanations of certain sections are in italics and may provide links for more information. You can print out a copy of the birth plan without the explanations for your own use.

Picture Policy: NMCP is creating a written policy covering this. Photographs are OK. Videotaping is based upon the decision of the healthcare provider but generally discouraged. Dad's job is to take care of mom, not be a camera man.

Supplemental food policy: Mom is only allowed to have ice chips during labor. She will receive an IV to keep her hydrated and receive medication. Her stomach needs to be empty in case the doctors need to perform an emergency Caesarian Delivery. In an emergency they will use gas anesthesia. One of the possible complications of using gas is the patient vomiting and that material getting into the lungs (aspiration). This causes pneumonia.

NMCP Birth Plan

( Birth Plan Form in pdf format)

Initial Check List Stuff

_____ I have completed the pre-admission paperwork. Follow this link for more information about this pre-admission

_____ I have arranged transportation to NMCP to include directions and a detailed strip map if necessary to include drop off location and parking.

_____ All bags are packed and ready no later than ______________ (date). Follow this link for a recommended packing list

_____Child Safety seat purchased, installed and inspected no later than _______date. Follow this link for free inspection locations

_____ I have written down and placed in my bags, all the information necessary for the Red Cross send notification of the birth to the father and an e-mail address for PAO to send pictures. If the father is deployed you should plan ahead to let him know. While you may be able to use other means to contact him, the Red Cross provides verified information through the command to the father. Follow this link for more information about Red Cross notification When Dad is Deployed

· I will go to the location when the contractions are _________ apart. Discuss this with your doctor ahead of time

During Labor

· I want the labor environment to be (check all that apply)

____Dim lights ____Peace and quiet
____Music ____Wear my own clothes

You have to bring your own music and player. The labor rooms have TVs with videotape players but not DVDs.

· I am bringing the following items and use the following techniques to help relieve stress and pain. Breathing techniques help during the actual contractions. You need to relax and rest between them. Different techniques work for different people so you need to experiment before labor to discover what works for you. If it is listening to music, what music. If it is touch massage, do you want a massage oil. If focusing, what objects or thoughts help you focus. The Prepared Childbirth Class goes into this in detail and The Guy's Guide to Labor Coaching describes many of these techniques.

I plan to use the following techniques to relax between contractions

I plan to use the following techniques to cope with the contraction.

· I want access to the following methods of pain relief.

___No medicines
___Medicines to take the edge off the pain
___IV medicines
___Epidural
These will be discussed when you are admitted to Labor & Delivery

· I want to try these labor positions

___on back
___hands and knees
___birth ball
___shower
Lying on your back in a bed is the worst labor position Walking around is encouraged and available. Sitting on a birthing ball sometimes helps. Showers are available to help with relaxation

· I want the following people present during labor and birth? You can have at least one support person with you all the time and several visitors in the room. Visitor may be asked to leave depending upon the medical situation.

· I want the following people excluded during labor and birth? The labor and delivery staff can prevent people from visiting you and refuse to transfer phone calls. However, you must identify them (and provide a reason?) Please tell the staff of any protective orders.

· The labor coach is expected to do the following things during labor and birth. You need to talk about what you want your labor coach to do during labor. Some of this will change during labor. The Prepared Childbirth Class discusses this. The Guy's Guide to Labor Coaching provides some guidelines as well as the book DoD/VA Pregnancy and Childbirth on pages 41-50

· Special things to pack are:

· I want to try the following positions to give birth

____Semi-sitting ____Reclining on side
____Squatting ____Modified Squatting
____Hands & Knees ____Using Foot rests
Each position has advantages and disadvantages. Worldwide the most common delivery position is squatting. A squatting bar is available to help. This gets you to think about what you may want to initially try. Pick up a copy of Lamaze Parent in the OB Clinic for a discussion of each position.

During delivery I want the lights ____ dim or ____ doesn't matter.

I want to see the birth using a mirror __yes__no A mirror is available.

I want pictures of the birth __yes __no taken by _____________

I want to videotape the birth __yes __no taken by _____________

If you want pictures or video, who will take them. The labor coach should focus entirely on you.

Immediately after the birth I want the following:

Baby Care

___Place baby on my stomach/chest immediately after birth
___Place baby in a warmer and clean him up first

Cord cutting

___Staff cuts cord ___Labor coach cuts cord
___Mom cuts cord ___Cord blood donation
NMCP does not have a cord blood banking program but will assist with other programs. You can obtain more information on this subject at http://cordblood.com/

Bonding Time

___Immediately after the birth for _____ minutes
___After exam and medical care

Prophylactic Eye Treatment

___Delayed for bonding ___Immediate ___None *
*This decision requires prior arrangements and may require legal releases

Vaccinations

___Give All ___None *
*This decision requires prior arrangements and may require legal releases

Feeding baby

___Breast feeding only
___Bottle feeding only
Pacifiers ___Yes ___No

Circumcision

___None ___Outside Hospital ___In Hospital

If my baby is sick I would like

___Breastfeeding as possible
___Breast pump available
___Help care for infant

___If a Caesarian Delivery is required, I request surgical birth control (i.e. tie my tubes) *
*This decision requires prior arrangements and may require legal releases

__________________________ will help me with baby care in the hospital. NMCP does “rooming in” which keeps the mother and baby together in the same room all the time. The parents are responsible for caring for their child.

Planning for After the Birth

I can call ______________________________for advice/help after going home?

I plan to take ______________ maternity leave.

I choose ___________________________ as my method of birth control following delivery.

To print a copy of the birth plan form open the pdf version, then print.

NMCP Birth Plan Form

pdf version