Options for your Birth Plan
Starting Labor
When it comes to starting labor, there are many options available to you. Would you like to wait for labor to start on its own (spontaneous)? Or do you prefer to have labor started through either natural or medical stimulation techniques? In some cases your health care team may recommend starting labor medically to prevent problems. Here are some things to consider about the birth plan options you may have for starting labor.
Managing Pain
Your may want to consider what method of pain relief you would like to use and when you would like pain relief. For non-medical pain relief ideas, check the list of comfort measures. Keep in mind that your decision in this area has tremendous impact on your other options. Using medication can reduce your mobility, require IV fluids and continuous monitoring, and prevent you from having clear fluids during labor. Here are some things to consider about the options you may have for managing pain.
Monitoring of Labor
There are several ways to monitor the health of baby and mother during labor. However, othere dicisions you may or circumstances of your labor may reduce the variety of options you have. Pitocin, Epidural and Spinal require continuous fetal monitoring, and depending on the situation, your midwife may recommend internal monitoring. Here are some things to consider about the options you may have for monitoring of labor.
Labor Environment
For most women, the environment in which they give birth has a tremendous impact on their ability to remain relaxed and comfortable while laboring. There are many options available for the environment, and many options will still be available if you choose to use medical interventions. Here are some things to consider about the options you may have for the labor environment.
Pushing
There are different styles of pushing, different positions for pushing and you have options for how you would like to prevent damage to the perineum. Here are some things to consider about the options you may have for pushing.
Cesarean
Having a cesarean does not remove the fact that you have choices for how things are handled. Here are some things to consider about the options you may have for cesarean surgery.
Newborn Care
You do have options about how your little bundle of joy is cared for while in a hospital. Never forget that you are the parent, and as such it is your responsibility to make decisions that affect the health and emotional well being of your child. Here are some things to consider about the options you may have for newborn care.
What would you like next?Learn comfort techniques for labor. Explore the process of labor. Find products to help you enjoy pregnancy and prepare to give birth.. Read research about birth options. Find natural birth resources in your area. |
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