I thought I’d publish my birth plan, just in case it supports or affirms someone else one day.
It is my belief that birth is a sacred rite of passage, which generally needs little to no medical intervention. I acknowledge that complications arise, and emergencies can happen. I am not against having help in the result of such an emergency, but I am refusing any intervention during the labour as I know these are more likely to cause labour complications and result in an emergency. I have had a healthy pregnancy and have no reason to fear labour or birth. My desire is a space of calm. We will keep the room dark, there will be candles and music and an altar set up.
I can’t say what I’ll want in the moment, or how I’ll feel. I might be hungry, or thirsty, or instead incredibly nauseous. I might want Jeremy to be right there with me, holding me the whole time, or I might want space to feel out whatever I’m feeling. I might want to curl up in a ball, or I might find the most relief in pacing and moving around. I hope we can all flow in the moment and be ready for changes as they come.
When the midwives arrive, I might feel comfortable enough to say hello, but I don’t want any initial checks. No vaginal exams, no monitoring, no blood pressure - nothing that could remove my trust in myself and my body to birth my baby. If I feel concerned, I will vocalise that and we can take it from there.
The midwives can settle in the kitchen - I would prefer not to be able to hear them if possible.
While questions may be necessary sometimes, I’d prefer to speak myself as little as possible. Speaking puts me in my head and I want to be in my body. That being said, I have affirmations that I am happy to hear spoken to me, and I welcome encouragement to move and breathe.
I know there are situations that are considered dangerous, like shoulder dystocia. If this was to happen, I know there are things I can do to try and dislodge baby myself, but the midwives would be welcome to support this.
There are other situations I do not consider dangerous. I am not worried about meconium and I do not consider this a reason to go to the hospital. I am not concerned by a nuchal cord although I accept help if someone would like to unwrap it when it is visible. I would prefer only Jeremy or my doula to help guide the baby out if it seems necessary.
When baby comes out, I would prefer midwives not to be present. I consider that the most sacred moment and I don’t want to feel that anything else needs to happen other than connecting with my baby. An exception to this would be if baby is clearly not landing Earthside with their breath. I would like to be the first person to pick the baby up and I will do this in my own time, no need to put her on my chest.
I would like at least an hour of skin to skin contact with baby before anything else happens like weighing or measuring her. I would also like to wait that long before cutting the umbilical cord. The blood in the cord can then be tested for her blood type. I do not want any injections to help with the delivery of the placenta - I know this can take time. I would also not like fundal massage. If I am bleeding excessively I have Motherwort tincture for this and I would want to take that before anything else. If this is an emergency I accept support from midwives.
If I need to be transferred to hospital and there is no other safe choice, it is important that Jeremy is present with me wherever possible. He should be involved in the processes.
I welcome support for my senses: fragrance, massage, meditation.
As I write this, I feel the social conditioning of the shame of hoping birth could be this way, and the fear sits in the back of my mind of medical gloves and bright lights and a traumatised little baby that has a difficult entry into the world. This writing serves as an intention, a strong one, and one that I believe is truly possible.