Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital?

• 09-03-2008 9:22 PM

  HeidiJens1 Joined on 11-11-2003 Idaho Posts 760	Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact Ok My subject pretty much asks my ? I'm really wanting to have a natural birth but the only place here to deliver is at a hospital, any ideas about how to get the birth I want? I am gonig to do a birth plan that tells exatly what I want but any other ideas would be helpful too. I am 28 weeks and due nov 24th.

• 09-04-2008 6:14 PM

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  Deon2682 Joined on 03-23-2008 Flagstaff, AZ Posts 253

  Re: Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact Well, first thing is to talk to your doctor that is delivering.  Make yourself clear that you want a natural birth.  You should be able to tell if they will be supoprtive or not.  I am doing a natural birth in the hospital in a few weeks, and so far my doctor and the nurses at the hospital have been very supportive of my decisions.  There are still certain things you may have to "put up with" in hospitals.  One thing I can not get away from here is fetal monitoring.  I do not have to be continuously hooked up to a machine, but they do want a baseline and intermittent monitoring throughout my labor process.  However, I wrote my birth plan and gave it to the hospital, doctor office and my doula.  A doula is a great way to support a natural birth in the hospital!  They are worth the money!  Another thing is to be secure in your decision, be informed of your options and of any medical reasons why intervention may take place.  The more informed you are, the more sure you can be about anything that goes on in the delivery room.  Make sure you have a plan for pain management and consider all possible situations and how you will respond to them/handle them.  One suggestion from my doula and midwife is to labor at home as much as possible-you need to know the stages and signs of labor to safely do this and still make it to the hospital in time to deliver. One last point-when you write your birth plan, be sure to be specific about what you want, but also use language that lets the doctors know that IF there is a medical necessity, you will be cooperative once you have been informed of the issue and have had time to consider the decision involved-this way they take your plan more seriously and don't just see you as difficult to work with. If you are unsure of the cooperation levels of doctors or hospital staff, you may want to consider a home birth-if that is something feasible for you. Good luck!

• 09-04-2008 8:27 PM

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  Nicole in Canada Joined on 07-02-2006 Mommy to Annon Posts 877

  Re: Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact Deon had some great advice! I was able to have a natural birth in a hospital and what helped me was waiting as long as I could before going in to the hospital...when I got there I was 7 cm. Educate yourself as much as you can about all the procedures they may want to do and know what you can do to stall them...ie: if they say you are "failing to progress" and need pitocin...know what positions to get into may help and say you would like to try that first, etc.   Make sure you have a great support person who is ready to help back you up since it is hard to do it alone when doctors and nurses want to intervene and you are in active labor. Go in with confidence and you'll do great!  Good luck :0)

• 09-04-2008 8:30 PM

  In reply to

  HeidiJens1 Joined on 11-11-2003 Idaho Posts 760

  Re: Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact thank you for your great advice! here is a copy of my birth plan. do you think it is good that it covers what it needs to?  I Actually have read up on birth and labor and feel like natural is the way I want to go with this one, mostly based on my 2 previous labors the first one was not good at all the the epi made things worse, with my 2nd labor was so quick that I really didn't even have time for anaepi, the dr almost didn't make it and i was induced in the hospital!  So those are my main reasons, The epi for me csued more problems and I pretty much had a natural one with my second except that I had to be induced. Birth Preferences - Heidi L. JensenDue Date: 11/24/2008 Patient of Dr Burton Scheduled to deliver at Portnuef Medical Center To my birth attendants, I am looking forward to sharing our birth experience with you. I am excited about the birth of our 3rd baby and based on my previous birth experiences and research I have decided that I want to give birth naturally with little or no interventions. I would like all staff to discuss all procedures with my husband, Jeremy and myself before they are performed. I would like to see my chart and the baby's chart. My support person will be my husband, Jeremy Jensen and I ask that any other person asking to see me be told that they will have to wait until after the birth. Sincerely, Heidi Jensen       LABOR I would like to be free to walk around during labor. I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labor.I would like to be able to have fluids and light foods by mouth throughout the first stage of labor.I would like the environment to be kept as quiet as possible. I would prefer to keep the number of vaginal exams to a minimum.I do not want an IV unless I become dehydrated. I would like my husband to be present at all times.I would like people to respect my privacy by knocking before entering the room.No artificial rupturing of membranes without first explaining why and getting my permission. MONITORING I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring unless it is required by the condition of the baby. I would prefer to be monitored using Doppler. LABOR AUGMENTATION/INDUCTIONI do not want labor to be induced until 42 weeks. I would like to avoid induction unless there are signs of fetal distress. Before induction, I would like to try the following natural methods to progress labor.      Relaxation, walking, If augmentation is necessary, I prefer the following methods.      Amniotomy PAIN RELIEFI would like to give birth naturally without medication and will use the following methods.      I would like to use a shower for pain relief.     Relaxation and deep breathing without any coaching. I realize that many pain medications exist I'll ask for them if I need them.     CESAREAN Unless absolutely necessary, I would like to avoid a Cesarean. If my primary care provider determines that a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to obtain a second opinion from another physician if time allows. If a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to be fully informed and to participate in the decision-making process. I would like Jeremy present at all times if the baby requires a Cesarean delivery. I wish to have an epidural for anesthesia so I can view the birth, I would like the screen lowered just before delivery of the baby.I would like to touch the baby as soon as possible. If the baby is not in distress, the baby should be given to Jeremy immediately after birth. EPISIOTOMY I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for the baby's safety.I would like a local anesthetic to repair a tear or an episiotomy. DELIVERY I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth, including squatting. I would like a mirror available so I can see the baby's head when it crowns.I would like the chance to touch the baby's head when it crowns. Even if I am fully dilated, and assuming the baby is not in distress, I would like to try to wait until I feel the urge to push before beginning the pushing phase.I would appreciate having the room lights turned low for the actual delivery. I would like to have the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery. IMMEDIATELY AFTER DELIVERY I would like to have Jeremy cut the cord.I would prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before it is cut. I would like to hold the baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made. I would like to hold the baby for at least fifteen minutes before (he/she) is photographed, examined, etc. I would like to have the baby evaluated and bathed in my presence. I plan to keep the baby near me following birth and would appreciate if the evaluation of the baby can be done with the baby on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation. If the baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, Jeremy will accompany the baby at all times. I would prefer to hold the baby rather than have (him/her) placed under heat lamps. I do not want a routine injection of pitocin after the delivery to aid in expelling the placenta. I would like to delay the eye medication for the baby until a couple hours after birth. I would like to see the placenta after it is delivered. POSTPARTUM Unless required for health reasons, I do not wish to be separated from my baby. I would like to have the baby "room in" and be with me at all times. BREASTFEEDING I plan to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth. Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to the baby (including glucose water or plain water). I do not want the baby to be given a pacifier.   SICK BABY I would like to breastfeed where possible. I would like unlimited visits for the parents. I would like to hold the baby where possible. If it is necessary to transfer the baby to another facility, I would like to follow as soon as possible

• 09-05-2008 12:46 AM

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  BoldBeautifulBirth Joined on 11-08-2005 Puget Sound Area, WA Posts 214	Re: Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact I'm short on time but - GET A DOULA! You can find them for free or at cost... www.dona.org

• 09-05-2008 9:48 AM

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  Nicole in Canada Joined on 07-02-2006 Mommy to Annon Posts 877

  Re: Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact You cover a lot of great points in your birth plan but I think it is too long.  I would suggest shortening it by quite a bit and covering your most important points.  Putting the wants in order of the stages of labor was feedback I got.  I attached my "wish list" so you can see how it read.  Wording is something else that was mentioned as being important.  It was suggested to me to use language such as "I would prefer"..."I would like to request"...."I would appreciate"...rathen than "I would like" all through the letter.  I hadn't really thought about it much but it was suggested that being too forward can rub the medical staff the wrong way. Anyways...here was mine...                                                                       Birth Wish List   Parents: Nicole and Devin                                                   Doctor: Dr. Kennedy    We are very excited to be having our baby at the Rockyview Hospital and look forward to meeting all those who will be helping us during this very special event. To get ready for this day we have been educating ourselves in the Bradley Method of childbirth and have learned ways to bring our baby into this world naturally by having Devin available to mom to all times as the coach during the different stages of labour. We understand that complications may arise and we value and respect the professional judgment of the doctors and nurses involved in our birthing process.  In this event we would appreciate that all procedures be discussed with us thoroughly and that we are given the chance to discuss our decision before they are administered.  All that being said, here are our wishes for this day: First Stage:©       It is very important to us that no pain medications be offered to mom; we will ask if they are needed.©       Being able to move around freely during this time and using the shower would be very helpful to manage the pain naturally.©       We would prefer the amniotic sac to remain intact until it breaks naturally.©       If “failure to progress” occurs, we would like to request that Synto is used only as a last resort and that ARM be done first if any augmentation is needed.©       Use of doptone or intermittent EFM to monitor the baby rather than long term electronic fetal monitoring would be appreciated to allow for more freedom of movement for mom. Second Stage:©       Mom would greatly appreciate being able to move instinctively into different positions to have gravity help out with labour.©       We would prefer a natural tear to an episiotomy and to have a hot oil compress applied to the perineum, we will supply oil.©       We would also ask that everything be done to avoid our baby being born with the assistance of forceps or vacuum.  Once baby is here:©       We would like to have baby placed on mom’s tummy skin to skin right after the birth as bonding and breastfeeding are very important to us.©       If all is well with baby, we would like to request that gentle suctioning is only performed if needed.©       We would prefer to wait until the umbilical cord stops pulsing before it is clamped and Dad will cut the cord.©       Provided there are no complications, we would be grateful to have some quiet bonding time with our new baby before routine newborn procedures are carried out. Thank you in advance for your help in assisting us to achieve our goals and we look forward to sharing this very special day with you. Sincerely,                   Nicole & Devin

• 09-05-2008 9:56 AM

  In reply to

  Nicole in Canada Joined on 07-02-2006 Mommy to Annon Posts 877	Re: Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact PW is changing the layout of the letter for some reason...anyways...it was not one big paragraph and was divided into the stages with the bullets points underneath... :0)

• 09-05-2008 2:31 PM

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  don'tswiminthemainstream Joined on 08-31-2004 Posts 586	Re: Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact  Get a doula!!!!  And then labor at home as long as you can!

• 09-06-2008 6:23 PM

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  HeidiJens1 Joined on 11-11-2003 Idaho Posts 760

  Re: Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact thanks you for responding ladies! I would love to get a doula but there is really no way that I would be able to pay for one right now, we are so tight on money it's not even funny. I a, really hoping to labor at home as long as I can, the only thing that scares me is what if I wait to long, my last birth was only 2 1/2 hours and I was pushing before ht nurses even knew I was close to ready, I didn't even know I was ready till I just had to push all at once, but I do plan on staying home as long as I can.

• 09-06-2008 6:46 PM

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  Pandily Joined on 04-10-2008 Nebraska Posts 161

  Re: Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact HeidiJens1: thanks you for responding ladies! I would love to get a doula but there is really no way that I would be able to pay for one right now, we are so tight on money it's not even funny. I know someone else mentioned this briefly, but there are doulas who will do births for free if you absolutely can't pay anything or offer them anything. My SIL is a doula-in-training and does births for free while gaining experience- so that might be another option- if you could find a doula-in-training. Otherwise I know that the Doula that my SIL 'partners' with, if that's how they'd word it, will write it off on her taxes if a woman really can't pay. Most Doulas are willing to work with you and find something that works- it doesn't hurt to try if it's something you're interested in, and they can definitely help you get the more natural birth you want. Best wishes and hope things go well. I'm due 12/12 and hoping for a VBA2C- and I'm diabetic!

• 09-06-2008 8:09 PM

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  ~Karma~ Joined on 03-12-2006 Nova Scotia; Charlotte May 19/07; #2 Apr 1/09 Posts 1,137

  Re: Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact Nicole - I love your wish list! Heidi - It will be tricky to decide when to go to the hospital when you've had a short labour last time.  That said, short labours are usually very intense early on, and I think if you decide to go when you are finding things quite intense, you'll arrive on time, as long as you don't live super far away.  Sometimes you'll know within 2 or 3 contractions that it is time - sometimes it takes a bit longer.  Follow your instincts and you will be fine.  The biggest thing if you don't feel comfortable leaving it to the last minute is to have a support person who will support you 100% and not let the staff talk you into anything or force you into anything you don't want.  You need someone who very clearly knows your intentions and who can help you deal with the intensity of labour.  I agree that a doula is the best but DH or a good friend might work too.  I didn't fully read your birth plan but I would say putting it in point form and making it as concise as possible is your best chance of getting it read and followed. Good luck and keep us updated!

• 09-07-2008 9:00 PM

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  HeidiJens1 Joined on 11-11-2003 Idaho Posts 760

  Re: Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact thank you so much ladies. I wll have to look into seeing if there are any doulas around here that will work with me on the no money.  I have also been very clear to my Dh of what I want so that he knows and can tell the nurses if they do something I don't want. My birth plan is actually done in point form this site just likes to mess things up. Also I did shorten it up a little sense I realized after reading it agian that there where a few things on ther that the hospital already does.  I think you are right about just following my instincts to know when to go to the hospital.

• 09-08-2008 2:05 PM

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  My3Honeys Joined on 11-14-2005 Arizona Posts 451

  Re: Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact Here is what I would have used if I had delivered in a hospital.  Jocelyn was a home birth, but I wanted a plan just in case something funky happened and I ended up at the hospital.  It was one page long.    Thank you in advance for doing all you can to make this birth the most wonderful experience it can be for all involved.  In order to make this the most enjoyable time for all involved, we have prepared this document so that our wishes can be made known to you. Labor: My goal is to be one of the most low-maintenance patients you have today.  To further this goal, here’s what you can expect from me: I will happily report in once an hour for a few minutes of external fetal monitoring via Doppler.  I will save you the time and expense of inserting an IV or hep. Lock Please do not offer drugs or make comments that I will need them later.  I know they’re there, but do not want them. I will be roaming around the halls since I can’t stand being still while in labor . If I’m not roaming the halls, it’s because I’m relaxing in the tub or shower.  Again, once an hour, I’ll haul myself out for a quick monitoring session. Long labors are quite normal for me, so please understand if I don’t consider any type of augmentation to speed things up, including artificial rupture of my membranes. I figure the entire child I’m about to birth is enough to have in my vagina, so internal exams will be kept to an “as requested by me” basis, and I fully intend not to request many, if any at all. Delivery: Please feel free to remind me to keep my vocal tones low.  This will help me keep my focus, and remind me to blow “Horse lips” to stay relaxed I believe in my body’s signals to push and will be going with them.  Please no “coaching or counting”.  I have long labors, but short transitions.  When I say I’m ready to push, it’s time to rock and roll and birth is usually mere minutes away.  2 of my support team know the signs of impending transition and will come summon you to get ready.  Please believe them when they say it’s about time.  Unless it’s a true life or death situation, NO EPISIOTOMY.  I prefer to tear if need be.  Don’t be surprised if I am on my side with a death grip on the bed rail and refuse to move in order to push.  I’ll have one of my team hoist my leg up so it’s out of the midwife’s way for the delivery. Baby instructions: No Heb B shot.  I understand the importance, and will get it for her, but not before we leave the hospital.  I will not negotiate on this at all. This is a boobie baby.  If the nipple is not attached to my chest, it is not to be given to her. In the unlikely event of a c-section: Spinal over epidural Baby is to be with Jonathan or myself at all times.  He will accompany her to the nursery if need be.

• 09-09-2008 9:37 AM

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  Chamelyan Joined on 10-30-2007 Midwest Posts 79	Re: Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact  Definitely hire a doula, and make up a birth plan that covers all the really important wishes of your birth.  Find a doc or CNM that is supportive of natural birth and tell yourself every day that you can do it.

• 09-11-2008 10:42 AM

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  Deon2682 Joined on 03-23-2008 Flagstaff, AZ Posts 253

  Re: Any suggestions for a natural birth in a hospital? Reply Contact your birth plan looks great-and it is good that your DH is ready to step in as an advocate for you!  if you can find a doula that will do no cost-it would be wonderful-your hubby will still be main support, but a doula is outside the situation and a little less emotionally involved so she can really advocate strongly and inform you and your hubby of options or necessities and you know you can trust her!  My doula here costs $500.00, but she will do deliveries for free if the family is in need-so make sure you call around and ask! Good luck!