Lamaze Magazine 2009

Anticipation Pregnancy By Charlotte De Vries Birth Day, Your Way Carefully consider your wishes—then let them be known. your body life Wtoithfeel in controland ityour changing in profound ways, isn’t always easy as due date EnvironmEnt You probably already know where you’ll have your baby, but you can still shape that environment so it becomes a private, safe space where your voice will be heard and your choices will be respected. Choose a few ground rules, such as closed doors, restrictions on who can come in and out, and a minimum number of machines. support tEam Do you want a doula? Will siblings be present? The people who will be with you to offer support during labor and birth should be central to your plan – their job is to make you feel confident, comfortable and safe. Share your desires clearly. remember that what is obvious to you is not necessarily apparent to them. pain rEliEf There are many natural ways to cope with the valuable and important pain of labor. Simple measures like walking, movement, massage and aromatherapy are noninvasive with no risk to you or your baby. remember: Pain is central to the design of birth – it is not an unfortunate side effect. express how you would like to manage it and consider the natural, safe alternatives to anesthesia. Trust your ability to cope with the pain. frEEdom to movE moving around as you wish and choosing your own positions for pushing is important. make it known if you’d prefer to forgo machines, monitors and drugs. photo: bananastock/alamy Make extra copies of your birth plan for your partner, doula, health-care provider and every key person involved in the birth. approaches. Creating a birth plan helps you make decisions early on and build confidence before labor and birth. Your plan is a source of strength and inspiration, not a rigid map of what must be done. it isn’t about checklists or completing a form. every pregnancy and birth is unique, and one plan does not fit all. Sift through information from health-care providers, classes, books, friends and family, and get to know your options. Keep an open mind and a peaceful, positive outlook. a plan isn’t any guarantee that your birth will go just as you envision it. Plan for the unexpected. Consider these key factors: sample birth plan We are open to whatever our labor brings and are writing this birth plan with the understanding that every labor and birth is different. In our desire to have the safest, most memorable and happiest birth experience possible, we have listed our preferences. We ask for open communication and complete information, and thank you in advance for your cooperation. 1. Do not offer me pain medication. I will request it if I want it. 2. Permit my husband and doula to be present at all times. 3. Provide only intermittent fetal monitoring. Here’s an example of one woman’s wishes and preferences that may help guide you as you design your own birth plan: 4. Let labor begin on its own. 5. Give me the freedom to change positions as needed in labor and while pushing. I want to wait to push until I feel the urge. 6. Maintain a quiet room with no excess hospital staff. 7. Use interventions (IV, episiotomy, Pitocin, etc.) only if there is a medical indication. 8. After birth, immediately place the baby onto my abdomen. 9. My husband will cut the umbilical cord. 10. Perform initial care of baby while baby is on my body. 11. Permit breastfeeding only – no bottles, pacifiers or formula. 12. Allow rooming-in with baby, and perform all exams of baby in our presence. mEEting baby Your early moments with your newborn are just as important as your labor and birth. This is intimate time to connect and bond. if mother and baby are well, hospital routines and procedures can wait. Protect the first moments you meet and marvel at each other as you begin your lives together. | lamaze magazine 2009 lamaze.org http://www.lamaze.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Lamaze Magazine 2009

Lamaze Magazine 2009 Contents Essential Lamaze for Pregnancy Making Connections Body Beautiful Birth Day, Your Way Mother Knows Best Essential Lamaze for Birth Supporting Cast Labor Day Position Statement Comfort Zone Intervention Intelligence The Waiting Game Essential Lamaze for Parenting Nursing School Reality Check Sleep Tight Unforgettable

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