BIRTH PLANS

The philosophy of Village Obstetrics™ is one of deep respect for the natural process of pregnancy and birth.

Yet, as expert doctors, we recognize that carefully selected treatments are sometimes needed. We call our approach minimally invasive obstetrics. MIO™ is doing the least necessary interventions to achieve a healthy pregnancy and birth. Sometimes no intervention is needed, and other times quite a bit is required, but our approach is always gentle and respectful. Our philosophy of care has yielded outstanding results and patient satisfaction.

Writing a birth plan can give you a sense of ownership over the process.

A birth plan is more of a wish list than anything else. If that mind-set can inform your approach, it will make all the difference. Go short, aim for a single page. Focus more on the spirit of the birth than on the technical aspects.

WRITING YOUR BIRTH PLAN

Here are some of the requests we often see, plus some we recommend.

an unmedicated birth/an epidural available to me immediately/the chance to go as far as possible without an epidural and then have one available.
a medlock for the IV so I can move around easily.
my birthing ball with me at the hospital.
access to nitrous oxide (sometimes called gas and air), if the hospital uses it.
skin-to-skin contact immediately after delivery for as much of the first hour as possible, with newborn procedures performed while the baby is on me, and others delayed till after the first hour.
help nursing as soon as possible.
delayed cord clamping.
in the event of a C-section, as much help as possible to have skin-to-skin contact in the operating room and possibly breastfeed. I don’t want anything to interfere with the safe performance of surgery, but I would like:

1. 1. the IV placed so I can bend an arm to hold the baby.
  2. the EKG leads on my back or side instead of on my chest.
  3. the pulse monitor clipped to my ear instead of my finger.
  4. my arms free of the gown.

At about 32 weeks, bring the birth plan to your appointment. Hospital policy may knock out a few of your asks. Edit accordingly, and then you have a short, sweet, well-thought-out document to bring to the hospital on the big day.

BIRTH PLANS

The philosophy of Village Obstetrics™ is one of deep respect for the natural process of pregnancy and birth.

Writing a birth plan can give you a sense of ownership over the process.

WRITING YOUR BIRTH PLAN

Here are some of the requests we often see, plus some we recommend.

Adapted from The New Rules of Pregnancy book, by Dr. Jaqueline Worth of Village Obstetrics.

VILLAGE OBSTETRICS

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212-741-2229

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