Birth Plan

         Cary and Ale Hollingsworth’s Birth Plan

For Martin Memorial Hospital

Due to the positive reputation of this hospital we drove an hour to have our first birth here.  We know you are equipped to handle any situation and we took an extensive childbirth course (Brio Birth) to prepare for most situations as well.  Our birthing philosophy is: as long as mommy and baby are fine we plan to stay status quo (pregnant or labor naturally).

We want to enjoy our birth experience and stay at the hospital. We would like to have a medication/intervention-free labor and delivery.

Labor and Birth 

·      Please assist us in different laboring/birthing positions. But Ale would like to pick the one(s) that feel best for her.

·      Keep vaginal exams to a minimum.

·      We prefer intermittent fetal monitoring, and no IV line, unless Ale becomes dehydrated.

·      Cary would like to assist Ale’s labor and help catch the baby.

·      Please allow Ale to push spontaneously unless there is an emergency.

·      We prefer to tear than cut. If stitches are necessary please squirt Lidocaine on the area before administering the shot.

·      Please do not offer any drugs for pain relief or labor induction unless medically necessary.

·      Please delay cord cutting and clamping until it stops pulsing.

Postpartum

·    We plan to breastfeed immediately after delivery. Please allow for immediate Kangaroo Care unless there is an emergency. We would like to see a lactation consultant.

·    Please no eye ointment and vitamin K shot.

·    Prefer routine check ups and evaluation while baby rests on Ale’s abdomen.

·    Please delay at least one hour before administering Hep B shot.

·    We would like to give baby her first bath once Ale feels better.

Cesarean Emergency Plan

·    We plan to have a VBAC for our second, please perform transverse incision.

·    Cary would like to cut the cord. If cord-cut/clamping cannot be delayed, please, squeeze the blood into baby before clamping.

·    If Kangaroo Care for mom and baby is not possible please allow Cary to hold her skin-to-skin.

·    Cary will stay with baby at all times.

NICU Emergency Plan

·    Ale will pump/breastfeed – please no formula, sugar water or supplements, pacifiers or artificial nipples.