Pregnancy Info HOME

Just general stuff. What way you would like your delivery to be met ie walking around, birth balls, low lighting, music the use of a birth pool.
What positions you would like to try during labour - standing, squatting, leaning on hubby/partner, all fours etc. Believe me the more you move around the quicker it goes and the less painful!
What your preferences are for pain relief ie gas and air, pethidine, epidural and what you absolutly don't want.
Who will be with you when you deliver.
Whether you want baby placed straight onto your tummy after delivery or if you want her taken and cleaned first.
Who is to cut the cord.
How you want the baby monitored - continuously or by using doppler.
How you want delivery of placenta handled - either medically (through injection of drug) which has less chance of heavy bleeding and is quicker or naturally which can take a lot longer.
Depending where you are, how you would want Vitamin K to be administered - injection or orally.
If there is an emergency through the labour - for instance a c-section is needed then who do you want with you in theatre. If you want to be knocked out for the operation or if you want a spinal so you are awake if epidural hasn't been administered.

Be aware though that the Plan is only that - a plan. It is subject to change at any minute throughout the labour but it gives the medical professionals a chance to know what your preferences are - especially if they are strangers to you. Make sure your hubby/bf/partner is aware of what you want so they can speak for you if you are otherwise distracted!

Another very important question is the episiotomy - do you want to be cut or just tear naturally if it is neccesary. There is a lot of conflicting research on this one, so you may want to look into it - it has a big effect on your recovery and your pain after birth.

Oh yes forgot episiotomy. I had one with my first (due to him being early, 34wks, and needing ventouse to help him turn) and I had a tear with my second and third. I found I actually recovered about the same but the cut was cleaner and a little less painful - possibly because it was straight.