One of the things I often see missing from birth plans are considerations for your newborn. There is so much emphasis on coping with labor and the birth itself (rightly so!), but we often neglect to plan ahead or think about what happens to that sweet baby of yours after they exit your body. Believe it or not, you have options regarding newborn procedures too! And it's absolutely essential that you include these in your birth plan AND let your birth team know in advance. Unless you want someone else making those decisions for you in the moment.
I talked about this in my most recent Instagram Live session on "Things to consider when birthing in a hospital" (go check it out here if you haven't already, it's under my story highlights from 1.30.23) and several of you messaged me afterwards asking if I could put something together in a little blog post, so here it is!
Something I see often when a baby is born in a hospital is that when the baby comes out, there are a LOT of hands in the pot (for lack of a better phrase). Meaning, once your baby is born, they have a care team as well, who are usually eager to chart APGAR scores and vitals and do all the things. So you go from having your own birth team to now having a medical care team for your newborn because they are new a patient.
Here are a few things to consider:
Skin-to-skin contact - Pending there is no medical indication or emergency, would you like immediate skin-to-skin contact and for how long?
Do you want your baby immediately wiped off? Do you want vernix rubbed into your baby's skin or wiped off?
Who is going to catch your baby? You? Your partner? Provider?
Cord clamping - When? Who cuts the cord?
Newborn vitals and APGAR scores can be done on your chest and usually don't NEED to be done right away. Where would you like these procedures to take place? On you, your partner or the warmer?
Eye ointment and pokies - what would you like to complete? Would you like to wait? Decline? What does your state require? Do you meet the metrics that prove these things beneficial for your infant?
Are there any religious or cultural practices you would like to include when welcoming your baby earthside?
Circumcision? Yes/No? When?
There are a LOT more things that go into newborn considerations when birthing in a hospital and sometimes it can feel overwhelming when you're just starting out. A good doula can help you navigate it and help you learn more about what options you have. I'm all about unbiased, evidence-based information and leaving space for YOU to make choices! I offer birth planning as part of my services as a birth doula and LOVE educating families on what options are available to them. They weren't lying when they said "knowledge is power."
I hope you found this helpful, or it at least got your wheels turning. Contact me if you would like to set up a free consultation!
Peace out,
Doula Nicole
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