My Elected C-Section Birthing Wish List

Hey Lovely Lady,

We’ve put together this Birthing Wish List Template for you lovely ladies that are electing to have a c-section. Have a good read of all the PDF’s found in Your Beautiful Birth Resource Centre especially the one called ‘C-Section Information’ and create your Birthing Wish List from what’s relevant and right for you and your baby’s needs.

Some of the things in this template will apply, others will not; just use it as a guide. Amend, add and edit as you see fit and share it with the people who will be present at the birth.

It would be really beneficial to have your birth partner included in your planning stage so they know what you prefer, understanding their role as birthing support and can action important decisions as and when they arise.

Anything you are unsure of then please consult your midwife healthcare professional, antenatal teacher or one of us in the LushTums Your Beautiful Birth Private Facebook group.

In our experience, when a mum and her birth partner have consciously prepared for birth, has felt empowered to ask the right questions and made decisions from a place of true awareness, the birthing experience is viewed as an empowering, beautiful and awe- inspiring time!

A useful tool to apply to all the content presented to you or any research you undertake personally, and crucially when you need to make any choices during birth is

B.R.A.I.N:

B = What are the BENEFITS?

R = What are the RISKS?

A = What are the ALTERNATIVES?

I = What does your INTUITION tell you to do?

N = What are the outcomes or possibilities if we do NOTHING?

When faced with a decision, or when at a crossroads, take a moment to ask yourself and/or your midwife/doctor questions based on the above, to help you make informed choices.

My Birthing Wish List

Name: .........................................................

Due Date: ....................................................

Names & Contact Number of Birth Partner:

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

Do you want them with you at all times?......................................................

What relationship are they to you?..............................................................

Do you have any particular needs? Religious, dietary or disability

requirements:...........................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

Before Baby’s Birth

We would like to visit the operating theatre.

We would like to have a description of all that happens in theatre, who will be there, and the role of each person.

I would like to meet the midwife who will care for me in theatre / bring my own midwife (or doula) with me.

We would like to have the consent form explained to us.

I would like/not like to go into labour spontaneously.

We would like my birth partner/partner/doula to stay throughout.

I would like my privacy and dignity to be respected at all times.

I would/would not like to carry out shaving myself at home.

I would like shaving to be kept to a minimum.

I would like a wet rather than a dry shave.

Pre-op

I would like to walk into theatre.

I would like the IV in my left/right hand.

I consent to the insertion of the urinary catheter before the anaesthesia is in place.

I would like the insertion of the urinary catheter done after anaesthesia is in place.

I would like to know exactly what is going on as and when it is happening.

During the birth

I would like my birth partner/husband / partner / doula / friend to be present all times.

I would like my birth partner to stay with me even in the case of general anaesthetic. It is important that the birth of our child be witnessed by a family member even if I am not in need of support at that time.

I would like my privacy and dignity to be respected at all times.

I would like low lighting.

I would like this music to be played.....................................................................

We would like/would not like to have a commentary of what is happening up to and including the birth.

I would like to have the curtain up at all times.

I would like the curtain to be dropped for the moment of birth.

I do not want to have a curtain blocking my eye line at all.

I would like to have a mirror to see what is happening.

I would like photographs / video to be taken of the birth.

We would like the theatre to be as quiet as possible at the moment of birth.

I would like to be listening to my music when my baby is being born.

If possible, we would like the lights to be turned down for a few minutes at the moment of birth.

I would like a delay in cord clamping or as much of my baby’s blood swept into them as possible.

I would like to have a lotus birth so please keep the placenta attached to my baby.

I would like my birth partner to cut the cord.

We would like to discover the sex of our baby ourselves.

I would like my baby lifted out and onto me straight away without cleaning or doing the AGPAR test.

I would like my baby lifted out and onto me straight away, I am happy for you to clean my baby first and do the AGPAR test.

I would like my birth partner to carry my baby out of theatre.

I would like to put our baby to my breast whilst the operation is in progress.

Please do not lift out (exteriorise) my uterus for stitching.

Please do not use staples to close my incision. I would prefer double suturing of the uterus with dissolvable stitches, and steri-strips to be used in place of the staples.

We would like our baby to stay with one of us at all times.

If I cannot have skin to skin with my baby immediately then my birth partner will do that until I can take over.

Placenta

I would like to see my placenta and have it explained to us.

I would like my placenta to come home with us.

I would like my placenta go to medical research.

I would like my placenta to be disposed of for me.

Vitamin K

We do / do not consent to Vitamin K injection.

We would like it orally/by injection.

Multiple birth –

We would like both/all of the babies to be taken to special care together / If one baby needs special care and the other(s) don’t we would like the well baby(ies) to stay with me until we leave.

Emergencies

I or my birth partner / doula / friend will discuss all eventualities and make decisions as and when they arise. Please share any concerns with us as soon as they arise. It will help us to know the answers to these questions:

1. What is wrong?

2. What do you suggest and why?

3. What would be the possible outcomes/benefits/risks with this intervention?

4. What happens if we do nothing?

5. Are there any alternatives?

6. How much time do we have to make a decision?

We want a healthy and happy baby and mother and so we will be guided by balanced, informative advice.

Unexpected Situations

I would like to be consulted if my baby needs to go to special care.

I would like skin to skin happen with.........................................................until I am ready to take over.

I do/do not wish my baby to be cleaned before I meet them.

I intend to breastfeed my baby so no milk supplements.

I am happy for my baby to be given milk supplements until I can breastfeed.

I would like my birth partner to go with my baby if she/he needs to go to the special care unit.

In the post-natal ward

I want the catheter & IV removed as soon as possible so I may get out of bed & start moving around.

I would like to be able to eat as soon as possible after delivery.

I would like to be offered regular pain relief which does not conflict with breastfeeding.

I would like to be offered pain relief that does not make me feel drowsy.

I would like our baby with me at all times unless I request otherwise.

I would like to be present for any paediatric examinations / the hip test.

I would like to be present when our baby has a nappy change or bath.

I would like my baby to sleep in my bed.

I would like my baby to sleep next to my bed.

I would like help and support with how to meet my baby’s needs.

We would like our other children to visit as soon as possible after the birth.

I would like to be consulted as to when I should be discharged from hospital.

Feeding

I wish to breastfeed as soon as is appropriate

I would welcome the help and support to breastfeed

I wish to bottle feed as soon as appropriate

I wish to part breastfeed part bottle feed

I wish to breastfeed with my own expressed milk

We do not want our baby to be given any artificial milk

I intend to bottle feed on demand / I intend to breastfeed on demand

Any Other Comments:

I do/do not wish students observing or helping

This is a sample birth plan for those that are planning an elected c-section and should be adjusted to meet the needs of each individual couple. Every hospital differs so please feel empowered to ask the questions that will help support you in having the beautiful birth you deserve.

Remember, “Everything has a place” and while we can account and make plans for almost all of our life when it comes to birth there comes a time when we simply have to let go and surrender. Please reach out if you need to, to the other ladies in our group or to myself Trish or my sister Clare, we are here to help.

And we would love to celebrate you and your little one so if you would like to share a pic and your birth story inner private group then please do.

All the best x