Re: birthplans

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What can YOU do? Plenty. 1) Educate yourself, 2) hire a doula - do not let money be an issue as many/most will work with you in regards to finances, 3) talk to your health care provider after you do your reading homework*and express your wishes and see what response you get, and 4) talk to the nurses at the hospital where you will be delivering - find out what is standard protocol and how far you can deviate from that.

Many women are staying home to birth their babies and many of them are doing so because of experiences like you describe. The numbers will continue to rise with Cindy Crawford recently having her baby at home, as had other celebrities. They are trend setters for more than fashion and makeup you know!

Homebirth is fine as long as it is planned with a trained professional and you qualify for a home birth. If you risk out of a homebirth, don't do it alone - birth your baby in the hospital or birth center for the safety of yourself and your baby.

As a patient you have rights. You should be able to go to the hospital and read their info (or call and ask them to mail you a copy) on the patients rights and responsibilities.

Here is the Birth Plan page of links on OBGYN.net's Pregnancy & Birth section: http://www.obgyn.net/pb/links/ptinfo_birthplans.htm

* Recommended reading: any books by Dr. William and Martha Sears, Shiela Kitzinger, Janet Balaskas, Penny Simkin

Feel free to email me privately for more info.

--
Mary Shoup
Pregnancy & Birth Coordinator
mary.shoup@obgyn.net

• Next message: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Re: FINDING A DOCTOR"
• Previous message: Shubha: "Spotting in the first trimester"
• Maybe in reply to: shannanc: "birthplans"