What are your 3 top priorities for care during labor and delivery??

Question

Hey everyone, I’m 36 weeks and as close as it’s getting I’m making out my birth plan. My
OB gave me a sheet listing specific about what I want for my birth plan. One of the questions on the sheet states “top 3 priorities for care during labor and delivery”:
So far I have vaginal delivery without an episiotomy unless necessary
Receive an epidural for pain meds.
I’m stuck on what I should put for the last. Any suggestions?? What are your priorities for care during labor and delivery??

Answer

delayed cord clamping maybe? it actually wasn't on my radar at the time but my doctor did it because it's supposed to be good for you. Might just be standard practice now. I'm not sure!

Answer

If nothing resonates with you, just have 2. I promise docs and nurses will be thrilled to have fewer instructions. 😂 But also don’t pressure yourself to have more “musts” in your head. They could actually make you more stressed during labor, especially if something changes while you’re in the hospital and the plan has to shift. On the other hand, you might not have considered preferences about comfort (food, drink, music, clothing, etc), position (I’ve heard laboring in your back is awful for most people), who is in the room with you (or who is definitely not), instruments used to assist in getting the babe out, pictures/video taken or not taken during labor or after, or what happens immediately postpartum (cord cutting, cord clamping, cord blood storage/donation, antibiotics and vitamin k shot, heel prick tests, skin to skin contact, breastfeeding, bathing baby, etc etc). There’s so much in there, so don’t go down the rabbit hole on it stressing yourself out or anything.

Answer

Mine are:
Keep top or bra on at all times during labor, I'm a modest person and this is really important to me
Avoid episiotomy 
Go to C Section if baby is in distress, don't wait or debate
Those are my top 3

Answer

This is mine

Answer

Mine would be:
-no wires (IVs or medication of any form)
-need to be in birth tub!
-eat drink whatever I want😂
I’m having a natural birth with a midwife so some things are automatically understood like delayed cord clamping, immediate skin to skin... I think they also let you eat but I put it in there bc no way am I going hours without food or drinks while I’m laboring!

Answer

Skin to skin was important to me. But I think that’s the standard now. Idk, it was at my hospital so my wants lined up with their standard of care in that respect.

Answer

I put no forceps

What are your 3 top priorities for care during labor and delivery??

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