HypnoBirthing® UK

[Magz Parmenter]

Could we get some people posting their versions of Birth Plans? We have just done ours and thought it would be good to get feedback from others about what they found helpful and what they might leave out. I am not sure the best way to post ours though, it's a Word document.

Magz

[gordon_mullan]

Could we get some people posting their versions of Birth Plans?...I am not sure the best way to post ours though, it's a Word document.Magz

Hi Magz

Easiest way is just to copy and paste the text into your message on here. Highlight all the text in the document (by pressing Ctrl-A), then copy it (Ctrl-C), then create a new message here, and paste it in (Ctrl-V).

You can then highlight bits e.g. headings, and click on the 'B' at the top of the message to make the bold, or 'u' to underline, etc.

Hope that helps.
Gordon

[Magz Parmenter]

BIRTH PLAN FOR NAMRATA MAGDALENE PARMENTER

Due Date: 30 May 2004
Patient of: Mr Olah
Scheduled to deliver at: Warwick Hospital

12 May 2004

Dear Mr Olah, Midwives and other Maternity Unit Staff:

We look forward to sharing our upcoming birth with you.
We have created the following birth plan to help you understand our preferences for our upcoming labour and delivery.
We fully understand that in certain circumstances these guidelines may not be followed, but it is our hope that you will assist us in making this the experience that I and my husband hope for. We are open to any interventions that become medically necessary on the day.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please let us know.

Sincerely,



Namrata Parmenter


HYPNOBIRTHING

Hypnobirthing is a form of pain management that uses self-hypnosis techniques (aided by my birth companions) which are designed to make labour and delivery as natural and gentle as possible. As the clinicians involved in our birthing experience YOU have a very important role to play! The following are a few guidelines for you that will assist us greatly during this very special time in our lives. We thank you for your support and encouragement. We couldn’t do this without you!

Music- We will be bringing some relaxation music that we have practiced our hypnobirthing techniques to. This is a very important part of the process, so we hope that we may be able to go straight to a labour room on arrival (or soon after) rather than staying in the shared labour ward cubicles to allow us to begin the hypnosis process.
Environment- Please keep lights dim and the room as quiet as possible. Only necessary hospital staff please, limit to one student midwife.

VERY IMPORTANT
During hypnosis, the mind becomes very suggestable, and as such, we request that staff refrain from using any language using words such as ‘pain’, ‘hurt’, hard labour’ or any suggestions of pain experienced. Instead, please use words such as ‘pressure’, ‘tightness’, ‘surges’ (instead of contractions), ‘birthing’ (instead of delivering).

Birthing Companions
· Chris (my husband)
· Sue (Mum)
In the event that it becomes medically necessary to reduce the amount of people present, I request that Chris be with me at all times.

Induction
We request considering induction only if it is medically necessary.
Please use the following induction methods in order of preference:
· Prostaglandin gel
· Natural means- reflexology, nipple stimulation, walking, acupuncture etc
· Syntocin (ONLY AS A LAST RESORT)- Please remove drip as soon as labour is started.
PLEASE DO NOT ARTIFICIALLY RUPTURE THE MEMBRANES UNLESS THERE ARE SIGNS OF FOETAL DISTRESS.

Slow/Stalled Labour
Unless there is foetal distress, please allow natural oxytocin stimulation to restart labour (including sleep which is sometimes needed by the birthing mother).
Please try to limit any reference to ‘moving things along’.

Monitoring
No internal monitoring in the absence of foetal distress.
Continuous EFM is acceptable, ONLY IF MEDICALLY NECESSARY.
Please keep vaginal examinations to a minimum.

Anaesthetic/Analgesics
Please do not suggest anaesthetics or analgesics unless we request it.
If required, please use in order of preference:
· Gas and Air
· Pethidine
· Epidural (ONLY IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES)

Movement during Labour
We fully appreciate the benefits of keeping active during labour and plan to stay as active as possible, but request the freedom to choose whether to walk and move around or not walk and move around, depending on my state of hypnosis and medical circumstances.

Delivery
Even if I am fully dilated, (and assuming my baby is not in any distress), I would like to try to wait until I feel the urge to push before beginning the pushing phase.

Cutting the Cord
PLEASE ALLOW CHRIS TO CUT THE CORD
Please allow the cord to stop pulsating on its own before cutting it.


Following Birth
We would prefer skin-to-skin contact with the baby for as long as possible, including delivery of the placenta and any tissue repairs.

Unless there is an unusual situation please perform APGAR and other evaluations of the baby while we have skin-to-skin contact, with both of us covered by a warm blanket.

If the baby requires medical treatment and must be taken from me, please allow Chris to accompany the baby at all times.

Please allow physiological third stage, delivery of the placenta without introduction of medications unless medically necessary.

I would like to see the placenta after it is delivered.

I plan to breastfeed, so unless there is a medical need, please do not give my baby any bottles or dummies (including glucose water or plain water) without my consent.

[Lindsey Lloyd]

I took a birth plan but also information about hypno-birthing as alot of midwives still don't understand the concept.
This is what I took with me:-


Hypno Birthing

Hypno? As in hypnosis?
If you’re like most people, you’re probably thinking "HypnoBirthing®? Does that mean the person is hypnotised? Yes - but hypnosis is almost certainly NOT what you think it is.

Unfortunately, stage and television hypnosis has given many people a very negative and mistaken view of hypnotherapy in general.
You probably think of a stage hypnotist (as opposed to a hypnotherapist) making people eat a lemon, talk in Martian or believe they are naked in public. Not a very appealing idea for most people, I'm sure you'll agree!

Clinical hypnotherapy, and HypnoBirthing®, means you are always in control, and aware of what is going on. It’s a feeling of relaxed concentration, rather like when you are absorbed in a good book.


So what is HypnoBirthing® about?

Hypnosis is a naturally induced state of relaxed concentration - a state of mind and body in which we communicate suggestions to our subconscious mind. This part of our mind influences what we think, how we feel and the choices we make. It can actually control pain.

There is no magic to achieving success with self-hypnosis. Almost anyone who chooses to can reach deep relaxation and redirected focus. When having a baby with Hypnobirthing®, the mothers experience will be similar to the daydreaming or focusing that occurs when you are engrossed in a book or staring at a fire. She will be conversant and in good spirits, totally relaxed, but fully in control.

She will be aware of her body's contractions but will be able to determine the extent to which she feels the surge. She will experience the birth in an atmosphere of calm relaxation, without the fear and tension that causes pain. Her body's natural anaesthesia (endorphins) will replace the stress hormones that create pain.

Instead of her husband or partner being a helpless onlooker, they become a central part of the birthing process, helping them to stay calm and focused on the techniques they have been taught.


Where does it come from?

HypnoBirthing® is based on the techniques of an English physician, Dr Grantly Dick-Read, the pioneer in the field of natural childbirth, and whose principles are the foundation of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT).

HypnoBirthing® was originally established in the United States by Marie Mongan. Her book “HypnoBirthing® - A Celebration of Life” was first published in 1989 and you can see the main US site at www.hypnobirthing.com, with lots of great birth stories!

Already well established in the US, and into in its fourteenth year, the HypnoBirthing® methods are now being taught here.



On the hypnobirthing course I learnt the following:


• Relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques to take me through each stage of labour.
• Many visualisations to enable me to work confidently with my body.
• Body positions, breathing and massage techniques for a more comfortable labour.
• Fear release methods to overcome concerns about giving birth and parenting.
• Hypnotherapy skills to build confidence and calm, so you can look forward to the birth.
• The creation and control of the body's own natural anaesthesia.
• The source of the myth that pain must accompany a normal birth.
• Why women in some other cultures give birth almost entirely free of discomfort.
• Methods to release fear and tension which often contribute to a long, difficult birth.
• How the body is designed to work in neuro-muscular harmony in labour.


Birth Plan

Pre-admission

Not to be induced if I go over my due date unless an unusual amount of time has elapsed or there is a medical urgency.

To remain at home as long as possible before going to hospital.

Hospital

To return home until labour progresses further if examination reveals less than 4 centimetres dilated.

To eat and drink in labour.

To be able to play music from my own battery operated player.

To use a birthing pool if possible.

To use hypno-birthing techniques taught to me by a qualified instructor.


During labour

Dim lights if possible, own music, minimum hospital staff.

Staff to refrain from any references to “pain”, “hurt” “hard labour” or any other suggestion of pain being experienced.

To allow labour to take its natural course without references to “moving things along” No intervention to speed things up unless medically necessary.

If labour stops or stalls to be allowed to rest or walk around until labour starts again.

I may want to move around so please do not link me to a continuous monitor unless medically necessary for the safety of my baby.

No suggestion of pain relief unless requested.


During birth
I would like to be in an upright position.

To allow natural birthing instincts to facilitate the decent of the baby, as much as possible using hypno-birthing breathing techniques.

To birth with gentle encouragement during the final pushing stage WITHOUT loud coaching.

To have the baby wrapped lightly in a blanket and placed straight on my tummy.

Breastfeeding to take place as soon as possible.


Unforeseen problems

If the baby becomes distressed please discuss thoroughly the best action to be taken.

In the event of medical intervention, I would still like to use my hypno-birthing techniques and play my music to help me stay calm and focused.

Staff to still refrain from any references to “pain”, “hurt” “hard labour” or any other suggestion of pain being experienced.


Notes

I would like my parents and sister to be allowed to see me for a few minutes even if visiting times are over as they will have travelled a long way to see me

[Emma-Kate Lanyon]

Just wanted to say thank you for everyone who has posted a birth plan. I am about to start writing mine and have found seeing someone Else's example really useful.