Birth Preferences

Here are our birth preferences as we shared them with our Midwife. Many of these are standard things that the Midwives and Mount Auburn practice. For instance, Mount Auburn has a 1.2% episomoty rate and doesn't routinely do IVs upon admission.

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Dear Healthcare Provider,

My husband, John, and I are excited to be delivering our first child with you at Mt. Auburn. We feel comfortable that we've chosen a place where our hopes for a natural and unmedicated birth will be possible. We understand not everything we hope for can be accommodated and last minute challenges will make some of these impossible, but we greatly appreciate your attention to our needs and concerns.

Preadmission

• We request to delay labor augmentation or induction as long as medically feasible and to use natural methods as a possibility for inducing labor.

Admission

• We request to decline IV preparation upon admission to the hospital
• We request intermittent monitoring after initial admission monitoring
• We request telephone calls not be relayed, only messages
• We request a quiet labor room filled with soft light and music and subdued tones and good vibes about the birthing process.

During Labor

• We respectfully request that staff refrain from references to “pain, hurt, etc.” and any offer of medication or labor-enhancing procedures unless requested.
• We request that labor be allowed to take its natural course without reference to “moving things along” or augmenting labor and be allowed the privacy to pursue natural oxytocin stimulation should the need arise.

During Birthing

• We request to use Hypnobirthing techniques and prompts to deliver the baby and request coaching and other prompts be abstained from.
• We request to utilize birthing positions and other natural means to minimize use of an episiotomy.

After Birth

• We request that Dad help receive the baby.
• We request that baby be brought to Mom’s chest for direct skin to skin contact as soon as possible.
• Dad would like to participate in cutting the cord.
• We request that cord blood be collected for donation. Unless we deliver between 3PM on a Friday and Sunday evening.
• If donation isn't occurring, we request that cord cutting be delayed until it has stopped pulsing. If donation is occurring we request that the cord cutting be delayed as long as possible and still be able to retrieve enough sample.

For Baby

• We request vernix be allowed to naturally absorb into the skin
• We request that our baby be breastfed only and pacifiers and bottles not be used.