Today I am 38 weeks and 2 days pregnant
With any luck our Rainbow Baby will be here within the next two weeks
David and I have been talking about the birth
I want to try for a water birth again
In fact I want most things to be just as they were with Tilda
David has asked me to review my birth plan
And condense it down into bullet points
So that is what I am going to do
That is what I have done
A Birth Plan for our Rainbow Baby
Jennie Henley
We would like all staff who may come into contact with us to be aware that within the past 18 months we have lost our daughter Matilda Mae to SIDS and so we may be even more emotional than you would expect us to be while our new baby arrives. We are happy to talk about Baby Tilda.
This plan is a reflection of my wishes and plans for birth but is in no way inflexible. I understand that for many reasons my plans may need to change to suit the needs of myself, and our baby.
My Birth Partner
I would like my husband David to be with me at all times, offering support, encouragement and to keep me focused on what is important. In addition should I not be in a position to make an informed decision myself I will trust David’s judgment to do what he feels is best for myself and our baby.
Monitoring
If possible I would prefer not to be tethered for long term monitoring however if a short, constant monitoring period is required I would prefer to sit upright or stand rather than be lying down.
Mobility
I would like to be as mobile as possible during labour and free to try various positions for both contractions and second stage. Ideally I would like to remain as upright as possible allowing gravity to take it’s course. I would also like to use my birthing ball.
Coaching
I would appreciate being informed of what is happening during my labour and having all processes explained to me before they are undertaken. In addition, should myself and/ or David need to make a decision regarding intervention I would appreciate all alternate options and the rational for hospital choice being explained in advance.
Pain Relief
I would ideally like to manage for as long as possible without pain relief. When the time is right I would like to use the birthing pool and also gas and air. I would appreciate guidance using the Entonox to manage contractions as have not had any antenatal classes with this pregnancy.
I really do not want to have Pethedine or an epidural if at all possible. Should an epidural be necessary I would prefer one which allows me to remain mobile.
Second Stage
I am flexible about delivering baby on land or in the water and would like to play it by ear. I wish to know when the head is crowning.
I will appreciate advice and guidance at this time to hopefully prevent a tear.
Post Birth
I would like to meet our baby as soon as possible and have skin-to-skin contact before any intervention. If for any reason Baby cannot have skin to skin with me then I would like her to have it with David. I am keen to cuddle Baby lots and allow her to find the breast and start to suckle on her own.
Placenta
I wish to exit the pool to deliver the placenta. I wish the cord to remain attached until it stops pulsating. David will decide on the day whether he wants to cut the cord.
I am happy to have a managed placenta delivery if needed so I am free to spend time with Baby earlier.
Vitamin K
I am happy for Baby to be given an injection of vitamin K.
Theatre
If I have to undergo a c-section I would like David with me. I would like the catheter to be inserted after anesthetic. If I need to be separated from our baby in theatre or for stitching after a tear I would like David to stay with our baby.
Feeding
I would like to breastfeed our baby and would appreciate any available encouragement and support.
Is there anything you would add?
I have been trying to find a way to mention Matilda Mae but cannot find the words or the right reason to include her
Have you had a Rainbow Baby?
Did you mention your angel in your birth plan?
It seems you are ready, Jennie. I wish you all the very best.
X
Jennie, Matilda Mae will be there in your hearts, but this time is for you and your lovely Rainbow baby. I’m sorry if that sounds horrible – it’s not meant that way. You aren’t worried about having your other children mentioned in your birth plan now are you? Every other day in your life is about Matilda Mae but you need space just to focus on you and David making your family one person bigger.
Thank you x x x x
I think I would just add a note at the beginning to say something along the lines of:
We would like all staff who may come into contact with us to be aware that within the past 18 months we have lost our daughter Matilda Mae to SIDS and so we may be even more emotional than you would expect us to be while our new baby arrives. We are happy to talk about Matilda.
I think as well, if I had been in your position, I would take photos with me in my labour bag of all three children so that they are ‘in’ the room with me.
Good luck Jenny and David. x
That’s a much better suggestion than mine! Do this one! Mine was rubbish. Xxxxxx
Thank you x That is a lovely thing to add xx
This sounds exactly like my birth plan and I actually gave birth to my daughter in the pool!
Good luck and I wish you all the best xx
Good luck Jennie, you are all ready. Wishing you all the love in the world and I can’t wait to see the pictures of your precious little bundle xx
Good luck! A top Entonox tip I was given was to start breathing it in as soon as you feel a contraction building. It takes a good few seconds to work so the maximum effect is achieved at about the time the contraction reaches its peak. If you wait until the pain is becoming less bearable, it’s too late. Make sure to take long slow deep breaths. It worked very well for me, hardly felt any pain at all during the delivery.
Good luck and I think you have covered all the bases I can think of xx
Great birth plan. If use gas & air, breathe calmly and deeply with it until the contraction peaks and then let go of gas & air once the worse is over and breath through it yourself again. You should still have enough gas. & air in your system to deal with the rest of the contraction without having too much and possibly going lightheaded. Hope this helps. Good luck. Will be thinking of you xx
PS: Matilda Mae will be there watching you and guiding her little sister into the world. You don ‘t need anymore than the explanation above xx
Wow, that all sounds perfectly clear to me! Well done – it must be hard to actually get your plan down in writing even though in your head you know just what you do and don’t want.
I think adding the piece about Matilda will help the staff understand where you are emotionally and will allow them to assist you in having the birth you feel comfortable with without the worry of trying to make yourself understood when your labour is in full flow.
Matilda is a part of you and David, a part of your very core. Nothing in this world can change that, so to include her in anything and everything all you need is to be you. A little star, a little twinkle shining out everywhere through your very being.
Thinking of you as you move closer to your bringing your beautiful little rainbow girl into the world. She’s going to be a gorgeous new addition to the Henley family!
I do hope Esther and William had a wonderful 4th birthday this week!
Lots of love and rainbow wishes,
Wendy x
I think that all seems perfectly clear and beautifully put. I was trying to think whether there’s anything else in my previous ones and I think the only thing I said was that I want to avoid an episiostomy, and also that I really really need my glasses to be able to see further than the end of my nose – but the latter at least is fairly specific to me!!
Not long at all now Jennie. I’ve been so busy with work, hence quiet on social media, but you keep popping into my head and I’m checking every now and then to see if rainbow baby has arrived. Much love to you all xxx
Way to go Girl.
As ever, perfect Jennie, just like you!!
Tilda will be there in your Hearts, minds, and in your thoughts, as she always is and that’s fine.
You are soo the together Mummy.
Take it eezy-breezy and i hope all goes well for you, babe and David.
Bet the Twins cannot wait to meet the new Babe too.
I know i am just bursting to see picc’s of you all as soon as is poss after the birth.
I keep popping in to see updates!
All my love and hugs.
Lindie-Lou
XXXXXXX
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