Every pregnancy and birth is a unique, life-changing event. That is why we are committed to providing you with the information you need, the best possible care, and a comfortable environment where you are treated with warmth and respect.

We invite you to create your own personalized birth plan as you prepare for the delivery of your baby. At the end of this page, you will find a link to a birth plan you can customize.

What is a Birth Plan?

    
Writing a birth plan helps you to consider the many decisions you will make during your labor and postpartum time at Meriter. It also educates you and your support people in options available. Finally, a birth plan enables you to communicate your ideas and philosophy to your doctor, nurse midwife, the nursing staff and your support people. Meriter's philosophy of care and the options offered will simply add to your birth plan.

The foundation of a birth plan comes from the woman who writes it. Confidence in your own abilities, freedom to draw strength from your spirituality, and physical and emotional support from those you gather around you will create the setting for the comfort strategies and medical options you choose.

Next Step: Create Your Birth Plan

Now that you know more about Meriter's Birthing Center, you can create your own birth plan try to answer these questions:

1. During your pregnancy, will you talk to you doctor/nurse-midwife about the following topics: positions for pushing and delivering your baby, and what will work best for you?

2. Will you discuss the following topics to see if your philosophies comlements your doctor's:
    - Opinions on circumcision of boy babies.
    - Opinions on breastfeeding versus bottlefeeding.
    - Opinions on immunizations and the use of antibiotics.

3. Will you attend childbirth classes and parenting classes?

4. Will you restrict visitors from coming until after the birth? Will you provide a list of friends and family who may be directed to your room?

5. Have you identified a support person (husband, friend, mother, sibling) who will be there to provide emotional support and will be actively involved during your labor? Will your support person be prepared to make informed decisions about your care during labor, while working closely with the delivery team?

6. To help you cope with and manage your pain, do you...
     - Prefer to avoid any pain medications?
     - Prefer to try alternative pain coping techniques?
     - Realize that pain medications are available and I will request them if needed?
     - Before considering an epidural, would you first like to try an injection of narcotic pain medication?
     - Want an epidural at the point when you become uncomfortable?
     - Want an pidural as soon as you can have one?

7. If you need a Cesarean birth, and it is not an urgent situation, do you prefer to be awake and have regional anesthesia?

8. Will you breastfeed or bottlefeed?