la petite maman.

Birth Goals 

• We are giving birth, naturally and unmedicated, without unnecessary medical/chemical intervention.
• Except in the case of an emergency, we are to be asked to accept or refuse any procedure, medication, or test.
• The least invasive or restrictive versions of procedures are be used.

Labor Goals

• We will have present at the labor and/or birth: Dr. Tony Hoang (obstetrician), Marivette Torres (doula) and Kevin (husband/baby’s father).
• We will labor at home for as long as possible, with our doula present, before going to the hospital.
• Lily will have a heparin lock and intermittent fetal monitoring.
• The birth environment is important to us- lights kept dim, noise kept to a minimum, door kept closed for privacy.
• Kevin and Marivette may be taking photos of the labor/birth.
• Lily will be wearing her own clothing, although she may choose to wear a hospital gown.
• Lily will be up out of bed as much as possible during labor, depending on her needs.

Induction and Augmentation (if necessary)

• Natural induction methods will be tried first: walking, breast stimulation, sexual intercourse.
• Do not strip or break the membranes without our prior consent.

Pain Management Goals

• We will manage pain with relaxation, massage, and water (shower or tub).
• If we want chemical pain relief, we will ask for it. Please do not offer it.

Delivery Goals

• Lily will push at her own pace (Mother-Directed Pushing).
• While crowning, perineal massage, support, slow pushing, and warm compresses are to be applied to prevent tearing. Episiotomy is not to be performed (tearing is preferred), unless there is a medical emergency.
• We may be trying different positions (hands and knees, squatting, side lying, etc.) to deliver the baby.
• The baby will be placed on Lily’s chest with skin-to-skin contact to breastfeed immediately after the birth and for the first 1 to 2 hours following the birth, unless there is a medical emergency.
• The placenta will be birthed naturally (without pitocin or tugging), unless there is a medical emergency.

Umbilical Cord

• Allow cord to stop pulsating before clamping.
• Allow Kevin to cut the cord.

Newborn Care Goals

• All immunizations and PKU testing will be delayed until after hospital discharge.
• We decline eye ointment (and will sign formal waivers, if necessary).
• Vitamin K will be administered orally.
• We will give our baby his first bath.
• The baby will not be circumcised.

Cesarean Section (if necessary)

• Lily will be conscious with Kevin present at all times.

• Our baby will be breastfed as soon as possible after surgery in the recovery room.

Breastfeeding Goals

• We will be exclusively breastfeeding our baby with the help of Marivette. Do not offer any bottles, pacifiers, sugar water, etc. without our prior consent.

Thank you for taking the time to help us achieve a natural childbirth experience for our first baby!