Birth plan questions

1. IMO they *must* gain your consent before doing an episiotomy - and I know that either the MW or the OB on call can perform it but it would probably depend on what else might be going on at the time.

2. I have never heard of this one before! I picked up my baby off my bedroom floor fully covered in all the muck she came out in, bugger the wiping ;)

3. Not compulsory but quite common, but again IMO something not really necessary unless your baby has had a rough birth and might need the extra help with clotting. I had it given to my first daughter, but then did some reading and decided not to have it given to my second daughter at all.

4. We didn't quite get to the breast crawl but by the time my second daughter was interested in a feed she just latched straight on and away we went. Very little outside interference or touching, we were wrapped up nice and warm together, and I waited until she was ready. Look for signs of baby 'rooting' with his mouth (for the breast) and snuffling noises. That said sometimes a baby isn't immediately interested and that is normal too! And you don't have to let anyone handle your baby and your body until you are both ready for it, and even then they need to respect your own boundaries (so don't be shy if they are too rough for your liking).

5. I'm sorry but I can't really help on this one as my first baby was born at NSH and my second baby at home, hopefully someone else will step in and answer this one for you soon. Although, I should bloody well hope they will at least let you rest for a bit and shower first !! Make sure you get some food into you too.

Hi Treen, can't help with them all but can with a few
1. My MW did the episiotomy. I guess I gave consent but as baby was stuck and wasn't coming out without it, it kind of happened. It doesn't hurt as such but isn't a nice feeling as you know exactly what they are doing.
2. DS was pretty much delivered up onto my chest before they took him to the warmer for checks so no time for cleaning. He had vernix on him until his first bath
3. Edited as per subsequent post!!
4. Haven't really heard of the breast crawl. DS was latched on for me but certainly not roughly or impatiently. They say that baby has a natural instinct to suckle and will come up to the breast. Again have no experience of this.

HTH I think the main thing is if there is anything you feel really strongly about make sure everyone knows as you are unlikely to be in a position to assert yourself. And as far as possible be flexible because you just don't know how things will turn out. A lot of my birth plan was superfluous as I ended up labouring almost entirely at home and coming to hospital purely to deliver!

Edited by Caro07

Gosh I didn't really have a plan by the sounds of it, mine was just as little pain relief as possible, water birth if possible, skin to skin with DH as well as me and Vit K.


1. episiotomy? as the others have said I would think they would have to ask or at least advise you that it was necessary before doing it. I think they are relatively rare, I didn't have one with either birth

2. wiped clean - I hadn't heard of this either. Both boys were put stright on me without any cleaning what so ever

3. Vit K - personal choice, both boys had the injection

4. Breast crawl - I haven't heard of that term so not sure. With Jack he was happy and quiet and didn't feed till he was 1.5hrs, that was after I was cleaned up and stitiched. The MW basically shoved him on and away he went, I was happy with that at the time as I didn't know what I was doing and was too tired to be worried. With Ben we had to wait until he stopped crying so it was close to an hour I think. My mw (a different one) helped me alot but I did most of it which was a little hard because I was shattered but she was very kind and supportive.
Let everyone know this is your preference but be prepared for the fact that it may have to change at the time

5. I birthed at Waitakere both times, was transferred to the mat ward with Jack but went to Helensville with Ben. I would guess that alot of it depends on the birth and if you need stitches, surgery etc. I am sure that you would be allowed recovery time and a shower, if anything I would hope that your mw would insist on it.
With Ben I was already booked at Helensville but planned to stay a night at Waitakere but couldn't as they had no beds available. I stayed in the birthing suite till I left and that was about 10-12hrs after he was born (born at 2.33am and I don't think I left till about noon/2pm)

Think I got confused with vitamin K and the injection they give you to deliver the placenta so ignore my answer to number 3!!!

They say a for at least 24 hours, its like a super moisturiser and really good for their skin when they come out into our harsh environment!

After intial skin to skin and feed I would give babys face a clean and wipe down any blood extra but the vernix can stay on until their first bath....

1. Dont know sorry, I luckily didnt have to have one, but I think if it was necessary to get the baby out alive I wouldnt actually care who did it!

2. Before my first, I wanted him to be wiped/cleaned etc before he was given to me, but actually, their not really that gooey after all and it's really nice just to see them and cuddle them!! The vernix disapears after about a hour or two, although mine had mountains of it being early!!!

3. I would give the Vitamin K just in case but that is just my opinion, they way to give it if it is a quick or difficult, or long labour etc, to me that covers most labours....

4. Dont know anything about this sorry, never heard of it!!!!

Good luck, and as soomeone else said, treat your plan as more of a guidelines in the ideal situation, coz often labour isnt at all like you imagine it will be....

oh i have posted a link to a breast crawl vid in the first baby section....