Birth Plan- Who?Birth Plan- Who?Obstetrician/Gynecologist 4 years of training in pregnancy, delivery and women health and infertility.

Maternal-Fetal Specialist High risk pregnancy specialist with OB/GYN

Family Physician General medical care for the whole family. Referral to OB/GYN, only for low risk pregnancy

Nurse Mid-wife Licensed registered nurse cares for mother and fetus Trained in delivery baby and after care. Works with doctor, unless complications

Hospital BirthHospital Birth

Modern medical equipmentMedication availableRecommended for high risk pregnancyDelivery by doctor OR Mid Wife

*** why? Medical care

Birthing CenterBirthing Center

Home like setting-usually on hospital groundsMedication freeParents have control of processReceive individual careLabor-Delivery and after care in the same room.

*** why? Medical care with control and comfort

Home BirthHome Birth

No birth risks for mother or fetusLabor-Delivery and After care all in same settingMaximum control over birthShare experience with family and friendsNO medicine or medical care immediately

available May not be covered by insurance

• *** why? Family environment

Birth Plan MedicationsNatural Childbirth

Advantage☺No side effects from medication☺Experience birth and delivery because alert☺No medical machines to be hooked up to

Disadvantage☺Pain/Discomfort without medication☺There is a point during delivery that a woman can no longer be given medication (if she changes her mind)

Birth Plan MedicationsSystemic medication

Narcotics or tranquilizerIV into Blood stream or injection into muscle

ADVANTAGE No anesthesia Takes “edge” or reduces anxiety Cope with some pain

DISADVANTAGE Doesn’t control all pain Slows down labor Could effect fetus or baby

Regional MedicationDecreases sensation to specific parts of the body

Mother is alert and awake with NO pain waist down

Spinal TapInjected in the dura of spinal cord

ADVANTAGE• Rapid pain relief

DISADVANTAGE• Position for injection• Harder to push fetus out• Decrease in blood pressure• Headaches

Epidural Injected into sac around spinal cord

ADVANTAGE• Awake and alert during labor• Increases energy during delivery

DISADVANTAGE• Spotty pain relief• Position for injection position • Loss of sensation of body

• Decrease in blood pressure• Headaches