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Before you try to get answers to your questions and make your decision, it will help to read the chapter on Labour and birth (page 89). THESE ARE THE KINDS OF QUESTIONS YOU MAY WISH TO ASK ABOUT A HOSPITAL Would I go to the hospital antenatal clinic for all or just some of my antenatal care appointments? Does the antenatal clinic run an appointments system? Does the hospital run antenatal classes? Does the hospital offer team midwifery care for delivery (see page 34)? What types of services are available to me locally? Will I be shown round the labour and postnatal wards before the birth? Is there a chance for me to discuss and work out a birth plan? Can I be seen by a woman doctor if I prefer? ABOUT LABOUR AND DELIVERY Are fathers, close relatives or friends welcome in the delivery room? Are they ever asked to leave the room, and why? Does the hospital encourage women to move around in labour and find their own position for the birth, if that is what they want? What is the hospital policy on induction, pain relief, routine monitoring, diet or any other aspect of labour that concerns me? AFTERWARDS Are babies usually put to their mother’s breast immediately after birth? What services are provided for sick babies? Are babies with their mothers all the time or is there a separate nursery? Will the hospital encourage (and help) me to feed my baby ‘on demand’ if this is what I want to do? Who will help me breastfeed my baby? Will I get help if I choose to bottle feed? What is the normal length of stay? What are visiting hours? Are there any special rules about visiting? 36
Deciding where to have your baby B IRTH PLAN A birth plan is a record of what you would like to happen during your labour and after the birth. You may be given an opportunity to draw up a birth plan during your antenatal care. If not, ask your midwife if you can do so. Discussing a birth plan with your midwife, preferably over several meetings, will give you the chance to ask questions and find out more information. It also gives the midwife the chance to get to know you better and understand your feelings and priorities. You will probably want to think about or discuss some points more fully with your partner, or friends and relatives, before reaching a decision. And you can, of course, change your mind at any time. There is no one, correct way to give birth. All birth plans have to be drawn up individually and then discussed with your midwife. They depend not only on your own wishes, but also on your medical history and your own circumstances, and on what is available at your own hospital or unit. What may be safe and practical for one mother may not be a good idea for another. You may be given a special form for a birth plan, or there may be room in your notes. You could use page 38 of this book as a guide. It’s a good idea for you to keep a copy of your birth plan with you. The midwife or doctor who cares for you during labour will discuss it with you so they know your wishes. But remember, you may need to be flexible if complications arise with you or the baby. The doctor or midwife will tell you what they advise in your particular circumstances. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you need to. Read the chapters on Labour and birth (page 89) and The first days with your new baby (page 107) before talking to your midwife, to see if there is anything you feel strongly about and might wish to include. You may find it useful to think about some of these things. You may want to take this book with you to discuss with your midwife. BREASTFEEDING If you have decided to breastfeed, your birth plan should note that you want to put your baby to your breast straight after birth. This helps to get breastfeeding started. It should also note that you do not want your baby to be given any extra formula milk feeds, as this can hinder successful breastfeeding. 37
Page 1 and 2: Pre the nancy gbook Your complete g
Page 3 and 4: Pre the nancy gbook Your complete g
Page 5 and 6: 11 LABOUR AND BIRTH Getting ready f
Page 7 and 8: Your pregnancy at a glance 16-20 we
Page 9 and 10: Introduction Every parent is differ
Page 11 and 12: Your health in pregnancy • Eat pl
Page 13 and 14: Your health in pregnancy VEGETARIAN
Page 15 and 16: Your health in pregnancy S MOKING W
Page 17 and 18: Your health in pregnancy P HYSICAL
Page 19 and 20: Your health in pregnancy Foot exerc
Page 21 and 22: obstetrician. If you do catch toxop
Page 23 and 24: 2 Conception To understand about co
Page 25 and 26: Conception T HE WOMAN’ S MONTHLY
Page 27 and 28: Conception T HE BEST TIME TO GET PR
Page 29 and 30: Conception K NOWING THAT YOU’ RE
Page 31 and 32: How the baby develops WEEKS 4-5 Wee
Page 33 and 34: How the baby develops WEEKS 15-22 T
Page 35 and 36: 4 Deciding where to have your baby
Page 37: Deciding where to have your baby HO
Page 41 and 42: 5 Feelings and relationships From t
Page 43 and 44: Feelings and relationships WORRYING
Page 45 and 46: Feelings and relationships FAMILIES
Page 47 and 48: Feelings and relationships C OPING
Page 49 and 50: 6 Mainly for men Some pregnancies h
Page 51 and 52: Mainly for men PRACTICAL SUPPORT Yo
Page 53 and 54: 7 Antenatal care and antenatal clas
Page 55 and 56: Antenatal care and antenatal classe
Page 69 and 70: The feeding question B REASTFEEDING
Page 71 and 72: The feeding question Support contac
Page 73 and 74: The feeding question HOW OFTEN AND
Page 75 and 76: The feeding question B OTTLE FEEDIN
Page 77 and 78: The feeding question The temperatur
Page 79 and 80: 9 Problems Your body has a great de
Page 81 and 82: Problems FEELING HOT IN PREGNANCY D
Page 83 and 84: Problems can empty it properly. The
Page 85 and 86: Problems VAGINAL DISCHARGE Almost a
Page 87 and 88: 10 What you need for the baby This
Page 89 and 90:
What you need for the baby O UT AND
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11 Labour and birth This chapter de
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Labour and birth PAIN RELIEF IN LAB
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Labour and birth • your contracti
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Labour and birth AT THE HOSPITAL Go
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Labour and birth • The heartbeat
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Labour and birth You can have your
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Labour and birth treatment takes ab
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Labour and birth A vaginal breech d
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When pregnancy goes wrong been due.
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13 The first days with your new bab
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The first days with your new baby c
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The first days with your new baby b
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Babies who need special care I NCUB
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The early weeks: you L OOKING AFTER
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The early weeks: you T HE ‘ BABY
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16 The early weeks: your baby The b
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The early weeks: your baby Sadly, w
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The early weeks: your baby CHANGING
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The early weeks: your baby WASHING
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The early weeks: your baby W HERE T
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as green, leafy vegetables and brea
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Rights and benefits How much is it?
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Who gets it? Pregnant women and new
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Rights and benefits You must have n
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• your baby is born before your M
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Rights and benefits (MAT B1 form),
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Rights and benefits Giving notice f
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Rights and benefits If you return t
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• state that this is an applicati
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USEFUL ORGANISATIONS Some of these
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In Northern Ireland: Northern Irela
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INDEX A abnormalities tests to dete
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