Digital Book Discontinued Birth Choices v1.1 | Page 13

Your Birth Preferences
You may have a clear picture of what you want during your birth or you may be open to many options.
Either way, identifying your preferences ahead of time will help you make decisions and communicate
with your birth team. Use this list as a starting point.
1. I want to avoid
The Environment
2. No preference
Your Choice
3. I would prefer
Policies
Your Choice
Labor at home for as
long as possible 1 2 3 Given choices and
explanations 1 2 3
Calm and peaceful space 1 2 3 Access to shower/tub 1 2 3
Company of family and
friends of my choice
Minimal distractions
and interruptions 1 2 3 Freedom to eat and drink 1 2 3
1 2 3 Wear my own clothes 1 2 3
Choose my position
for giving birth 1 2 3
Push instinctively
(without coaching) 1 2 3
Extra people/staff
present for birth 1 2 3
Interventions
Your Choice
Continuous fetal
monitoring 1 2 3
Intermittent and/or
wireless monitoring 1 2 3
Freedom to move
freely at all times 1 2 3
Medicine to start
labor (induction) 1 2 3
Medicine to speed labor 1 2 3
Frequent vaginal exams 1 2 3
Breaking my water 1 2 3
IV access 1 2 3
Epidural 1 2 3
Narcotics 1 2 3
Episiotomy 1 2 3
Vacuum or forceps 1 2 3
Cesarean 1 2 3
At Birth/Newborn Care
Your Choice
Immediate skin-to-skin 1 2 3
Delay cord clamping 1 2 3
Medicine to deliver
placenta/control bleeding 1 2 3
Eye antibiotics 1 2 3
Vitamin K injection 1 2 3
Hepatitis B vaccine 1 2 3
Circumcision 1 2 3
Exclusive breastfeeding
(no supplements)
Delay baby’s bath for
_____ hours
Rooming in (baby stays
with me) 1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
Step 2: Know Your Options and Preferences
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