Michelle Gawne, LM, CPM
Kaleen Richards, CNM, ARNP
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A letter regarding birth planning
Dear Loving Family,
This letter is from the midwives at Heart 2 Heart Birth Center. We know how excited you are that there is a new baby on the way. We would like to take this opportunity to discuss your birth plan.
Mom to be: Of course, it is up to you to decide how many people you want in the birth room, but we have a few safety and privacy tips to keep in mind. Birth is a very intimate and spiritual event, not a "spectator sport". Everybody is going to see "everything". Many times a mother feels obligated to allow people at her birth, even if she is uncomfortable. Please keep this in mind when deciding who will attend your birth and know that your choices will be respected and enforced here at the Center, and know that everyone else should respect your wishes also, even if you choose to have only your husband...it is much like being invited on one's honeymoon! We do reserve the right to ask family members to leave the Center if there are too many people or if they are being disruptive to the Center
and it's goals and mission of safe and natural childbirth.
Father of Baby:
As much as possible, our intention during labor is for the dad to be mom's main support person to help her relax. This is something that he has trained for in childbirth class and is his role as her husband/protector. As mothers, we know how much we would want to help our daughters, but we also know that she needs to rely more on her husband than her mommie. Young men are often nervous, but it is their birth experience as well as hers and the birth of HIS baby as well, so he needs to be encouraged, not replaced! Our hope is that by encouraging fathers to be active in the labor process, that they will have a better bonding experience with their women and babies, reducing the divorce and abandonment rates in America...one daddy at a time!
Concentration & Privacy:
Labor and birth take a woman's complete concentration. You will notice that our staff wears shoes that are very quiet, we talk at a whisper in a birth room and we ask that others do the same. We keep the doors and curtains shut to a birth room to protect a woman's privacy. She may feel more comfortable undressed in labor, so it is not appropriate for her father or others she may not be comfortable naked in front of to be in her birth room. Studies have proven that the more people present in a birth room often slows labor down, and too many people disrupting the birth process can actually result in a stalled labor or a transfer to the hospital. In fact, the more people a woman has waiting even in the house can also slow her progress down as mom's can feel "under pressure" to "perform".
Family Being Prepared:
If you think that you would like to attend this birth and are not sure you will be comfortable, please meet with the midwives first during the prenatal period so that we may help prepare you, or discuss your concerns. Maybe even come to childbirth classes with the parents to learn more about normal, natural childbirth so that you can be more prepared to show healthy support to the birthing mom during her labor! Family members who are not comfortable with childbirth should wait at home so that they are not "transferring" their anxiety to the birthing parents by constantly asking if we should go to the hospital or if something is wrong. This causes the mom and dad stress and can hinder their birth progress tremendously.
Other Family Members:
We know this is one of the most joyous events in a family's life and we know that the extended family wants to share in this event, and we apologize in advance that our birth center is small and does not accomodate people waiting for extended amounts of time. Please know that we are not against family being present, but witnessing it is not for everyone and any one present should be respectful.Our birth rooms only have room for 2 people to sit to be out of the midwife and assistant's way so that they may do their job unhindered. We have to keep the birth room uncluttered so that we have ablility to do our work. Our waiting room is located right off a birth room, so we ask people to kindly talk very quietly if visiting. Labor can normally be 12-24 hours long so it might be best if you wait at your home and come to visit after the birth of the baby. We do not have anywhere for the family to sleep. Remember, mom and baby are usually discharged 4-6 hours after the birth and you can visit them at their home while she recuperates in her own bed.
Safety Concerns/Transfers:
Complications during a labor or delivery for low risk healthy women are rare, especially for women having a drug-free birth experience. If a complication develops, we ask that you stay out of the way and let us do what we are trained to do without interfering. We might also ask you to step out of the birth room so that we have room to do our work.Occasionally we transfer a mom to the hospital. This does not mean there is an emergency, just a change in plans. This is rare. If this happens, please stay nice and calm, as anxiety that you may be feeling is easily transferred to the mom and dad and can upset them.
After the Birth:
Mom and baby will be going home about 4-6 hours after the birth. They will both be tired, so letting them rest the first day is advisable. Baby needs to be on mama, nursing and "babymooning" and should not be passed around much as this causes stress in the first few days. Most moms really need some help after the birth, some even need help for several weeks. Bringing meals, cleaning her home, bringing groceries or helping with older children is most helpful. Perhaps you could draw her a bath and let her relax, or take her older children to the park or to stay overnight to give mom a rest. Giving a gift of ourselves that can be more valuable than bringing baby clothes!
Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Psalm 73:23-234
So do not fear,
for I am with you;
do not be dismayed,
for I am your God.
I will strengthen you
and help you;
I will uphold you
wth my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Heart 2 Heart Birth Center, Inc.
1110 Lexington Green Lane
Sanford, Florida 32771
Call (407) 322-9944
Gynecological Well Woman Exams / Primary Care & Complete Prenatal Care
