Download Birth Plan - McDonald Murrmann Women`s Clinic

 Birth Plan
As we welcome you to McDonald Murrmann Women’s Clinic, we would like to share with our obstetric
patients our philosophy on childbirth. We hope you will have the most enjoyable, safe and memorable
delivery possible. It is not necessary to formulate your own birth plan. We encourage open
communication with us regarding your desires regarding your birth experience as we are your partners in
birth.
The following are answers to the most frequently asked questions:
1. The pelvic area is not shaved for anticipated vaginal deliveries. If a cesarean section (C-section) is
required, the hair at the lower abdomen may be shaved.
2. Enemas are not required. If you desire an enema, one may be given.
3. It is preferred that patient’s have ready intravenous access during labor and childbirth. This access
will allow rapid administration of life saving medications, should they be required. An
intravenous catheter in the hand or forearm is acceptable.
4. If there are no labor risk factors, intermittent external fetal heart monitoring can be applied.
Current American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines for fetal heart tone
monitoring include:
a. Evaluation and recording of fetal heart rate for at least fifteen (15) minutes of each hour
until you are fully dilated.
b. Monitoring fetal heart rate at least every five (5) minutes during pushing.
c. Continuous fetal heart rate monitoring if you are receiving pitocin augmentation or
induction.
5. When there is inadequate external heart rate tracing or a non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern,
an internal scalp electrode may be placed through your vagina to the baby’s scalp.
6. To assure the safety of your newborn, it is suggested that the maximum number of people
attending your birth should not exceed three (3). However, this number is at the discretion of
your physician.
7. Videotaping your delivery is at the discretion of your physician, and a signed consent form must
be recorded in the hospital chart.
8. The physicians at McDonald Murrmann Women’s Clinic do not routinely perform an episiotomy.
9. Please discuss your birthing preference (Lamaze, Bradley, etc.) with your physician at the
beginning of your pregnancy.
10. Pitocin may be used to enhance your labor if your physician feels it is clinically necessary. This
decision will be at the discretion of your delivery physician.
11. Different styles of prepared childbirth plans have developed alternative delivery positions.
Delivery positions in a bed with modifications to simulate alternative positions (e.g. using foot
pedals or stirrups) are preferred.
12. Use of forceps or vacuum extraction is performed only in cases where the delivery physician finds
it necessary to assist the patient or the baby.
13. You are encouraged to have support people during your delivery; however, midwives are not
utilized in the clinic for patient care.
McDonald Murrmann Women’s Clinic  7205 Wolf River Blvd, Suite 150  Germantown, TN 38138
Office Phone: (901) 752-4500  www.mmwc.md