IMMEDIATELY AFTER DELIVERY
-- I would prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before it is clamped and cut (or wait at least 3 minutes after birth before clamping and cutting) (There is considerable research that links early cord clamping with infant anemia, autism, brain hemorrhaging, and mental impairment.) 

-- I would like to have my husband cut the cord. 

-- Unless it is particularly indicated, I would like to avoid routine suctioning of the baby's nose and mouth. 

-- I would like to hold the baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made. 

-- I would like to hold the baby skin-to-skin during the first hours to help regulate baby's body temperature. 

-- I would prefer to bathe the baby myself, at my discretion. 

-- Please delay eye medication (do not use silver nitrate), examinations and treatments for the baby until we are well past the initial bonding period (a couple hours after the birth). Please do not take the baby away from me for any examination or treatment.   

-- I plan to keep the baby near me following birth and would appreciate if the evaluation of the baby can be done with the baby on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation. 

-- If the baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, my husband will accompany the baby at all times. 

-- I would prefer to hold the baby rather than have him placed under heat lamps. 

-- I may not want a routine injection of pitocin after the delivery to aid in expelling the placenta.  I will have the baby breastfeed as soon as possible and as frequently as possible after birth. 

-- I would like to see the placenta after it is delivered. 

-- I would like baby to be given vitamin K orally as opposed to an injection. 

POSTPARTUM  

-- Unless required for health reasons, I do not wish to be separated from my baby. 

-- If baby must be taken from room, I would like myself and/or my husband to accompany the baby at all times. 

-- If medical procedures must be performed on the baby, I would like for myself and/or my husband to be present at all times. 

-- I would like to have the baby "room in" and be with me at all times. 

--If baby needs to be incubated, I would prefer to administer kangaroo care instead. 

BREASTFEEDING   

-- I plan to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth. 

--I do not wish to have any pacifiers or bottles given to the baby (including glucose water or plain water). 

PHOTO/VIDEO 

-- I would like to take still photographs during labor and the birth. 

-- I would like to make a video recording of labor and/or the birth and would like a nurse to do so. 

OTHER   

-- I would prefer that no students, interns, residents or non-essential personnel be present during my labor or the birth. 

-- I would like to be released home at as early a date as possible.