Birth Plan Worksheet
Regarding labor and birth –
Due Date: 4/5/2011
I'm having a baby and these are my wishes for before, during and post delivery.
ATTENDANTS
I'd like the following people to be present during labor and delivery:
Spouse: ___________________________________________________________
Friend/s: __________________________________________________________
Relative/s: _________________________________________________________
Doula: ____________________________________________________________
Children: __________________________________________________________
AMENITIES
I'd like to:
• bring music
• wear my own clothes during labor and delivery
• take pictures during labor and delivery
HOSPITAL ADMISSION & PROCEDURES
I'd like the option of returning home if I'm not in active labor.
Once I'm admitted, I'd like:
• my partner to be allowed to stay with me at all times
• only my practitioner, nurse, and doula (i.e., no residents, medical students, or other hospital personnel)
• I would prefer to keep the number of vaginal exams to a minimum
• to try to stay hydrated by drinking clear fluids instead of having an IV
• I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labor.
OTHER INTERVENTIONS
As long as the baby and I are doing fine, I'd like to:
• have intermittent rather than continuous electronic fetal monitoring
• be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits and have my labor augmented only if necessary
• I do not wish to have the amniotic membrane ruptured artificially unless signs of fetal distress require internal monitoring.
• I would prefer to be allowed to try changing position and nipple stimulation before Pitocin is administered.
• I do not want any kind of anesthesia offered to me during labor, though I would like it available if I specifically request it.
• Custom note regarding use of an epidural: If I must be induced because I went passed the due date, then give me steroid therapy to increase blood platelet levels
LABOR PROPS
If available, I'd like to try a:
birthing stool
birthing chair
squatting bar
birthing tub
I'd like to bring the following equipment with me:
• Birthing stability ball
• other: ____________________________________________________________
PAIN RELIEF
I'd like to try the following pain-management techniques:
• acupressure
• bath/shower
• breathing techniques/distraction
• hot/cold therapy
• self-hypnosis
• massage
• other: ____________________________________________________________
Please don't offer me pain medication. I'll request it if I need it.
If I decide I want medicinal pain relief, I'd prefer:
• regional analgesia (an epidural and/or spinal block)
PUSHING
When it's time to push, I'd like to:
• do so instinctively
• be coached on when to push and for how long
• be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits as long as my baby and I are doing fine
I'd like to try the following positions for pushing (and birth):
• semi-reclining
• side-lying position
• squatting
• hands and knees
• whatever feels right at the time
VAGINAL BIRTH
During delivery, I'd like:
• I would like the room to be as quiet as possible
• I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for the baby's safety.
• I would like my husband to help "catch" our baby
After birth, I'd like:
• I would like to hold my baby right away, putting off any procedures that aren't urgent
• I would like to breastfeed as soon as possible
• I do not want to get oxytocin (Pitocin) after I deliver the placenta unless it's necessary
• I would like my husband to cut the umbilical cord
C-SECTION
If I have a c-section, I'd like:
• If my primary care provider determines that a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to obtain a second opinion from another physician if time allows
• I would like my husband present at all times if my son requires a Cesarean delivery
• If C-section, then I wish to have an epidural for anesthesia
• If my son is not in distress, my son should be given to husband immediately after birth
• the baby to be given to my partner as soon as he's dried, if appropriate
• the screen lowered a bit so I can see my baby being delivered
• to breastfeed my baby in the recovery room
CORD BLOOD BANKING
I'm planning to:
donate cord blood to a public bank
bank cord blood privately
neither
POSTPARTUM
After delivery, I'd like:
• To all newborn procedures to take place in my presence
• To my husband to stay with the baby at all times if I can't be there
• to stay in a private room
I'd like:
• To 24-hour rooming-in with my baby
• I would like
FEEDING ISSUES
I plan to:
• Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to my baby (including glucose water or plain water).
Do not offer my baby:
• formula
• sugar water
• a pacifier
CIRCUMCISION
If my baby's a boy:
• I want him to be circumcised at the hospital
DISCHARGE
I'd like to:
• be discharged from the hospital with my baby as soon as possible
• wait and see how I feel before deciding about the timing of hospital discharge
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
The shift from a republic to a democracy
REPUBLIC:
Authority is derived through the election by the people
of public officials best fitted to represent them.
Attitude toward property is respect for laws and
individual rights, and a sensible economic procedure.
Attitude toward law is the administration of justice in
accord with fixed principles and established evidence,
with a strict regard to consequences.
A greater number of citizens and extent of
territory may be brought within its compass.
Avoids the dangerous extreme of either tyranny or mobocracy.
Results in statesmanship, liberty, reason, justice, contentment and progress.
Is the 'standard form' of government throughout the world.
A Republic is a form of government under a constitution which provides
for the election of (1) an executive and (2) a legislative body who,
working together in representative capacity, have all the power of
appointment, all power of legislation, all power to raise revenue and
appropriate expenditures and are required to create (3) a judiciary to
pass upon the justice and legality of their governmental acts and to
recognize (4) certain inherent unalienable rights.
Take away any one of those four elements and you are drifting into democracy."
U.S. ARMY FIELD TRAINING MANUAL TM2000-5 (1928)
Authority is derived through the election by the people
of public officials best fitted to represent them.
Attitude toward property is respect for laws and
individual rights, and a sensible economic procedure.
Attitude toward law is the administration of justice in
accord with fixed principles and established evidence,
with a strict regard to consequences.
A greater number of citizens and extent of
territory may be brought within its compass.
Avoids the dangerous extreme of either tyranny or mobocracy.
Results in statesmanship, liberty, reason, justice, contentment and progress.
Is the 'standard form' of government throughout the world.
A Republic is a form of government under a constitution which provides
for the election of (1) an executive and (2) a legislative body who,
working together in representative capacity, have all the power of
appointment, all power of legislation, all power to raise revenue and
appropriate expenditures and are required to create (3) a judiciary to
pass upon the justice and legality of their governmental acts and to
recognize (4) certain inherent unalienable rights.
Take away any one of those four elements and you are drifting into democracy."
U.S. ARMY FIELD TRAINING MANUAL TM2000-5 (1928)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Suit: Firm failed to pay wages
Denver, CO, January 17, 2011— Suit: Firm failed to pay wages
Dec. 02--A lawsuit was filed Thursday in Denver County Court accusing an Attorney Law Firm of failing to pay proper wages to an employee.
The suit filed against Law Office of T.M.Palmer, L.L.C., 7900 E. Union Avenue, asked the court judgment in there favor.
The Law Office of T.M. Palmer, LLC is incorporated in the State of Colorado since May 2010. The registered agent is Tamika Monique Palmer. Ms. Palmer was admitted in Colorado on May 17, 2010. She was also admitted in Florida on October 29, 2009.
Plaintiff, a Paralegal who filed the suit, said she was the only employee at the time of hire.
The suit sought $1,000 for former employee. It does not specify the amount of lost wages.
The suit also names Tamika M. Palmer, company owner, as a defendant.
Tamika M. Palmer, a new attorney licensed with the State of Colorado, said the company has no responsibility to Plaintiff.
“Defendant said that the law firm has fully compensated its entire employee for their work.”
The Law Firm arbitrarily paid employee and did not take notice of employees’ time sheet.
"Most employers in this community understand the rules associated with paying hourly workers for the work they perform," Plaintiff said. "the law firm has not only cheated her but flouted the rules and the law and has knowlingly done so at the expense of an employee.
"I hope the court corrects the situation so Palmer understand that she can’t just arbitrarily pay its employees’ whatever she feels is due without justification."
The suit accuses the company of violating the law wage laws by not properly paying hourly employees, failing to calculate and pay the proper amount of wages and failing to pay hourly employees for working during breaks and meal periods.
According to the complaint:
Plaintiff was an administrative employee from September to October. She worked part-time evenings with Palmer law firm and almost full-time at another law firm. Palmer law firm induced her to quit the other law firm claiming that she will provide better benefits, more flexibility and a less stressful environment.
Plaintiff was three month pregnant at the time. She quit her other employer on September 21, and Palmer law firm almost immediately made unreasonable demands, and wrote up employee for arbitrary issues within a week of officially transitioning to full-time. She then terminated employee the next week. This law firm did not allow employee the time to adjust to the work environment and get up to speed the area of practice. This law firm, also shorted employee for more than 20 hours a week of pay.
The suit sought back pay and damages of $1,000 per plaintiff for each violation of the labor laws.
Judgment was entered against the Law Office of T.M. Palmer, LLC on January 11, 2011 for back pay and court costs of $409.09.
BEWARE OF THIS ATTORNEY!!! SHE HAS NO LEGAL EXPERIENCE.
Dec. 02--A lawsuit was filed Thursday in Denver County Court accusing an Attorney Law Firm of failing to pay proper wages to an employee.
The suit filed against Law Office of T.M.Palmer, L.L.C., 7900 E. Union Avenue, asked the court judgment in there favor.
The Law Office of T.M. Palmer, LLC is incorporated in the State of Colorado since May 2010. The registered agent is Tamika Monique Palmer. Ms. Palmer was admitted in Colorado on May 17, 2010. She was also admitted in Florida on October 29, 2009.
Plaintiff, a Paralegal who filed the suit, said she was the only employee at the time of hire.
The suit sought $1,000 for former employee. It does not specify the amount of lost wages.
The suit also names Tamika M. Palmer, company owner, as a defendant.
Tamika M. Palmer, a new attorney licensed with the State of Colorado, said the company has no responsibility to Plaintiff.
“Defendant said that the law firm has fully compensated its entire employee for their work.”
The Law Firm arbitrarily paid employee and did not take notice of employees’ time sheet.
"Most employers in this community understand the rules associated with paying hourly workers for the work they perform," Plaintiff said. "the law firm has not only cheated her but flouted the rules and the law and has knowlingly done so at the expense of an employee.
"I hope the court corrects the situation so Palmer understand that she can’t just arbitrarily pay its employees’ whatever she feels is due without justification."
The suit accuses the company of violating the law wage laws by not properly paying hourly employees, failing to calculate and pay the proper amount of wages and failing to pay hourly employees for working during breaks and meal periods.
According to the complaint:
Plaintiff was an administrative employee from September to October. She worked part-time evenings with Palmer law firm and almost full-time at another law firm. Palmer law firm induced her to quit the other law firm claiming that she will provide better benefits, more flexibility and a less stressful environment.
Plaintiff was three month pregnant at the time. She quit her other employer on September 21, and Palmer law firm almost immediately made unreasonable demands, and wrote up employee for arbitrary issues within a week of officially transitioning to full-time. She then terminated employee the next week. This law firm did not allow employee the time to adjust to the work environment and get up to speed the area of practice. This law firm, also shorted employee for more than 20 hours a week of pay.
The suit sought back pay and damages of $1,000 per plaintiff for each violation of the labor laws.
Judgment was entered against the Law Office of T.M. Palmer, LLC on January 11, 2011 for back pay and court costs of $409.09.
BEWARE OF THIS ATTORNEY!!! SHE HAS NO LEGAL EXPERIENCE.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Marijuana legalization
Recently our state has legalized medical marijuana and there has been an upspring in medical marijuana shops.
My argument is the following: up until now, marijuana research in the US has only been done on animals so from animal testing we know that marijuana use impairs because THC alters how information is processed in the hippocampus, a brain area responsible for memory formation. But we don't really know its effect on humans because as a matter of public policy, research on humans has been been denied.
Therefore, I say that our US Congresspeople (the federal government) should allow medical research to be done on human patients now being perscribed marijuana to alleviate pain. And pharmatheticals should be the ones selling the drug.
Links from reputable sites to read on the subject
NIDA
NORML
Drug Science
My argument is the following: up until now, marijuana research in the US has only been done on animals so from animal testing we know that marijuana use impairs because THC alters how information is processed in the hippocampus, a brain area responsible for memory formation. But we don't really know its effect on humans because as a matter of public policy, research on humans has been been denied.
Therefore, I say that our US Congresspeople (the federal government) should allow medical research to be done on human patients now being perscribed marijuana to alleviate pain. And pharmatheticals should be the ones selling the drug.
Links from reputable sites to read on the subject
NIDA
NORML
Drug Science
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Is it a flutter in you belly?
I am nearing the close of my 24th week of pregnancy and I have to say that it is pretty cool to feel the baby move. But I also have to say, it doesn't feel like a flutter. I don't feel like I have butterflies in my stomach. When the baby moves, the baby pokes you like a poke on Facebook. It is a poke you feel not a flutter. It was hard to imagine a flutter in the earlier weeks of pregnancy but a poke is a better word for it. You can imagine a poke.
I felt light pokes this week.
Overall, I have had a pretty good pregnancy. Nothing out of the normal. I have carpal tunnerl, acid reflux galore, and even an ear infection that has left me deaf to one ear. I seriously hope all these will soon pass.
I felt light pokes this week.
Overall, I have had a pretty good pregnancy. Nothing out of the normal. I have carpal tunnerl, acid reflux galore, and even an ear infection that has left me deaf to one ear. I seriously hope all these will soon pass.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
From Career to Expecting Mom
Time for an update of this blog. I quit the job as a paralegal a couple month back because I am expecting a baby. The decision wasn't an easy one but it was the right one. I wanted a stress free pregnancy. Being a paralegal, and working for lawyers can be stressful.
So far, I don't regret my decision to quit. I am enjoying pregnancy and the journey before delivery. Up until a couple weeks, I didn't feel pregnant because I was not showing much. I am 23 weeks and 5 days pregnant. Now the belly is really growing. I still don't feel the baby moving but it is moving.
In keeping with the theme of this blog, I am going to talk about the day to day grind of parenting and how one can be successful at being a parent, a mommy, a daddy. Motherhood and fatherhood is a job just like any other job and whether you work outside the home or stay home, you have to juggle and balance life to accomodate your kids. I will talk about my husband and how he juggles fatherhood and career, and I will talk about motherhood and how life has changed for me.
It will be a journey worth taking and full of excitement. Looking forward to it.
So far, I don't regret my decision to quit. I am enjoying pregnancy and the journey before delivery. Up until a couple weeks, I didn't feel pregnant because I was not showing much. I am 23 weeks and 5 days pregnant. Now the belly is really growing. I still don't feel the baby moving but it is moving.
In keeping with the theme of this blog, I am going to talk about the day to day grind of parenting and how one can be successful at being a parent, a mommy, a daddy. Motherhood and fatherhood is a job just like any other job and whether you work outside the home or stay home, you have to juggle and balance life to accomodate your kids. I will talk about my husband and how he juggles fatherhood and career, and I will talk about motherhood and how life has changed for me.
It will be a journey worth taking and full of excitement. Looking forward to it.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Ice Breaker
Recently, my husband and I joined toastmasters. We have to give so many speeches and evaluate so many speeches.
About 2 weeks ago, we were give ice breakers speeches. We are supposed to talk about ourselves. I thought how bad can it be to talk about oneself? It has been a week now, and I can't come up with a single thing to talk about. I keep asking myself, what is interesting about me? What do people want to know about me that is worth sharing. I am boring! =D Course, I kid myself. I am not really boring but thinking about me is difficult!
For starters, I came up with a tagline for myself.
I am dynamic and tenacious!
Marla, a class of it’s own.
Simply Marla.
Every Marla has a story.
Haha! Don't laugh!
Ok... ok... here is my outline.
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. My immediate family came to the USA in the early 1960s and became refugees. I have 2 brothers: my eldest brother, Maui was a wild one when he was younger, and my youngest brother, Marcos was the cutey one with blond hair and green eyes. I am the middle child. They say the middle child is just that, stuck in the middle, and wondering what part they play in the family. Up until this day, I am still trying to figure that out that part.
My grandparents were a big part of our upbring and childhood, and they helped shape us. They picked us up from school and baby sat us until my mother came to pick us up.
Sometimes, when my Abuelo would come home from work-- My abuelo was a cabnet carpentar and the best there was in Miami. His wood work was precise-- Well... as precise as his expectations of us. He expected us to go to school and do our best to do well. He expected all of us to attend college and graduate with whatever it was we wanted to do. His favorite saying after I would tell him what flavor of career I wanted today, was always, "Si, pero, estudia. No importa que estudes solo que estudies." He sounded like a broken record at times but it stuck in my head so much so that I ended up getting an education.
It took me 10 years to acquire my Bachelor of Arts but got it by golly, I got it! I tried to go for an even higher degree in law but met head on with failure. Nevertheless, I wanted a law degree so much, I turned to lower degree at the undergraduate level and obtained my paralegal certificate. Thus, today I have a paralegal certificate and I am working with a fine lawyer.
Second to studying, my abuelo would stress over and over again how important it was for us to learn Spanish well. He would say, "Aprende el espanol bien y aprende el castellano! Algun dia lo vas a necesitar. He would lecture how Spanish is Spanish and if you learn the castillion, you can speak to all Spanish speakers. Like most young people, I said yea yea yea, I know.
Now I look back on those days, and I think, my abuelo was a sage.
Consequently, I did listen to my abuelo because today I use my Spanish more than ever and my education has elevated my status.
However, if it hadn't been for my dear husband, I would not have completed that education. For, it would have taken me a century to complete. Not only that, but I moved away from home at 21 and little did I know how much I'd struggle. When I moved to Colorado back in 1994, I had no idea how hard it would be to make ends meet on a mere high school education. My initial work experience has taught me the value of a good education and the value of hard work.
About 2 weeks ago, we were give ice breakers speeches. We are supposed to talk about ourselves. I thought how bad can it be to talk about oneself? It has been a week now, and I can't come up with a single thing to talk about. I keep asking myself, what is interesting about me? What do people want to know about me that is worth sharing. I am boring! =D Course, I kid myself. I am not really boring but thinking about me is difficult!
For starters, I came up with a tagline for myself.
I am dynamic and tenacious!
Marla, a class of it’s own.
Simply Marla.
Every Marla has a story.
Haha! Don't laugh!
Ok... ok... here is my outline.
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. My immediate family came to the USA in the early 1960s and became refugees. I have 2 brothers: my eldest brother, Maui was a wild one when he was younger, and my youngest brother, Marcos was the cutey one with blond hair and green eyes. I am the middle child. They say the middle child is just that, stuck in the middle, and wondering what part they play in the family. Up until this day, I am still trying to figure that out that part.
My grandparents were a big part of our upbring and childhood, and they helped shape us. They picked us up from school and baby sat us until my mother came to pick us up.
Sometimes, when my Abuelo would come home from work-- My abuelo was a cabnet carpentar and the best there was in Miami. His wood work was precise-- Well... as precise as his expectations of us. He expected us to go to school and do our best to do well. He expected all of us to attend college and graduate with whatever it was we wanted to do. His favorite saying after I would tell him what flavor of career I wanted today, was always, "Si, pero, estudia. No importa que estudes solo que estudies." He sounded like a broken record at times but it stuck in my head so much so that I ended up getting an education.
It took me 10 years to acquire my Bachelor of Arts but got it by golly, I got it! I tried to go for an even higher degree in law but met head on with failure. Nevertheless, I wanted a law degree so much, I turned to lower degree at the undergraduate level and obtained my paralegal certificate. Thus, today I have a paralegal certificate and I am working with a fine lawyer.
Second to studying, my abuelo would stress over and over again how important it was for us to learn Spanish well. He would say, "Aprende el espanol bien y aprende el castellano! Algun dia lo vas a necesitar. He would lecture how Spanish is Spanish and if you learn the castillion, you can speak to all Spanish speakers. Like most young people, I said yea yea yea, I know.
Now I look back on those days, and I think, my abuelo was a sage.
Consequently, I did listen to my abuelo because today I use my Spanish more than ever and my education has elevated my status.
However, if it hadn't been for my dear husband, I would not have completed that education. For, it would have taken me a century to complete. Not only that, but I moved away from home at 21 and little did I know how much I'd struggle. When I moved to Colorado back in 1994, I had no idea how hard it would be to make ends meet on a mere high school education. My initial work experience has taught me the value of a good education and the value of hard work.
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