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My Birth Plan

Overview

Name: ___________________________________. Partner's name: _____________________________.

Doctor or midwife's name: __________________________. Today's date: _____________________.

This birth plan is a guide for my labor and delivery. Since childbirth does not always go as planned, some of this birth plan may change.

Place and people

I would like to deliver my baby:

__ In a hospital: _______________________________________(name, phone number).

__ In a birthing center: _______________________________________(name, phone number).

__ At home.

I would like my baby to be delivered by:

__ My family doctor: _________________________________________(name).

__ My obstetrician: ________________________________________________.

__ My midwife: ____________________________________________________.

__ My perinatologist: _______________________________________________.

I'd like these people to be with me during labor and birth:

__ Partner: ________________________________________________(name).

__ Friend(s): _____________________________________________________.

__ Family: _______________________________________________________.

__ Doula: ________________________________________________________.

During labor

__ I'd like to be able to go back home if I'm not in active labor.

After I've been admitted, I'd prefer:

__ To eat if I wish to.

__ To drink clear fluids instead of having an IV.

__ To walk and move around if I can.

I'd like to try:

__ A birthing chair.

__ A birthing stool.

__ A squatting bar.

__ A birthing tub or pool.

When the time comes to push, I'd like to:

__ Be coached on when to push and for how long.

__ Push when I feel I need to (instinctively).

I'd prefer to use the following position(s):

__ Half lying down (semi-reclining).

__ Squatting.

__ Lying on my side.

__ Whatever feels best at the time.

I'd like to use the following for pain management:

__ Acupressure

__ Breathing techniques

__ Self-hypnosis

__ Massage

__ Medicine

__ Other: _______________________________________________________________.

__ Please do not offer me pain medicine. I'll ask for it if I need it.

If I decide to use medicine for pain, I prefer:

__ Epidural anesthesia.

__ Local anesthesia.

__ Pudendal or paracervical block.

__ An opioid.

Birth

I would like to:

__ Take all possible steps to avoid an episiotomy.

__ View the birth using a mirror.

After the birth, I'd like to:

__ Hold my baby right away, before any procedures that are not urgent.

__ Breastfeed as soon as possible.

__ Have my partner cut the umbilical cord.

C-section

If I have a C-section, I:

__ Would like to see my baby coming out.

__ Would like my partner present during the operation.

After the birth

After delivering the baby, I'd like to:

__ Have my partner be with the baby whenever I can't be.

__ Stay in a private room.

__ Have my partner stay with me in my room.

__ Breastfeed only.

__ Bottle-feed with formula only.

Please offer my baby:

__ Formula.

__ Pacifier.

__ Nothing without my permission.

I'd like my baby to be:

__ In my room 24 hours a day.

__ In my room only when I'm awake.

__ With me only for feeding.

__ With me based on how well I feel at the time.

If I have a baby boy:

__ I'd like him circumcised at the hospital.

__ I'll have him circumcised later.

__ I will not have him circumcised.

__ I'll decide about circumcision later.

Related Information

Credits

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Dear patient

I am excited to announce that I will be relocating my practice to Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates. Starting November 4, 2024, my new address will be:

Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates
6550 Fannin St.
Smith Tower, Suite 1901
Houston, TX 77030

Please note that my phone number and fax number will also change to the following:
24-Hour Telephone: 713-441-1100
Fax: 713-790-2643
Clinical Support Telephone (M-F, 8-5): 713-441-3515

I am excited about caring for you in my new office and hope you will make the transition with me. I will also continue to refill your medications as I have in the past. To assist, please provide your pharmacy with my new contact information.

Please consider checking your prescription refills to verify that you have enough medication on hand to last you until your next visit. Please note that your medical records will remain at my former office until you authorize their transfer. If you choose for me to continue providing your medical care, please complete and sign the enclosed “Authorization for Release of Medical Records” form and fax it to 713-790-2643. Once we receive your authorization, we will be happy to process the request for you.

Thank you for entrusting me with your medical care. My new team and I are dedicated to making this transition as seamless as possible. For help scheduling an appointment and transitioning your care, please call my new office number above.

I look forward to continuing your care at my new location.

Sincerely,
Gopi A. Shah, MD

Dear patient

Dr. Albert Raizner, Dr. Michael Raizner, and Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary are excited to announce that our practice, Houston Cardiovascular Associates, will merge with Houston Cardiovascular Associates on November 1, 2024.

Our new offices are similarly located in Houston, near the Texas Medical Center and in Sugar Land. Our in-hospital care will continue at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center and Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Importantly, our new offices expand our services with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities. Our core values will always be, as they began over 40 years ago when Dr. Albert Raizner founded HCA:

Integrity – Compassion – Accountability

Our new address and contact information are:

Your medical records are confidential and remain available at our new locations. We consider it a privilege to serve as your cardiologists and look forward to your continuing with us. However, should you desire to transfer to another physician, you may request a copy of your records by contacting us at our new addresses and phone numbers listed above.

We thank you for your trust and loyalty. As always, we will continue to be here to take care of you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Albert Raizner,
Dr. Michael Raizner,
Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary