TABLE 1.

Birth Plan Content for Second-Stage Labor

• Please wait until I feel the urge to push before asking me to push.

• Please allow me to do whatever comes naturally when pushing (I may or may not choose to hold my breath).

• Please do not count to 10 during each of my pushing efforts. Allow me to bear down and hold it as long as I feel comfortable.

• Please let me know how I am doing and offer words of encouragement.

• Please allow me to position myself for comfort and help me to change position often.

• Please do not push my legs back while I am pushing. Allow me to keep my feet flat on the bed if I choose to push in that position.

• Please watch how my baby tolerates pushing and use the fetal heart rate pattern to guide your pushing directions.

• Please do not massage or stretch my perineum while I am pushing. Allow my perineum to stretch naturally.