Posted by Virginia Notary Services Statewide Service on 4/18/12 9:16pm
Msg #418232

Birth Plan ???

Got a call to notarize a birth plan for a lady. Thanks goodness I was out of the area doing a signing. Whats a birth plan?

Reply by Roger_OH on 4/18/12 9:23pm
Msg #418234

Why would you care what the document is? All you're concerned with is the proper notarization of her signature, and that the document is complete.

Reply by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 4/18/12 9:28pm
Msg #418235

Geez. She's curious about what the document is.

Would you notarize a "Martian space alien resident card" without wondering what it is? Cut the lady some slack.

Reply by Julie/MI on 4/18/12 10:28pm
Msg #418240

Well since I just had a baby 3 months ago and got to interact with the youngin' women and it's when you know more than the doctors and nurses and you put it in writing how you want your birth to go in regard to when and if pain meds with be administered and if you are having a home birth and if there is a complication, which hospital or birthing center you want to be transported to. And when your husband or partner can give you ice chips or a snack. Evidentally, this birth plan is handed off to the nurses/midwives before labor. Never heard of these when I had my older children.

In a nutshell, it's a woman trying to have control, when she really won't have control. LOL
None of the ladies I know mentioned anything about having them notarized, but I cannot fathom an imposter getting fake id for this one!

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 4/18/12 11:53pm
Msg #418244

It's just a written list of preferences that a woman or couple has regarding the birth of their child regarding all kinds of things including the use of medical monitoring, drugs, testing, who can or cannot be present, where to be transported in case of an emergency, where the baby will go after the birth, etc.

A lot of people do not want or agree with the traditionally accepted methods of labor and delivery these days. Some women may agree to have their baby in a hospital but do no want all of the medical intervention that tends to happen. Some do not want their baby taken away from them to another room to be tested or vaccinated outside of their direct control. Others do not want the nurses to give their babies formula by bottle. Honestly, there are all kinds of reasons. Many of them involve births that are done at home or in a birthing center that have unexpected complications and require transport to a medical facility. This gives medical personnel a clear picture of medical permissions, similar to a POA for healthcare.

I don't think it's that unusual that one would want it notarized if the person were somehow concerned that somebody would question their wishes, especially if there were a possibility of complications or there are family members that may cause trouble.

Reply by Hugh Nations Signing Agents of Austin on 4/19/12 12:44am
Msg #418250

Birth Plan for me, 42 years ago when my daughter arrived.

"There's the door. We'll call you when it's all over."

Reply by snowflake/PA on 4/19/12 10:09am
Msg #418278

Too funny, Hugh. n/m

Reply by Luckydog on 4/19/12 1:45pm
Msg #418322

Re: Too funny, Hugh.

Sounds like a legal headache for the hospitals. We do not like to be told what to do, can you imagine a woman coming in with all these stips about where her baby can have shots, who can touch her, all these rules you place on them? No wonder maternity Drs. are rare and are dropping out of their area of expertise...malpractice... because now these mother's come in with birth plans, and will sue if not followed. Before every procedure, I had to sign a consent form...what happened to that?

Reply by Mia on 4/19/12 3:39pm
Msg #418338

Here's one.....

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA

http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcp/Patients/FCMIC/Pages/BirthPlan.aspx