Birth plans

[Yvonne Belisle]

I am trying to figure out my birthplan. I have been looking them up online and was wondering if anyone else is doing this.

[Kalika]

I did one with my first... and didn't use it. :p :lol:

Though, I think I will go in with something regarding C-Sections as a last resort. I don't think my doctor would push for it if I wind up having a long labor, but I want my wishes down in writing before going in so that we're clear on everything.

[Chesna]

I had one with my first..didn't follow it at all!!! (hehehe) For this one..try to avoid a C-section..thats all!!!
The book they give us at our first OB appt has a goodwork sheet on developing one..i can see later today if it is on line somewhere.

Chesna

[DreamSpell333]

I didnt have one with hannah. Just went with the flow of what happened. I started out not having drugs. Tryed the jacuzzi,which didnt help,and opted for a shot..didnt help..walking didnt help,so I ended up getting the epidural,and so glad I did! :) art, with olivia..he slept alot. I dont know if it was grief for his part,or he was just tired,but I'd like him to get some time off once I go into labor so he can be there with me,and hopefully not comatose like before! both times though,he's said to me. are you almost there yet?? meaning..are you to 10 yet? I just want to slug him! so i think this time around,i'll tell hm not to rush me or I'll hurt him! lol j/k
Good luck to all of you who are going to give birth in a few weeks/month..

[Yvonne Belisle]

My other four I went with the flow but I keep thinking that it would be nice to have everyone on the same page so to speak.

[Kalika]

My other four I went with the flow but I keep thinking that it would be nice to have everyone on the same page so to speak.

Definitely. :) Will make YOUR life less stressful, at the very least!

[Yvonne Belisle]

That was my thinking too

[RubyRose]

Looked into the whole idea, but in the end I was booked into the hospital to be induced, so it wasn't necessary

[DixieWitch]

I've been looking at the ones online where yo answer some questions then it prints out the birthplan for you. I didn't ahve one with my other 2. But the 2 times I've been admitted to the hospital this go around, both nurses have suggested I use one. But it has to be approved by my doctor AND the head nurse. If I remember, I will ask him about it at my next visit on the 6th. I'm not sure if I want one or not. I have a vision in my head of how I want things to go, but that could be totally wrong!!

[Mishka]

I had one for my first child and my midwife went over it with me. Some nurses pay attention, some feel annoyed and threatened by them.

It was fairly simple...please no shaving, no enema. I would prefer a hep lock rather than being on the I.V.. I would like freedom of movement between the monitoring of the baby every hour to help facilitate labor and help me relax. i.e. using the shower, sitting on the toilet, or walking.

I tried to show that I understood the medical "safety net" and work with it and still have my own way. i.e. Should I request medication I have discussed it with my doctor and would prefer __________. (shot, epidural, etc). Should a C-section be necessary I would like my husband present.

The most helpful support I had going into the hospital was my doula. She taught my childbirth class and having someone to advocate and support me was very comforting (my husband is great, but I need him to talk to me not the nurses). She worked with the nurses, I didn't have to. I didn't want to. They weren't bad, just they knew their business and didn't have time for me and what I wanted. Especially when I arrived it was time to push and that threw a wrench into their preparations.

My second child was breech, so I went to the hospital with my midwife but no birth "plan". I was very released to "what will be will be" in regards to a C-section. I was able to give birth naturally, everything went fine. The nurses were experienced with natural breech births as was the doctor, so I once again, did not have to advocate for myself.

Going in at peace with how your body labors, inner knowing of what you need...that confidence combined with a willingness to work with the medical where necessary...will probably help things go peacefully for you.

Just fyi, bath or shower is fine...I don't recommend a jacuzzi. You need soothing and jacuzzis in labor really are not.

[kardell]

I am in the middle of trying to sort mine out, i have had a look on the internet to give me some ideas but how do you request or ask for something when you have no idea how these things go, or what the stages are:dis:

I think its a bit overwhelming to ask first time mothers what they want when they have no idea what its going to be like.

[Willow Rosette]

I went in wanting to have Victoria with out drugs. That was my main thing. Turned out she was face up instead of face down. At first I said ok give me a shot of something. I never ever felt that kick in, so eventually I went with the epidural. If I have another one I would like to have a water birth though.

[LadyKaty]

If I were to have another child? Most of my birth plan would be focused on keeping my in-laws away from me during and after my labor and delivery.

I might decide no epidural unless there is a medical necessity for a c-section. I didn't need one when I had my daughter, were I to have another child, I highly doubt I'd need one again.

Other than that? It's really up to you as to whether or not you want quiet music, or to be in water while you labor, and what your doctor and hospital or birth center will allow.

The only advice I have is to work with your doctor and hospital/birth center, make sure that if there are people you absolutely do NOT want at your labor/birth experience, that you make it clear they are NOT allowed in, and if you have to, register anonymously with the hospital, and they won't even tell anyone if you're THERE, let alone what room you're in.

[Mishka]

I am in the middle of trying to sort mine out, i have had a look on the internet to give me some ideas but how do you request or ask for something when you have no idea how these things go, or what the stages are:dis:

I think its a bit overwhelming to ask first time mothers what they want when they have no idea what its going to be like.

Keep it basic.

Shaving and enemas are not necessary for any birth.

Having a hep lock instead of the full I.V. which leads to more freedom of movement, but still cooperates with medical necessity.

If you and your SO know about medication you can have a better idea of what you would prefer...I think I wanted to try a shot of something before an epidural...(can't remember what that was), but I never needed it.

No, you don't know what you'll need going in but you can be informed and see how things pan out. The birth plan is so that someone else isn't making the decision for you by habit. After what you've read what do you think you're willing to work with. You still might have some surprises.

If you're a private person than note that. In-laws, family, friends need to wait to see the baby until you are in your room and tidied up. The last thing I'd want is my Dad to walk in while I'm getting my booty sewn up.

Yes, I tore. I didn't want them to do an episiotomy, my body knows how to heal itself, and they know how to sew a cut up. My body only tore as far as it needed to. Whereas the episiotomy is as long as the doctor is used to doing. Your body might not tear that far, or at all, and you might be able to heal without stitches. The scars healed perfectly and the last baby needed one tiny stitch. Episiotomy or not, it's uncomfortable, but you heal.

I hope whatever happens that you are happy with your birth experience. There are so many stories, miraculous and terrible, and I hope yours will be not only a healthy and safe mama and baby, but also a wonderful story to pass on to the daughters that come after you.