Birth Plan Advice

[enchantinglysimple]

I was thinking about writing a birth plan (well I actually found one of those forms online you fill out) but I never did one with my first birth at the hospital so I am a little unsure of how to fill out some of it. I didn't know you could be so choosy with what you want to happen during labor and after the baby is born. Will they really listen to whats in my plan, as far as most of it goes (other then if there is some kind of emergency)? I haven't actually discussed a lot of this with my doctor, I guess I should before the big day comes. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow so that would probably be a good time.

SO do any of you have any advice or opinions when it comes to filling out a Birth Plan? What would you consider very important to include? If you need more info about my preferences feel free to ask.

Thanks in advance!

[mamadelbosque]

I did one last time, and tbh I don't know that they looked at it... I've been meaning to write/fill one out this time too, but it just hasn't happend yet... and just... yeah. I'll have a doula there, so I'm hoping she & DH & my family can communicate my wishes...

[enchantinglysimple]

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque

I did one last time, and tbh I don't know that they looked at it... I've been meaning to write/fill one out this time too, but it just hasn't happend yet... and just... yeah. I'll have a doula there, so I'm hoping she & DH & my family can communicate my wishes...

Thats kind of what I was thinking, I figure I can remind my husband what to communicate to them or if I am able I can myself. I have been told it's good to write a birth plan but I'm not super picky about a lot of the normal procedure at the hospital other than a couple things. My ds has been extremely healthy pretty much since birth, so I'm not too worried about having most of the same stuff done. I had a C-section with him and wasn't able to do some things like breastfeed because we had issues with that because of the way he would suck, so thats the only thing I am really going to make sure I can have my way with.

[redpajama]

As a doula, I often tell my clients that I think the value of writing a birth plan comes in *writing* the birth plan more than in *having* one. As far as how they're treated in the hospital, I've seen some nurses pay a lot of attention to them, even reminding my clients of things like, "Your birth plan says you would like a mirror during pushing--would you like me to go get one?" Or whatever. I've seen others who don't read them.

I personally don't put a ton of stock in birth plans. I think it's good to consider your options (which is why, I suppose, *making* one can be valuable), but I guess I personally feel like there's a lot to be said for NOT "planning" your birth too precisely. Better, in my opinion, to be well aware of your options and to make your preferences known as your labor and birth unfold.

If you are going to make one, though, my biggest piece of advice is to keep it as short and simple as you can. A lot of those online programs prompt you to answer a million questions, and then render you this 4-page "Birth Plan" that you can be assured everyone isn't going to read. If you want, do the online birth plan, then copy it to a Word (or similar) document, and pare it down considerably before printing it. Begin by omitting things that are not standard practice at your birthplace anyway (for instance, it's probably not going to be necessary to tell the staff that you do not wish to be shaved or given an enema upon arrival at the hospital--but most of these birth plan prompts seem to ask that...in fact, I've often wondered what would happen if you wrote into your birth plan that you *did* want them to shave you and give you an enema when you arrive, but that's another story). Next, go through and select the few things that are most important to you. Saying things like, "I want to be able to move around freely during my labor" is really unnecessary--your ability to move around freely during your labor is going to be a result of other decisions (having an IV, allowing continuous fetal monitoring, having pitocin, or narcotics, or an epidural...you get the idea). So rather than telling someone you want to be able to move around freely, perhaps you want to decline an IV upon admission to the hospital and request intermittent fetal monitoring. Which you might put in your birth plan, I suppose--or you might just inform them of that decision when the time comes.

It's wise to talk with your doctor/take a tour/ et cetera to become informed of what the protocols are at that hospital. That way, you can be prepared for what things you will have to specifically request or maybe push for, which things will just happen automatically the way you prefer, and which things may just not be an option for you at that particular birthplace.

[enchantinglysimple]

Originally Posted by redpajama

As a doula, I often tell my clients that I think the value of writing a birth plan comes in *writing* the birth plan more than in *having* one. As far as how they're treated in the hospital, I've seen some nurses pay a lot of attention to them, even reminding my clients of things like, "Your birth plan says you would like a mirror during pushing--would you like me to go get one?" Or whatever. I've seen others who don't read them.

I personally don't put a ton of stock in birth plans. I think it's good to consider your options (which is why, I suppose, *making* one can be valuable), but I guess I personally feel like there's a lot to be said for NOT "planning" your birth too precisely. Better, in my opinion, to be well aware of your options and to make your preferences known as your labor and birth unfold.

If you are going to make one, though, my biggest piece of advice is to keep it as short and simple as you can. A lot of those online programs prompt you to answer a million questions, and then render you this 4-page "Birth Plan" that you can be assured everyone isn't going to read. If you want, do the online birth plan, then copy it to a Word (or similar) document, and pare it down considerably before printing it. Begin by omitting things that are not standard practice at your birthplace anyway (for instance, it's probably not going to be necessary to tell the staff that you do not wish to be shaved or given an enema upon arrival at the hospital--but most of these birth plan prompts seem to ask that...in fact, I've often wondered what would happen if you wrote into your birth plan that you *did* want them to shave you and give you an enema when you arrive, but that's another story). Next, go through and select the few things that are most important to you. Saying things like, "I want to be able to move around freely during my labor" is really unnecessary--your ability to move around freely during your labor is going to be a result of other decisions (having an IV, allowing continuous fetal monitoring, having pitocin, or narcotics, or an epidural...you get the idea). So rather than telling someone you want to be able to move around freely, perhaps you want to decline an IV upon admission to the hospital and request intermittent fetal monitoring. Which you might put in your birth plan, I suppose--or you might just inform them of that decision when the time comes.

It's wise to talk with your doctor/take a tour/ et cetera to become informed of what the protocols are at that hospital. That way, you can be prepared for what things you will have to specifically request or maybe push for, which things will just happen automatically the way you prefer, and which things may just not be an option for you at that particular birthplace.

Great advice Redpajama! Thank you so much for your response, I think I might see if I can do a tour of the hospital (hopefully) before I deliver to get a feel for some of their protocols. Thanks again for your input I don't think I will write a birth plan exactly but I will make sure I voice what I would like to have happen if those things are possible.