Would/did you have a birth plan for your hb?

[heathenmom]

deleted

[krismarie]

hi heathenmom
i had a hb with ds and had a birthplan...some of it pertaining to the hb and some pertaining to a hospital-transfer.

i'm making another one this time, with more things for my hb that i learned from last time... i think a lot of moms have birthplans--i don't think it will be awkward.

[momto l&a]

We fly by the seat of our pants, no plans for hb's.

[BennyPai]

We had a birth plan for our home birth. Our mw encouraged us to write one. We wrote a second birth plan for a possible hospital transfer. After our first birth experience, we made sure we had complete clarity.

[ahdoula]

I am writing one and plan on giving a copy to both midwives, dh, doula, my sister and mom...basically everyone who will be here for it. Mostly because I want everyone to know HOW to support me in the way I want. And because I am realizing not all midwives all built a like. You'd think they would be able to fly by the seat of your pants, but some are very opinionated about things like dh catching the baby, how much time is spent in the water ect or ect. I want to make sure we are on the same page.

[3-StarSystem]

I think that having a "birth plan" and using it as a non-confrontational avenue to test the waters and find out her position on your beliefs/wishes is a GREAT idea.

Make it super detailed with everything you really want and see what the reponse is. Sounds good to me! That way you feel prepared in knowing how she will respond to your wishes as you'll have already ahd a chance to discuss them. Just make sure they're actually discussed!

GL, we're going through something similar right now but have had to skip the "nice" way and have gone for the direct questioning. It's a tough place to be in.

[Jilian]

I'm having a HB and I'll also make up a birth plan, not because I don't trust my MW but because she might not remember all my requests. I also will make up a hospital transfer birthplan in the case that we have to x-fer. I'm sure that one will be SUPER long.

[Patchfire]

This was my birth plan for my hb. Sam = dh, Kelly = friend acting as 'doula', and D = midwife. The last item was just something we hadn't talked about prior to 36, 37 weeks but once I brought it up she told me that they don't cut the cord until the placenta's out, so I could have left that off.


Things to Remember for the Birth/Things I Want You To Know

• Chances are, I'll need to be encouraged (forced!) to stay hydrated. There are popsicles in the freezer - grape is my first preference. There are also packets for kool-aid in the birth supplies. Packets of miso soup mix are on the middle shelf on the right, near where mac & cheese is kept. Plus, there's always good ol' water & ice, and juice.
• Last time I liked the tub, walking, and the birth ball the best. Sam, Kelly, Mom - offer occasionally if I'd like to try something different, in a yes or no format. "Do you want to go into the tub?" for example. That way I can nod or shake my head without having to talk.
• I don't want to sit/lie to push. Please, same cast of characters, ASK ME if I need help changing positions, et cetera. Kneeling on the blow-up bed, half-kneeling & half-squatting, anything that gets me OFF my bottom.
• Don't you dare announce the gender. Not even you, Sam.
• Okay, this one's actually for D. It was really distracting when I had Gillian, that the nurses were almost obsessed with getting the cord clamped and then cut. It was a lot of 'activity' around my midsection within just a few minutes after birth. Unless there's a problem, I'd like to wait at least five minutes before messing with the cord, and probably closer to ten minutes. Just enough so that things are a bit calmer than they are in those initial moments after birth!

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

I didn't for my 1st and 2nd but did for my 3rd cos at first my mw didn't seem very keen on hb. i can't remember it exactly but once i find it will post it here

[pigpokey]

I had a birth plan for my first home birth but it wasn't honored. Bad, bad situation.

At my UC it was

I would not assume things are automatic with home birth. I do not think there is enough value in that assumption to be worth it compared to the times (few though they might be) that the hb mw is not on board with popular rosey descriptions of what home birth is and is not. Or she might be having a bad day when you go into labor. I think it is important to spell out her role and have your husband or another family member committed to your birth plan.

If she's offended at any point, that's her issue. It's her job to work out with you what you both expect and then be honorable about her commitments.

[SamGroom]

wow
Thanks I hadn't thought of this. Now I am going to write one. I would say mostly for my husband.

[alegna]

I didn't because my midwife and I were on the same page. If I had a midwife like the OP has I would have one for sure.

-Angela

[habibekindheart]

My midwife asked me how I pictured my perfect birth, and that was my birth plan.

However, that midwife was perfect...a definite rarity.