Birth Plans

jtayl962

What is everyone thinking for birth plan?

jtayl962

I had a cesarean with DD. I plan to have a schedule cesarean again. I have it in mind that incase he comes early, I may not be getting a cesarean 

kaym27

Also planning on doing a repeat csection. My first baby was csection due to her being breech. 

jtayl962

@kaym27 my daughter was breech my entire pregnancy 

leamarai

I was induced with my first, hoping for the same again minus the 54 hours of labor. 😂 With my husband being an attorney being able to schedule again would make it so much easier. Spontaneous labor means he may be in court and can't come to the hospital with me right away.

kaym27

They didnt know she was breech until I was 7 cm dilated in labor. The csection was quite a surprise lol

practicallypierson

My plan last time around consisted of get us both out of here safely, and I'll let you know what I need for pain relief when I feel it's necessary. It worked out pretty well, so any more detail than that feels unnecessary at this point. Though I will say, the hospital where I deliver has labor tubs (not for birth, just for laboring pre-membrane rupture), and that was very nice, so to anyone who might read this while making your own plan, if you have the option, the warm tub can give a very nice break if labor is lasting longer than expected. 

melyrae

STM so going on my last experience here!!

My suggestion is to go in with birth preferences, not a birth plan. 

I had a one page list style document that was quick and easy to read. 
I had a goal at the top - keep me and the baby safe.

A section explaining what the dr/nurse could do to make me feel comfortable (explain what they’re doing, don’t take the baby away without my husband going with, don’t use certain language that triggers my trauma/anxiety from past losses, etc). 

I had labour preferences - avoid breaking my water or inducing me with drugs (both of which happened and both of which were totally fine for me), I wanted an epidural but if not available (I gave birth during an epidural shortage), which pain management I’d want in which order of preference. 

I also had preferences of interventions in which order, if they became necessary. So I said I’d prefer vacuum to forceps, or episiotomy in an emergency situation. Then c section if necessary. 

Then a section for what guidance id like from my care team - ideas for labour and birthing positions, lots of support learning to breastfeed (I asked every nurse I saw to watch my breastfeed and give positioning/latching tips and tricks and I soon learned what worked best for us!)

So all in all, there was no “plan” but it was a good reference for my nurses to understand how I wanted to be cared for. And there was a clear list of which preferences I preferred so I didn’t have to make decisions in that moment. My nurses appreciated that it was flexible, because rigid plans rarely come true. I also suggest checking your birth plan with your dr at one of your visits (34-36 weeks ish) to see if they think it’s reasonable. 

ma-cj

No plan persay, had a c-section last pregnancy because twin A was breech. This time around I have a singleton whose looking good so far, so we might go for a VBAC! The risks were mentioned at my last appointment and I was also told if I do go vbac I'd have to sign a waiver which sounds interesting and I have to ask about that further.

Other than that though just going in with the mindset that I want a healthy and safe delivery for me and baby and whatever that looks like is fine by me.

bellybiscuits

Current plan is to deliver in a birth center unmedicated. This is baby 4 and I’m thrilled to do this one my way. I want calm and candles, low lights, also with my 3 daughters there as well. 

erinar13

@ma-cj you should totally go for a vbac! You sound like a great candidate, just make sure you have a doctor that is patient and feels really comfortable with it. There are many who have mixed feelings and sadly a lot of times that shows in their care they give. A waiver would likely just be a consent stating that you and your provider have discussed the risks of attempting a vbac and you are aware and won’t hold them liable. The consent will likely sound scary but honestly vbac success rates are usually high and the bad stuff is generally low chance. You should do some extra reading on vbac success and risks/odds, just so you’re prepared for yourself! 

ma-cj

@erinar13 I think that's the plan as of right now! The OB office I go through has a rotation of doctors that we've been sure to see all of and have a few appointments with each of them and they all give me the same feel as "this isn't a big deal and if you want to we want to. And if you want a csection again, we're cool with that too" which has been nice! The thought of thr ease of previous csection sounds nice but I also feel like I'll miss out on the crazy of vaginally delivering 😂 so I'm open to if something happens it'll be a csection but if we're good to go, vbac it is

knottieb0ad38b7c3abc54e

First time moms don’t feel the pressure to prove yourself! There’s nothing wrong with epidurals, c-sections etc inform yourself on everything and make the decision that best works for you. Or change your mind when you get there! I read some of these comments and I’m already having mom guilt and I have a little bit experience this time around… it’s all ok! Everyone’s experience is different and it will be a memory you’ll never forget. The most important thing is you are not afraid to vocalize how you feel!

practicallypierson

Yes! Absolutely do not feel pressured to have a birth that looks like anyone else's. And for a bit of context, my lack of an epidural was motivated entirely by the fact that needles completely freak me out. Like, I am more afraid of an epidural than I was of childbirth without one. I also have endometriosis, so my experience of pain is not normal. 

Also, one of the best things I did in preparing an idea of what I wanted was actually taking the childbirth class offered by my hospital. So many things get thrown around in various resources that end up not actually being available to you, or your provider might offer something you've never considered that turns out to be amazing. finding out not just what's out there in general, but what's available to you specifically ahead of time can save a lot of angst later. 

melyrae

@ma-cj if you haven’t yet, I highly recommend looking into pelvic floor physiotherapy! I have a few mama friends who swear that the pre work they did for PF physio is what enabled them to have safe, healthy VBACs! 

I even did it to prep for my first birth and am so glad I did !! Continued after birth as well for about 8 months to help with recovery. 

ma-cj

@melyrae I'll have to check that out, thank you!!