Birth Plans

jlharrell1981

I have noticed several ladies mentioning their birth plans. At what point do you sit down with your practitioner and discuss your birth plan? I have the What To Expect Pregnancy planner and I have used the one that is given as an example but have not discussed it with my doctor. I know it is still very early just didn't know when to expect that convo. Thanks!

MamabirdtoBe

I'd say right away, so you know if you need to switch doctors or not!

BetchySprout

I will be discussing my VBAC plans with my midwife at my first appointment. If they are not supportive, I will get a new one, stat. Good luck! 

Nechie122

Mine told me we'd "spent a lot of time talking about labor" about halfway through my pregnancy. She already knows I want to go natural and the whole practice is known for being a proponent of drug-free births. She already gave me a list of classes to take too.

Mrs.McLovin

If there is something specific you want, ask early. Otherwise, there is plenty of time to talk about a birth plan in the third tri.

iris427

I would talk to your OB/MW about your desires for your birth at the very first appointment with them.  That way if they don't mesh with you, there is plenty of time to search for someone who does.

As for a formal, written birth plan, I think that can wait until after the first tri. 

bikernun

With my first two in the first trimester I discussed with my OBGYN. This pregnancy is a little different because we are in the Army and the OBGYN is not going to be my permanent one. We'll be moving in about two months. Which means even though I'm in the system I'll still have to go back over my plan with the new OBGYN that they will assign me. Sigh**

luvdv8

I agree with PPs about talking to your OB as soon as you can about you general expectations (natural, VBAC, etc.) because you may find that your OB isn't the best person for your particular situation.

I'm not a huge proponent of the formal, written down, taken to the hospital, birth plan... I have yet to meet one person whose birth went EXACTLY the way they had "planned" it and I think that people generally enjoy the birthing experience more when they go in with the assumption that whatever is best for mom/baby is the right decision. Generally those birth plans that you fill out are done in third tri because so many changes can happen even before you get in the delivery room (pregnancy complications, baby's positioning, etc).

I think the best thing you can do is have a really good communication with your OB from the start that way when the day comes they have a good idea of how you want to handle thing should changes come up.

jlharrell1981

I'm a planner - and I know that with pregnancy, very little about labor can be planned. I think I would do better knowing what to expect and having my few wishes outlined and considered. Thanks for all the advice. I'll be talking to my OB at my next appointment at the end of the month. Thanks!