s/o Giving Birth (Birth plan ?)

caffinated_tulip

I hear a lot of talk about a birth plan, and I'm thinking about putting one together. Mostly so that my preferences will be documented on paper ahead of time since I'm fairly sure I'll have other things on my mind at the time. I have a good idea about what kind of birth I'd like to have happen, but I am flexible (I understand enough to know that there is absolutely no way to plan for everything).

But, how does one make one? Is that something we'll do at my birthing class or something that I do with my OB or something that DH and I need to do on our own? 

ohashlet

I made my own and had my doula and birth instructor and midwife look it over. Mine is only for the event of a hospital transfer. I'd be happy to share it with you.

caffinated_tulip

DC2London:

My hospital gave me a form to fill out when I did the L&D tour.  You are right that you can not plan for everything, but it's definitely a good idea to have your basic preferences documented (medicated/non medicated, low-intervention, etc).  I was really big on doing skin-to-skin immediately after the birth so I told the nurse right away when I arrived, but I also asked my DH to tell the nurse immediately before pushing in case I forgot or was too preoccupied.  

That's a good idea! I really want to do that too.

And Ashlet I'd LOVE to look at your birth plan if at all possible! I'm curious about what they should even look like. 

Mrs_Liberto

You and YH should probably write one up (at least a running draft) together prior to birth classes/meeting with an OB so you can get a feel for what things are important to you. It's also a good time to sit and explain to YH why these things are important to you and how he can act as your advocate in certain situtations. (IE, if you want the room dark, he can understand why and what paths to take to make sure a nurse doesn't run in and flip all the lights on, etc). Then you can take your "wish list" to your OB appointment and see what things are standard care for the hospital and what things will need to be negotiated/discussed and what things are absolutes for you.

It's also nice to have a short, bullet pointed copy for nurses if you have a few "super important" things such as (maybe) requesting that the nurses not ever offer pain meds, or not ask you "on a scale of 1-10, what's the pain like?" or refusing an episiotomy, etc. 

What birth classes are you taking? If you are taking Bradley/Brio/Hypno, then birth plans might be much more of a focal point than they would be in a standard hospital birth class.

Even if it all goes out the window or you have to change a lot of things when the actual labor happens, I think it's good to get all of it on paper/on the table with YH and your OB ahead of time-- at least then you have some idea of what to expect.

bensbabe

Honestly (speaking from experience), this what I would do....

There are many sites that give templates of birth plans where you just fill-in the blanks.

I would go to the birthing class first. You can take a copy of the template for reference. I would ask about "typical care" during labor & delivery (ie: iv or saline lock, continuous monitoring, skin-to-skin immediately following delivery, delaying cord cutting or administration of medications/bath, etc). I would mark through the template for common practices (ie: if they already allow dad to cut the cord if non-emergent vaginal delivery, allow skin-to-skin if everything is fine w/baby, etc), and I would mark or write the most important points down. It's redundant to mark the "typical care" points. I would review it with your OB to verify, but honestly, he/she will probably tell you that "it's fine" & "present it at L&D."

This is where you have a copy for your DH. He will be your biggest advocate for pain meds, medical decisions, etc.

Oh, and make sure the plan is no longer than a page for L&D and (if you want) a separate one for nursery/baby care. Also, TBH, almost all nurseries have a policy to ask before giving a baby supplementation w/formula (usually they'll ask either you or your H), pacifier, etc. You'll have to sign consents for Hep-B or circumcision---they definitely won't do those w/o your consent.

ohashlet

bensbabe:

Honestly (speaking from experience), this what I would do....

There are many sites that give templates of birth plans where you just fill-in the blanks.

I would go to the birthing class first. You can take a copy of the template for reference. I would ask about "typical care" during labor & delivery (ie: iv or saline lock, continuous monitoring, skin-to-skin immediately following delivery, delaying cord cutting or administration of medications/bath, etc). I would mark through the template for common practices (ie: if they already allow dad to cut the cord if non-emergent vaginal delivery, allow skin-to-skin if everything is fine w/baby, etc), and I would mark or write the most important points down. It's redundant to mark the "typical care" points. I would review it with your OB to verify, but honestly, he/she will probably tell you that "it's fine" & "present it at L&D."

This is where you have a copy for your DH. He will be your biggest advocate for pain meds, medical decisions, etc.

Oh, and make sure the plan is no longer than a page for L&D and (if you want) a separate one for nursery/baby care. Also, TBH, almost all nurseries have a policy to ask before giving a baby supplementation w/formula (usually they'll ask either you or your H), pacifier, etc. You'll have to sign consents for Hep-B or circumcision---they definitely won't do those w/o your consent.

 

DrBeepersWife

I had a birth plan, but it wasn't nearly as detailed as some.  I mainly wanted DH to cut the cord, skin-to-skin contact, no Hep B shot, no formula (unless medically necessary) or pacifiers.  I was lucky my hospital promotes all of these things!

I knew I wanted a med birth, if I ended up with a c-section, so be it.  I really tried to be open minded about what was happening.  That doesn't mean I didn't care about my birth expierience.

kyfirewife

I did my own.

I reviewed it with my Ob, and some of the newborn-in-hospital-care with our chosen pedi, but it was really more for me & DH.

Looking back, I didn't need to be nearly as detailed as I was, but at the same time I think it helped me prepare mentally, helped me know what I wanted and why.

If we ever have another LO, I will probably go ahead & do another one, just not nearly as detailed this time around. But I think it's a really good idea to do so that you both make sure you are considering everything, and what you both want and why.

lwogsland

as a labor/delivery nurse...i hate birth plans...when patients are admitted, we fill out a hospital birth plan and discuss your plans for birth/beyond...and then i can support you and help you have the delivery, etc that you want...

if i get handed a sheet, it just turns me off..i'd much rather you straight out tell me what you want. i.e. you want to try a natural delivery...you tell me that..and i will support you and advocate for you..and be there to help you deal with the pain.