Do I need a written birth plan/preferences?

sbevmc09 · January 2013

I am with a small practice (3 CNMs and 1 OB) that leans more towards the traditional midwifery model of care. They're probably slightly more medically oriented than the local CPMs, but not much. They're very hands off, trust your body, willing to be open minded, very supportive of VBACs and natural birth and know how to support natural births, etc. but I will be delivering in a (baby-friendly) hospital so they're bound by some hospital procedures (just things like they have to discourage eating during labor, wireless CFM is required for VBACs, no pushing in the tub because of the wireless CFM/VBAC, that kind of thing).

Anyway, I didn't have a very good experience last time (I was with a different practice, a very large OB practice) so this time I started out planning to have a specific written birth preferences list so that everyone was on the same page. However, since forming a relationship with my MWs and going over everything with them, the majority, if not all, of my preferences are standard practice for them. One of the MWs will be in the hospital with me the entire time (providing labor support, not just in the hospital managing my labor) so I'll be dealing directly with them rather than nurses at the hospital. So now I'm second guessing whether it's even necessary to write anything up because my MWs already know my preferences.

If you were in my situation would you still write up a list of birth preferences or is it unnecessary since my MWs and I are on the same page and they will be there with me? Would there still be a benefit to having a copy in my hospital file or something?

tokenhoser · January 2013

I had a written birth plan so I knew what I wanted. I never gave it to the nurse, because I was pretty much ready to push when she entered the picture. It was a communication tool for me, DH, my doula, and my doctor.

clariknittist · January 2013

I would think it can't hurt to have it all articulated and organized, but if it means anything, I procrastinated on mine (i.e. never wrote it - thought I would have more time!) and went into the hospital with nothing but an understanding between my husband and me. Luckily, he understood how important staying med-free was to me, and was able to speak for me throughout if I couldn't answer questions through contractions. This was a semi-natural birth friendly hospital, but I would say NB is not the norm there. Several of the nurses in recovery said it's so rare for them to have a totally NB mom these days, which really surprised me.

I think whatever you do, it sounds like you already have a really great support system in place - wishing you a happy healthy delivery!!

danuli8 · January 2013

I think having it written out is a useful tool for you to clarify in your mind what you envision for your birth--and it can't hurt to have it on hand for any nurses who may be involved.

I am really, really glad I wrote up a birth plan. I went to my 24-week appointment to go over it with my OB and there were some pretty major differences of opinion. As a result, I am switching to a CNM for the rest of my prenatal care. Talking things over is good, but having it in black and white is even better, IMO.

MrsBigTime · January 2013

I do not think a written birth plan is necessary if you trust your practitioners. I was comfortable with my MW practice and their low intervention practices for birth, so I felt writing something out was not needed.

I made sure to speak with them about my wishes, which I feel were pretty simple (no eye ointment, immediate skin to skin and delayed cord clamping), all of which were pretty standard with my MWs. I also made sure DH knew my wishes and was comfortable with them, so that in the event I could not speak up, he would be able to. I even told him, in the event of a c-section, please tell the doctor I want sutures and not staples - thankfully, that bit was unneeded.

My labor was very fast and the MW was in the room most of the time, so my wishes and preferences were upheld, but even so, the nurses I had were fabulous and supported me just the way I needed without any effort from me (our hospital is also baby friendly). So, no, I don't think a written birth plan is absolutely necessary.

Temp76535187505890 · January 2013

With my second I was in a similar situation as you except I gave birth within a birth center in a hospital. I had 4 MWs within an OB practice and came to them late in my pregnancy due to a relocation. After the second appointment with my MWs I didn't feel like I needed to do any sort of written plan because every single thing I wanted was standard procedure within the birth center. I think, since your MW will be labor sitting that you wont need one but if you're asking the question there might be a part of you that still thinks you need to. It can't hurt, after all.

aylafsu88 · January 2013

IMO it might be best to have some plan on hand. Even though most of the things you would like are standard in the practice, you never know what could happened and how your labor will go. If you have a plan there is no confusion and your H will be able to easily read/communicate your plan. I think it is better to be on the safe side and have a plan just in case.

Amanda&EricB · January 2013

I didn't have a written plan. My husband was aware of my wishes, and when I got to the hospital, I told the nurse what I was hoping for. I had amazing nurses and a very patient doctor. They were all aware of my wishes, and my openness to other ideas if the need arose. I didn't see the need for anything written.

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