Last time I did not have one and am considering making one for this time, especially since I'm hoping for a VBAC. If you had one, was if helpful? I feel like I was a little disorganized last time and missed out on some things that maybe could have happened if I wrote it down..
DD ~ 8/30/09
DS ~ 10/13/13
Re: STM's.. Birth plan?
I recommend having one and doing the research, but not showing up with it at delivery unless you want to be that pregnant woman. lol. That's what I did last time. It helped me know some of the things that could happen and be prepared for what steps I'm okay with and what I'd want to be a last resort.
The most important thing is to speak up during labor/delivery. For example, when my nurse wanted to start me on pit straight off the bat, I said I didn't want that and she listened. And I was glad because I progressed just fine without. Also make sure YH and whoever else is in the room knows your wishes. Ask your doc any questions you have before hand. Like if you want delayed cord clamping, talk to them and make sure they are on page with that. And again, don't be afraid to speak up. That really is the most important and proactive thing you can do for yourself!
Hmmmmmm, I think it seriously depends on why you think you need it. If you're expecting this document to step in an be an advocate for your wishes, skip it. If you would like to have something in writing just so you can have a rough outline of how you would like things to go, and keep for your own reference? Sound great.
I wouldn't recommend telling medical professionals what you will and will not be doing in such a cut an dry way. I would think that you could have your wishes in the back of your/DH's mind, and follow them as they come up.
I had one last time, but I didn't show up at the hospital and hand it to the midwife/nurses as a list of demands.
Like PP said, I used it as more of an outline for DH and I to discuss our thoughts on issues ahead of time, both for ideal circumstances and the alternatives. That way, if something came up during labor/delivery, we would at least have a shared understanding of our goals. We used it to guide a discussion about what was or was not reasonable during one of our last prenatal appts, and then the midwife just put it into the file.
I'll probably do the same thing this time.
Edit: I doubt the plan got more than a quick perusal by my midwife during labor, but that was okay, because I knew what I needed to communicate as things went along.
I could be wrong, but I really don't think skin-to-skin after a c-s is at all common. It's one of the many reasons I would dread a c-s if it were to come to that.
That was my birth plan with DD and this will be my birth plan with this LO.
The hospital I deliver at is awesome. Before you are in labor they send you an online survey with general birthing questions about how you want the birth to go. Then when you arrive to have the baby they ask tons of questions about your plans. They're very sensitive to all your requests.
With that said I didn't have a set plan last time and don't have one this time. As requests popped up I voiced them and everyone was great.
I got to skin to skin after my c/s. when I was in recovery I had a long time skin to skin with dd. I didn't known how important it was and I was kinda like, ok that's enough. Lol
BLOG: The Quinntessential Mommy
There's a sheet that my OB/hospital has you fill out and you go over with the OB at one of your last appointments. It covers basic stuff like who will be in the room with you, do you want a mirror, what tests do you want to decline on baby right after birth, do you want to be offered pain meds or do you want to ask for them, etc.
It was just okay for me. I mean, you kind of have an idea of what you want, but then it also kind of goes out the window and you make decisions in the moment. It's good to do from the perspective that it makes you think about what you want and prepare for it.
But don't hold it too closely or you could be disappointed.
I will have one. I have some pretty particular things... and this is a new MW and hospital for me.
DD2 | June 2011
DS1 | Oct 2013
ADD3 | Oct 2014 (April 2001)
DS2 | June 2016
DS3 | Dec 2018
Due with baby blob August 2021
I AM that lady :P
DD2 | June 2011
DS1 | Oct 2013
ADD3 | Oct 2014 (April 2001)
DS2 | June 2016
DS3 | Dec 2018
Due with baby blob August 2021