Birth Plan?

shanaynerz · April 2014

I've been wondering, did you ladies even worry about a birth plan with multiples? Ladies on my BMB are starting to wonder about a birth plan, and I'm sitting here like, "well, I'd like x, y, and z, but realistically?" I guess I'll go over it with my OB like last time, but really, did you worry about it too much? If you've had a singleton, too, how did a birth plan differ with multiples? There's a few things I'd like that could probably be done even with a C-section (skin-to-skin, DH being by my side, DH cutting cords, DD first person to meet babies after us) that I suppose I should run by my OB.

Jules_Shamblin · April 2014

As a FTM, I've been wondering about this too. I'd love to hear people's opinions!

KatieGummow · April 2014

I didn't make a plan. Too much could happen. I talked to my OB about what I would like to happen and she tried her best to follow it. It was really nice because even though I would have preferred a natural birth, I wasn't upset that I had to get a c sec!

lynnyrd80 · April 2014

I don't have a birth plan and didn't last time. I'm pretty laid back, so my goal is just to make decisions as needed. I'm assuming there will be less flexibility this time as far as options go. I'd prefer not to have a c-section, but it seems like there is a much higher chance for multiples.

raraavis28 · April 2014

I did a birth plan at the advice of our childbirth class instructor.....it was beneficial in just learning about what kinds of options there are, or having an idea of what I might get asked about, but, when push came to shove (no pun intended) I ended up having pretty much no choices in how their birth took place....so I was glad that I didn't get my heart set on anything I had put in my birth plan.

So yeah....I'd say it's a good idea to think about some of those details but don't get too attached to a birth plan either.....same as a singleton birth, I suppose, except that your chances of any plans going out the window are higher w/ multiples.

carrotcake06 · April 2014

It's def a good idea to talk w your OB about birth options - not so much a set plan, but more about a series of contingency plans. If this situation, then this type of birth.

I wanted a vag delivery and so we talked about that early on. When A stayed breech, we switched to scheduling c/s but didn't talk too much about what that would be like and I would have liked to know a bit more about what happens during a c/s.

In the end for me it didn't matter, though.

Angelahelena · April 2014

I'm working on one now. Could use ideas

Manada · April 2014

We haven't really talked about it yet, but I think I'd like to make one just so that we do talk about all the options that will go on it, and have a chance to talk to our care team about it as well.

For me though, it would be a lot less about the actual "birthing" process and much more about our preferences around it and for our babies-- I don't actually expect that I will get much "say" in things like birthing positions or how many people are around though...   Things that ARE important though is for us to have it emphasized what we want to happen to our babies after the birth (ie. skin-to-skin and BF asap, delaying exams & ointment until after bonding) and things I don't want done to me (ie. episiotomy, forceps used, or any medication that may make me sleepy or out of it).   For me it feels important to have this documented as many of those things are a matter of course with a hospital birth.

I have a feeling though our birth plan will focus much less on birth options, and mostly on after-care and "ideal conditions" though.   we'll see, maybe my partner will have more concrete ideas on this after we do more learning and will want something different.

JodiAriel · April 2014

This was mine, I ended up with alot of interventions because of my 3 day induction but at least they were aware of my wishes and were able to follow what they could:

For Jodi:

Please minimize the use of adhesive tape as I am very sensitive to the tape.

I would prefer the use of Toradol to narcotics unless I am unable to tolerate the pain on Toradol if I have a c-section

I am very sensitive to narcotics; if they must be used please give anti-nausea medication (Zofran) with any narcotic.

Please do not use surgical glue/dermabond on me as it causes scarring (please see right hand pinky and ring fingers)

Although I agree to have an epidural catheter placed to be used in the instance of a c-section, I intend to try to go med-free and request that pain medication is not offered to me. I will ask for it should I decide I need it.

We are going to be taking our placentas home with us for encapsulation. Please notify the lab this prior to sending them so they can be released to us. They need to be kept cold (we have brought a cooler).

For our girls:

It is important to us to have their weights photographed. If for some reason Jason is not in the room when they are born and they are medically stable please have a nurse take a photograph recording their weights if possible.

We do not consent to the Hepatitis B Vaccine for either of our girls

We do not consent to Erythromycin ointment for either of our girls

Twin A is Emerson Lily (Emmy). Twin B is Ellis Willow (Ellie).

C-Section:

If general anesthesia is used, please initiate skin to skin contact with Jason as soon as possible.

If general anesthesia is used and the babies are stable please assist with initiating breastfeeding as soon as possible even if I am still groggy (it takes me a very long time to awaken completely from GA)

Labor/Vaginal Delivery:

Although we understand monitoring is necessary we would prefer to keep monitoring to a minimum and allow as much movement as possible. We would like to try telemetry first before resorting to being monitored in the bed.

Please help me to remain as upright as possible during pushing in the OR.

If possible we would like for the cord to stop pulsing before it is cut. Jason would like to cut the cords.

Our pediatrician is:

Diana Lopusny, MD

Manada · April 2014

@JodiAriel - thank you for sharing! I really appreciate the simplicity and clarity of your BP, it will help us create ours I think.

SWA80 · April 2014

I didn't have one and it ended up being completely out of my hands anyway so I'm glad I didn't have expectations. I wanted to try for a vaginal birth but when the babies needed to come out, my B was too small for them to be comfortable with it so I had a c-section. Then, they had to go immediately up to the NICU so I didn't have the opportunity to touch them at all before they went. They just stopped by my head on the way up, held them up for me to see and said "This is baby A. This is Baby B". My husband went up to the NICU with them, which we did know was going to happen. They asked if I wanted them to tell me what was happening during the c-section and I did but I wouldn't think you'd need a plan in place for something like that. Honestly, there were a TON of people in the room and I had zero control over what was happening because it was all about the babies and that was where I wanted the focus to be.

Turkygurl · April 2014

My doctor, midwife, and I all laugh about the "birth plans" they get. Last year my dr got a 7 page typed birth plan for a singleton birth. Half the stuff isn't allowed via hospital policy anyway. They asked if I had one and I said, "I don't think I need to type one for you. I'd like a vaginal delivery if possible, with an epidural as soon as is feasible with my labor. If I need a c-section, please cut along my current scar and do your best to make my tummy skin as tight as it was before. If I can go vaginal, I'd like DH to cut the cord for Baby A and I'd like to cut it for Baby B. No formula supplements or pacifiers as I'll be EBF. If there are questions that arise, ask me. You could ask DH, but he's just going to ask me anyway."

SandraPB1220 · April 2014

If I've learned one thing through my life it's that you can't plan anything! But that doesn't mean you can't be prepared. Our plan is to write down what we would like to happen in certain situations. During labor I'd like such and such music played, who I want in the room during each stage, etc. And then do a loosely guided plan for each situation. If we can do vaginal, this is how I would like it to go, if we have to do a C-section, this is how I would like it to go, etc. And of course, after the birth this is who we want to visit, this is what we want/don't want, etc. Like PPs said, just don't get too attached to any one part of it. Unless it's something you're absolutely not willing to budge on, for instance, my husband knows (as will the doctors and nurses) that forceps and vacuum will ABSOLUTELY NOT be used during my birth. Just know your options and make sure your partner knows what you want in case you are unable to tell the staff yourself.

Turkygurl · April 2014

I was adamant about having no forceps or vacuum during my first delivery (11 years ago tomorrow). My DD's head was so round that it was stuck. After pushing to no avail for 90 min with her stuck in my pelvis, I was presented with the choice: vacuum or csection. I chose vacuum.

Want a personalized experience?

Birth Plan?

Re: Birth Plan?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards