Lurking from September...My OB suggests having a birth plan, but making it no longer than a page or two in outline format and only include the things that are most important to you. She said it's not really for her or the nurse/nurses caring for you when you get there, but for anyone who hasn't been involved in your care "long-term." For example, what if the nurses change shifts while you're in labor or if your doctor can't quite make it and you have to trust the one on the floor. These are the people who need to know your wishes. Like many others have said, I also recommend hiring a doula. Their job is to advocate for you. I love my husband dearly, but I know that even though we've discussed my plans, when we get there and are in the thick of it, he may not remember all we talked about. I mean, this is a stressful and emotional event for him too.
DH and I have never been planners. With our first we just went with the flow, and will do so with this one as well. Had we made any plans with my first, they wouldn't have worked out anyway as I had to be induced due to high BP. I opted for an epidural early on to help lower BP, so I didn't have the freedom to walk around and had to be hooked up to monitors. Even without a plan it would have been nice to labour a little more freely, but honestly, I don't regret how any of it went down and in the end, both baby and I came out of it all happy and healthy. My only hope for this time around is that it's a little less shocking to me than it was the first time, lol
"It's never too late to change providers..." Yes it can be too late to change providers. I found out late in the game with my first that we were not a good fit with our doctor. I took the earliest appointment possible with a new doctor but ended up delivering early at 33w5d with a horrible partner of the doctor I was trying to get away from. One of the doctors on call too was one who wasn't part of their practice and I'd never met her before. For situations like this, I'll keep my detailed birth plan. Just because something is common practice doesn't mean it is best for me and my medical history. I won't even get into the arguments that I've had to have over not getting the pertussis vaccine due to a severe allergic reaction. It is still pushed on me by nurses and doctors who aren't my primary caretakers. To each her own but I can't imagine not having my choices clearly laid out before delivery.
Sorry the the quote isn't correct here but my phone hates the quote feature.
TTC since 3/2011 Adenomyosis, LPD, hypothyroidism.
BFP on 7/20/12 after 4 cycles Clomid + IUI
2 large subchorionic hematomas & no heartbeat at 7w6d
D&E 8/18/12 Sonohysterography found septum and necrotic tissue.
Both my ob and the hospital request that you prepare a birth plan. The hospital asks that you bring many copies so that there are plenty floating around and it doesn't disappear during a shift change. I think it is understood that when women put requests/preferences on their plan, it is to be followed granted it will not harm the baby and that most women who make these would absolutely defer to a medical professional in circumstances rising theirs or their child health. It's not arrogant, or thinking you know better than someone with a medical degree to let your providers know your preferences. That birth plan everyone is saying is so crazy clearly states all that at the top. And most everything on there is stuff or hospital said to research and decide on prior to delivery. I haven't seen anyone with a plan that says "if you think I need an episiotomy, screw the baby - if you cut my vajayjay I will sue" So calm the F down! I don't know which ob will deliver out baby and we will probably only have met then once for a few minutes. I would doctor shop but there's still no guarantee I'll just stumble upon a doctor I click with. But because I have a birth plan and I know my practice and the hospital are birth plan friendly, I feel comfortable not knowing for sure which doctor it will be. We were reminded we have the right to the final say and encouraged to ask about the - risks, -benefits, -alternatives, and -what hastens if we say no or not now? For every procedure/intervention. I think that is just smart advice for anyone undergoing any medical treatment. Most medical professionals will tell you, you have to be your own advocate.
I filled out my birth plan a while back. I agree with a lot of comments that a birth plan is really just a "wish list" and you have to be prepared for things NOT to go as planned. That said, my birth plan (which was a template provided by my midwife) asked a lot more about items I want to use during labor, like a birth ball, jacuzzi, massage, etc. as well as what pushing positions I'd like to try. It also asked if DH wants to cut the umbilical cord, circumcision, etc. It asked if I'd like medical pain management options offered as well (it's REALLY annoying when you want to do natural/non-medicated and you're constantly being asked if you're "sure" you don't want anything, though it was my mom who kept asking last time - not the medical staff).
As long as you're comfortable with your midwife, the hospital, and the nurse who's with you, everything will get figured out. And if you're NOT comfortable, don't hesitate to request someone else.
Me: 25 DH: 28
Hubby's little boy - my wonderful step-son - born 5/23/10
BFP#1: 06/2010...my beautiful baby girl born 3/7/2011
BFP #2: 10/24/15...mc on 10/31/15
BFP #3: 11/27/15. EDD 8/6/16
"Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." -Winston Churchill
@MrsEWilson I just googled a template... but I would do a tour of where you are going to deliver. Alot of our preferences do not need to be in our plan because its what our hospital just does.
Oh and my midwife told me to have my ready at our 36 week appt
Re: Let's talk about - Birth Plans?
She said it's not really for her or the nurse/nurses caring for you when you get there, but for anyone who hasn't been involved in your care "long-term." For example, what if the nurses change shifts while you're in labor or if your doctor can't quite make it and you have to trust the one on the floor. These are the people who need to know your wishes.
Like many others have said, I also recommend hiring a doula. Their job is to advocate for you. I love my husband dearly, but I know that even though we've discussed my plans, when we get there and are in the thick of it, he may not remember all we talked about. I mean, this is a stressful and emotional event for him too.
Yes it can be too late to change providers. I found out late in the game with my first that we were not a good fit with our doctor. I took the earliest appointment possible with a new doctor but ended up delivering early at 33w5d with a horrible partner of the doctor I was trying to get away from. One of the doctors on call too was one who wasn't part of their practice and I'd never met her before. For situations like this, I'll keep my detailed birth plan. Just because something is common practice doesn't mean it is best for me and my medical history. I won't even get into the arguments that I've had to have over not getting the pertussis vaccine due to a severe allergic reaction. It is still pushed on me by nurses and doctors who aren't my primary caretakers. To each her own but I can't imagine not having my choices clearly laid out before delivery.
Sorry the the quote isn't correct here but my phone hates the quote feature.
I think it is understood that when women put requests/preferences on their plan, it is to be followed granted it will not harm the baby and that most women who make these would absolutely defer to a medical professional in circumstances rising theirs or their child health. It's not arrogant, or thinking you know better than someone with a medical degree to let your providers know your preferences. That birth plan everyone is saying is so crazy clearly states all that at the top. And most everything on there is stuff or hospital said to research and decide on prior to delivery. I haven't seen anyone with a plan that says "if you think I need an episiotomy, screw the baby - if you cut my vajayjay I will sue" So calm the F down!
I don't know which ob will deliver out baby and we will probably only have met then once for a few minutes. I would doctor shop but there's still no guarantee I'll just stumble upon a doctor I click with. But because I have a birth plan and I know my practice and the hospital are birth plan friendly, I feel comfortable not knowing for sure which doctor it will be.
We were reminded we have the right to the final say and encouraged to ask about the - risks, -benefits, -alternatives, and -what hastens if we say no or not now? For every procedure/intervention. I think that is just smart advice for anyone undergoing any medical treatment. Most medical professionals will tell you, you have to be your own advocate.
*edited cuz it cut off half my post
As long as you're comfortable with your midwife, the hospital, and the nurse who's with you, everything will get figured out. And if you're NOT comfortable, don't hesitate to request someone else.
Oh and my midwife told me to have my ready at our 36 week appt