Birth plan

KackiJane · February 2021

Do you have a birth plan already in place?
If so, what does it entail??
😊❤️😊

heatherdubrow · February 2021

I've never done birth plans. I worked, for a bit, as a labor and delivery nurse and found that the most detailed plans ended up going in the opposite direction. If you do make a birth plan my suggestion would be to discuss it with your doctor. So many times people would come in with a plan, not realizing that most of the details were out of our (the nurses) control and totally in the OB's hands. Certain OBs were less friendly to certain interventions than others. So long story short, discuss it with your doctor beforehand.
Having said all that, my first 2 delivered were scary as hell. I had a placenta abruption and then a shoulder dystocia and no amount of planning would've changed that.
But easy preferences like keep the lights dimmed, breast feed right away, minimal cervix checks, delayed cord clamping? Totally fine and your nurse should have no problem.
That was longer than I intended...

kitandcat · February 2021

@heatherdubrow I agree! Think about preferences in advance, talk to the OB, and just plan on being flexible and adaptable because you never know what’s going to happen! I think the first step in this is having a doctor you know and trust (which may mean seeing several throughout your pregnancy so you’re familiar with anyone on call who could deliver your baby), because that will really help you in the birth to feel confident in their opinions and decisions.

With my first, I wanted a natural birth. Then the pitocin contractions came at a million miles an hour and I switched courses and got the epidural. I’m glad I did because 30 hours later I hadn’t progressed passed 8cm and had a csection. I can’t imagine being without meds that entire time.

I was so frightened during my second csection. I just didn’t really prepare at all and the first went well and I was super positive so I thought it’d be the same. And then it was terrifying because I wasn’t exhausted and worn out and medicated, I was just fully aware and alert and it was scary to walk myself into the freezing OR, get the meds, lay down, etc. So this time I want to really focus on breath work and meditation before hand so I have tools to help me stay calm and focused and at ease in the moment.

Kabazaba · February 2021

For my pregnancy with DD I had a midwife (instead of OB) and a doula. I planned to labor and birth at a local hospital where the midwives have privileges, and wasn't adverse to medication but did want to progress as much as I could on my own. Then found out at 35 weeks DD was breach and ended up with a scheduled c section. My one-page birth plan (including dimmed lights, walking around, not being hooked to a monitor continuously, ... ) obviously completely went out the window. Luckily because I'd been a midwife patient, and the hospital was used to midwives, my midwife was able to come into the OR with us and support us there, hold baby on me so I got skin to skin (in the OR) immediately, and we were still able to essentially create a c-section birth plan that went mostly well. So, I guess I agree with PP -- it's smart to plan and communicate that plan with your providers, but also to be flexible so you aren't too disappointed if/when something has to change. I went through a lot of disappointment and feelings of inadequacy having to have the type of birth I didn't envision for myself, but luckily in my case went through that a month before delivering. (Edited to fix typo in first sentence.)

bcliffee1 · February 2021

I went into labor naturally my first time around, was in labor for about 24hrs and DS shoulder was stuck so by the time I finally hit 10cm I had started to get a fever and they opted to do a C-section so I never got the chance to push. I was considering a VBAC but honestly I think I’ll stick to another C-section. I’m not sure how I feel about a planned day but part of me doesn’t want to go through a VBAC and then need a C-section anyways. Only plans I really want is delayed cord clamping and skin to skin after birth which I did get some with my first

tingsmom · February 2021

I had a birth plan for my son and I will have one again. We were really luckily that for the most part we stuck to plan for my son. I do agree it's important to understand the practices both the hospital and the doctor will do. Our doctor and hospital really aligned, they already do the delayed cord clamping, also do the golden hour so really my wishes mostly came down to them not asking if I want an epidural and that I didn't want to use a mirror to see that I was making progress. At one point my Dr asked and the nurse turned to the doctor and said no she doesn't want that its in her birth plan! This nurse was amazing and was super supportive. She even stayed to see through delivery even though her shift was over. She said we had a text book natural birth.

KackiJane · February 2021

I had an out of hospital water birth at a standalone birth center with a midwife. I had an all-natural water birth, delayed cord clamping, immediate skin to skin, saved my placenta, no bath, intact, no meds. I only have one choice for a midwife, and that would be my original one currently about 2h away. My birth plan is the same as with my 1st. I plan to labor as long as I can at home or where ever I may be at that time lol.

mommytobeof-4 · February 2021

I was induced my first and had an epidural. With my second, I was induced with no epidural 💪🏼 God willing, I’ll go no epidural again. From having both kinds of births, I’ll choose no epidural a million times over.

gingermama46 · February 2021

I was induced with my first. Cervidil, foley balloon, and had an epidural. Had some huge stressors a week before DS was born that caused some high BP so hoping that my BP stays down and I can labor at home more this time around to avoid induction and not spending as much time in the hospital.

vampirina · February 2021

Repeat csection probably at 37 or 38 weeks gestation depending on what the perinatologist and my OB agree upon (I had a very extensive birth plan conversation with my OB before even TTGP 🙃).

chindimples04 · February 2021

I was induced with my first at 37+1 because of gestational hypertension. I really wanted a water birth and that is my plan again this time around. Hoping I can go complication free so I can have a water birth!

mac-n-cheese · February 2021

ETA: changed username from lyndsayem

I was induced at 38 weeks for IUGR and oligohydraminos after HG my entire pregnancy. I had a late-placed epidural that didn’t take on half my body until after the birth.

This time I’m hoping for a vaginal birth again with a properly timed epidural. I have no problem admitting I have absolutely no pain tolerance.

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