Birthplan?

Do you have a birthplan? I figured I would just go in there when it's time and tell them I want the drugs and that's that. Not even sure what goes into making a birthplan. Who has one and what does it include? Do you really need one?

Re: Birthplan?

I think it's good to know what you would like, but realistically, things can change so quickly, I had a birth plan and nothing went according to plan.

Re: Birthplan?

I asked my OB about a birth plan with my first baby & he told me "Down and Out... that's your plan" I have to say he was right!
I ended up going way past my due date & had to be induced, which I would have rather not, but it's one of the many things out of your control. Then I hoped I wouldn't need an epidural but caved because the contractions were so strong... ended up being the best thing but initially I wouldn't have planned for it. Also due to monitoring the baby's heart rate & the fact that I needed an IV with my first baby because I was group B strep positive, I couldn't walk around at all during labor like I'd imagined & instead was confined to the bed the whole time... bummer but again one of the many things I couldn't control.
So I couldn't have it my way completely anyway... but everything worked out totally fine. So it's not a bad idea to know what your preferences are in case you do have a say but for the most part, things will be out of your control so going with the flow is your best bet. The second time around I learned from the first & did a few things differently... for example I knew I didn't want to wear that awful gown thing they give you to give birth in, so I declined it & just wore my bra You'll figure out what works for you, but probably in that moment and not ahead of time.

Re: Birthplan?

No. I just told them I wanted an epi from the second I walked in. To anyone who would listen. If a janitor had walked by I would have told him too.
And I pissed off a midwife who worked for the hospital. She was bringing me to my L&D room and I told her I wanted an epi as soon as I was allowed it. And she got real snippy with me. In my defense I thought she was a nurse. I saw her title on her ID later. Oh well.
I got my epi and it was heaven.

Childbirth is not something you can plan like a project at work. I am not sure who when and where these "birth plans" came from.
All our mothers gave birth to us with no "plan" and they did just fine.

Message edited 10/23/2016 10:49:54 PM.

Re: Birthplan?

Posted by NervousNell

No. I just told them I wanted an epi from the second I walked in. To anyone who would listen. If a janitor had walked by I would have told him too.
And I pissed off a midwife who worked for the hospital. She was bringing me to my L&D room and I told her I wanted an epi as soon as I was allowed it. And she got real snippy with me. In my defense I thought she was a nurse. I saw her title on her ID later. Oh well.
I got my epi and it was heaven.

Childbirth is not something you can plan like a project at work. I am not sure who when and where these "birth plans" came from.
All our mothers gave birth to us with no "plan" and they did just fine.

Birthplan?

Like a written out plan? No. No way. Anyone with such a specific set of instructions is setting themselves up for disappointment.

I thought I had it in the bag- scheduled c-section at 39 weeks. Ironclad plan, literally as cut and dry as you can get. I went into labor 5 days early and had to convince the nurses that no, I did not want to "hang out and labor."

Birthplan?

Nope. IMO birth is not something you can plan.

Birthplan?

You can go in the with the best of intentions/plans and it will all get thrown out the window. You have to go with the flow and let your body take the reigns - go read my birth story HAHA

Re: Birthplan?

My hospital had a form to fill out with your preferences... for example if you'd like to use pain medication right away, try to delay it, or not use it at all; would you like the option of using the birthing ball, shower stall, etc. to ease labor pain; who would you like to cut the umbilical cord; would you like to do delayed cord clamping, etc. So I filled that out and my OB went over it with me a few weeks before I was due. On the day of, it all kind of went out the window since I was induced- I needed constant monitoring because of the induction so I couldn't really labor on the birthing ball or in the shower, I was able to delay pain medication like I had wanted, DH couldn't cut the umbilical cord because it was wrapped around her neck and they needed it off right away. All in all, I think it's a good idea to have a birthing plan but also know full and well that the chance of it going 100% to plan is not likely.

Re: Birthplan?

When I delivered at NYU, they gave me a form to fill out with my birth plan. However, DS was breach so I had a c-section and it didn't much matter.

With my second, I didn't have a birthplan because i was scheduled for a repeat c. Well, I went into labor early and DD was head down, so I did a VBAC. It all worked out

Re: Birthplan?

Posted by RainyDay

Posted by NervousNell

No. I just told them I wanted an epi from the second I walked in. To anyone who would listen. If a janitor had walked by I would have told him too.
And I pissed off a midwife who worked for the hospital. She was bringing me to my L&D room and I told her I wanted an epi as soon as I was allowed it. And she got real snippy with me. In my defense I thought she was a nurse. I saw her title on her ID later. Oh well.
I got my epi and it was heaven.

Childbirth is not something you can plan like a project at work. I am not sure who when and where these "birth plans" came from.
All our mothers gave birth to us with no "plan" and they did just fine.

See this is exactly what I figured I would do. Just tell them I want an epidural and take it as it goes. Then I read these lists and they say it's a good idea to have a birthplan in place. I figured I would just wing it as it goes.

Message edited 10/24/2016 9:12:07 AM.

Re: Birthplan?

Posted by NYCGirl80

When I delivered at NYU, they gave me a form to fill out with my birth plan. However, DS was breach so I had a c-section and it didn't much matter.

With my second, I didn't have a birthplan because i was scheduled for a repeat c. Well, I went into labor early and DD was head down, so I did a VBAC. It all worked out

Birthplan?

I would not do a formal plan. Tell your DH what drugs you want etc but other than that you really have to be open as things can change so quickly and in the end its really about what is best for the health of you and baby.

I told my Dr I do not care how my DS comes out as long as we are both healthy!

Birthplan?

My birth plan was to get the baby out safely for both of us. Period. The end.

Birthplan?

I'm a planner by nature but obviously you can't plan your birth, but I still think it's a good idea to jot any thoughts you might have down and discuss with your doctor. Chances are things will change in the moment so you need to be flexible but communicating your best case scenario wishes can't hurt :)

Re: Birthplan?

I didn't have a written out plan but I knew I wanted to try and go without the epidural, have immediate skin to skin, delayed chord clamping, and to try and nurse right away and EBF. I ended up getting induced 2 days past my due date but luckily everything else went according to plan

Message edited 10/24/2016 5:49:07 PM.

Birthplan?

I had one. I have to find it for this time...it was less than 1 page. A lot of things I would want are either standard practice, like skin to skin, BF right away, or just not allowed, like eating. So, I didn't feel like I needed to write everything down. I think it's nice to at least know what to expect in the delivery room, so talking over your expectations with OB can help. And any preferences you would want others to know - you can go through a lot of nurses and might not have your own OB around, it doesn't hurt to have it written out.

Re: Birthplan?

Birthplan?

I think is definitely an important thing if you want to attempt a natural , unmedicated birth or have any special preferences ( delayed cord clamping , immediate skin to skin , no heb B shot , have the baby room in.

Re: Birthplan?

My birth plan for all 3 was drug me up, get him/her out, clean him up and give him back. OB's like simple plans like that. They are always on the same page.

Re: Birthplan?

Posted by FirstMate

My birth plan for all 3 was drug me up, get him/her out, clean him up and give him back. OB's like simple plans like that. They are always on the same page.

Message edited 10/25/2016 10:35:13 PM.

Re: Birthplan?

Posted by FirstMate

My birth plan for all 3 was drug me up, get him/her out, clean him up and give him back. OB's like simple plans like that. They are always on the same page.

Re: Birthplan?

I think they are helpful if you are planning an unmedicated delivery. Or one that In some way deviates from the norm. Obviously a plan is just that, Not written in stone . If your plan is to have the standard hospital interventions I don't think you need to write anything up.

Re: Birthplan?

I had one written up, but I literally got to be hospital and gave birth within 10 minutes of getting there. My DH was not even in the room. The nurses and I had a good laugh later when I mentioned I had brought my birth plan.

Message edited 10/27/2016 9:50:58 PM.

Re: Birthplan?

This is by far the best birth plan i have ever read:

Birth Plan