Has anyone done a birth plan?

I am 32 wks 2 days and I have a Dr's appt Friday. I am going to bring it with me to go over things.

Just wondering if anyone else is doing one?

Re: Has anyone done a birth plan?

Not a plan per se, but I'm 26 weeks... my doctor gave me the pre-reg forms for the hospital and it in it gave all sorts of info about the hospital and it's services so next to eatch item in the folder I put notes as to what my wishes would be such as epidural, breastfeeding, visitors during labor and recovery, etc. I also wrote on it for the hospital, what medications I'm taking so that they know what my situation is should I go early or unexpectedly.

Re: Has anyone done a birth plan?

Several moms have done them.

It's not a bad idea to have a "plan" but remember to be open minded and that things may not go as planned.

Just make sure to inform your dr., nurses, etc... at the hospital of your wishes.

I felt very strongly about BFing. I informed all nurses right when I was admitted. I asked to BF DS right after birth and told ALL the nurses and in the nursery about not giving DS any kind of formula.

Most personel will be working with you as long as it does not interfere with their work/policies.

Re: Has anyone done a birth plan?

Here is a good one that someone posted once, and I saved:

Interactive Birth Plan

U just have to print it out and fill it in. There's a lot of things on this plan that I never thought about.

Re: Has anyone done a birth plan?

yup. With my first I did so much research, printed one up, made copies for me, DH, the DR. and the hospital staff but all in all the plan goes out the window in the end. However, what it did for me was answer a lot of questions on procedures and getting insight on the possibilities of different birth if my 'natural' with epi of course didn't go as planned. It eased me and worked well for all around. they were clear on my thoughts and how I expected things to go and I was clear on their procedures and how things can turn and just happen at any given time.

It should be helpful.

Re: Has anyone done a birth plan?

I wrote a birth plan and brought it to my midwife appt. She told me to rip it up. She said she has seen so many people write one and as soon as they do, their labor is complicated. My labor was not the way I wrote it on paper, but I agree that it does help you prioritize some things.

I learned you need to be flexible to the possibilities of anything.

Re: Has anyone done a birth plan?

try doing a search on here. i remember when i was a lurker on here that there was a good thread and someone posted her full birth plan.

Re: Has anyone done a birth plan?

I was going to write one but you never know what is going to actually happen, so I have a few choice things that I want which I've already discussed with my doctor and will tell the nurses when I go in, but other then that going to play it by ear and do what is best for me and baby when the time comes

Re: Has anyone done a birth plan?

I found one in a book that is a sample and it pretty much has what I want. So I am going to type it out and get to the midwife. Just so they know what I would like as far as med choices, etc.

Re: Has anyone done a birth plan?

I have thought about it, but I haven't done anything about it yet.

My midwife and I are on the same page and so is my Doula so I don't know that one will be necessary.

Re: Has anyone done a birth plan?

I was just reading this one and even though I went through this just 3 weeks ago, I'm every bit as squeamish about the details as I was before giving birth.

Re: Has anyone done a birth plan?

Honestly i won't be writing one. I have a few things in mind on how i'd like them to go if possible, but no need to write them down. My husband knows what i want and he'll be there. Plus with the shift changes in the hospital, there is no guarantee that anyone will actually see the birth plan.

Message edited 10/7/2009 11:09:14 AM.

Re: Has anyone done a birth plan?

Posted by cpanyc

I don't really have any plans or desires to do anything out of the ordinary. So my plan is really just to get the baby out as quickly as possible

Re: Has anyone done a birth plan?

Here's my advice -- keep things short, simple and respectful.

Research interventions before hand and decide what is most important to you.

Talk to your doc/midwife and get a feel for his/her way of doing things -- if your doctor thinks all first-time moms need episiotomies (they don't by the way) it doesn't matter what you write in your plan -- your gonna end up with one.

Write them up as your preferences for a normal birth, but understand that things do always go as expected.

Understand hospital policies -- if the hospital always gives IVs and you don't want one, talk to your doctor about this before your in the delivery room -- don't wait until your in labor. I promise handing a nurse a list of desires that go against hospital policy is going to get you no where.

I really believe birth preferences work, as long as they're done right. The worst mistake is to print something off the internet that talks about shaving and enemas and hand to your nurse only to have her laugh and tell you they haven't done those things in years to laboring mothers. Understand the way your doctor and hospital do things first. Then come up with your preferences and go over them with your doctor/midwife ahead of time.