[Open] Making a Birth Plan

[seamonster]

I would make a birth plan but still be flexible. If your baby is in distress or if you are in distress, the birth plan may go out the window and that's okay. What's important is that you survive and come out of the experience with a healthy little baby Don't feel bad if your birth doesn't end up as perfectly as you hope.

FWIW we refused the HepB vaccine with my son at birth but didn't have to sign a waiver. We just told the nurses not to and they didn't.

 

[BananaCake]

I would talk with your doctor first--and ask him/her about how birth plans are treated/received at your hospital. My Ob said that birth plans are mostly received with some hostility at the hospital, and encouraged me not to write one...I just told them what I wanted and what I did not want.

Some hospitals are really birth plan friendly- to ensure that a woman gets care individualized to her.

So Rose, I took your advice today and asked my doctor what the hospital thought of birthing plans - except I didn't see my regular doc today. I met with one of the other doctors in the practice who might assist in the delivery if she's the one on call.

I didn't really like the answer, though. She said they don't like birthing plans because they are superstitious. And then she launched into this story about how she just delivered a baby and the mom had a birthing plan, and everything went wrong and she ended up with a C-section.

Now I totally understood her 2nd point, that they'd rather have me just communicate with them directly. I didn't agree with her reasoning, which was that when you put it in writing, then everything goes wrong. I'm wondering if she's Buddhist because her name is either Taiwanese or Chinese from what I can tell. One of my best friends is Taiwanese, so I've heard about some of their rituals and superstitions (though my friend is a believer now). I hope that doesn't sound weird; hopefully you know what I mean.

I told the doc, in a nice way I promise, that we will have a birthing plan, if not simply for our own reference. I think my husband & I both will be more comfortable with it so we have something to refer to. My question was more should we share it with the hospital or not. She said I should review it in my next appointment with my regular doctor so there are no surprises, which I totally have no problem with.

I guess the experience was a little discouraging. I'm going to have to find out if my regular doc is as superstitious as this one was, and if she's not, I'll be praying for her to be on call that day! I got a strange sense from this doctor anyways.

 

[Leanna]

When I went into labor, there was one midwife I didn't really want, and that was the one I got, lol..... but it turned out okay, I liked her a lot better after the birth

 

[Kazamataz]

I had a birth plan but most of it went out the window because Ash was 12 days overdue and i had to be induced.

I'm not sure where i found the original plan.

I found it really helped to write a birth plan as it calmed my nerves even if we didn't stick to it. I will be doing it again for the next child.

 

[BananaCake]

Well I brought it in at 36 week appointment.... but I won't make one next time.

Why won't you make one next time?

 

[Leanna]

I will be using the same midwives and have a pretty good idea how things go now and I can just make my wishes known then

 

[ChildByGrace]

I haven't actually spoken to my midwife about my birth plan yet but i think when i go see her on Tues we will be going through it then.

With regards to pain relief i already know that i am going with TENS machine for the latent stage and gas and air for the rest - along with, if available, a birthing pool. I will agree to Pethidine but only during the first stage of the labour and only if they think that i am going to be labouring for 4 hours or more after the pethidine has been given.

The after birth stuff i haven't fully decided on yet but will talk to the midwife about it. With regards to feeding, as long as i go to the hospital of my choice then they don't have a nursary so i will have the baby with me all the time so i'll be able to make sure they dont try and top up with forumla