what is a birth plan ? Do I really need one ?

Question

😳🙃 Hey ladies , Im a New mom I'm aware of some things but not all . Growing up with 3 younger siblings , I still need some help . If anyone can explain this to me or explain how to get started I will really be thankful ✨😊 thank you

Answer

I know some people who did literally write their birth plan out but technically anything you decide, like once you're admitted to the hospital telling your nurses that you are planning to get an epidural... there you go, that's part of your plan for what you want to happen with your birth. Like someone else said, I also didn't plan a whole lot because I know how much is out of our control during childbirth! And then my hospital already did a lot of things I'd wanted, like being able to do skin to skin after birth. So I just kinda went with it. But some people have very particular requests about positions they'd like to labor in or push in, how to manage their pain, etc etc.

Answer

A birth plan just outlines your wishes for the birth- ie, the pain management routes you wish to take, who you want allowed in the room, what you want to happen after birth (such as delayed cord clamping and instant skin to skin).

I'm not making one. My hospital already does everything I want as their normative routine.

Answer

I think it's a good idea to understand what you'll be going through and what options you have available in your area. Most docs/nurses defer to what's regular for them. If there's something you want to change you may want to ask beforehand. You'll also understand that things will probably change. It made me comfortable to have an idea of what I wanted to happen so I could better understand the alternatives if that course wasn't possible.

Answer

My Dr never talked to me about one. Two days before my induction she asked what I wanted and didn't want. Day of delivery that really goes out the window, you have to make some at the moment decisions.

If you really want to write one though, there are templates online.