birth plans?!

Question

For those of you who have been through this before (or those who have done more research than I have) - what are your high level birth plans? I know it's a highly personal preference but I don't even know what to begin thinking about besides medicated v. nonmedicated. And I'm the first of my close friends to get pregnant so I'm basically the ginuea pig lol.  What are some of my choices/things to think about? All I know so far is I'll be delivering with my obgyn in a hospital. Are there things to consider/ask my doctor about in my planning? Thanks in advance!!

Answer

Wow, thank y'all so much! I never thought to look online for templates or anything but I've found a few so that will be really helpful! I have a ton of research to do! Prayers to all of you for healthy pregnancies and deliveries!

Answer

•Clothing: You can usually wear whatever you are most comfortable in. Bring your own robe, pillow, & blankets if you want. If not, they are provided for you! Bring clothes for going home, for you & the baby. Of course, have a diaper bag & bag for the both of you with things you'll need for the next few days you're there
•Sleeping: Nurseries are offered sometimes, but don't feel pressured into it! Babies aren't allowed to sleep in your bed with you, but nurses will help you while they stay in your room, just like they would in a nursery! :)

I think that about sums it up. I've given birth 3 times, pregnant with my 4th. So this is all based on my experiences. Any questions, I wouldn't mind answering them. :)

Answer

When you get there for labor (or around labor) they usually ask or have you fill out papers about what you want to do.

Some things they ask about:
•Will you be breastfeeding or bottle-feeding? (might ask about pacifier)
•Skin-to-skin- this is holding your newborn baby as soon as you give birth, usually for the first hour of their life
•Pain Medication choices (all natural, epidural, some medications, or water birth if your hospital offers that). I suggest epidural if you cannot handle pain, but you can always decide after contractions start. A lot of women do strive for all natural though... 
-->If choosing an epidural, you cannot walk around during labor. You must be on your back/sides (with help of nurses). If you want to walk around, epidural is not the choice. 
--> (excluding epidural) sometimes you can take a shower to help relieve the pain, or your partner can massage places on your back, you can also do squats or Lamaze breathing
•Pushing: they will give you your pushing options that your specific hospital offers when it comes down to it. Sometimes it's tug of war! :) but that's not common. 
•Who you want in the room- usually around 4 people for vaginal deliveries & 2 for csections (ask about your specific hospital)
•If you want to see the baby's head as it's crowning- with a mirror. No judgement from anyone, just a preference.

Answer

My first I had a far too specific birth plan and as is common, a lot of it when out the window. My next baby I made it much more simple, this time, I'll do something simple again. Keeping in mind, things don't always go according to plan! 
My key points are:
- don't offer me pain meds, I'll ask if I want them
- want to move around during labor as much as possible and use tub for pain management 
- want baby immediately placed on my chest for skin to skin 
- do not want baby weighed/measured or bathed for several hours after birth so I can have bonding/nursing time (unless I decide I'm ok to do sooner)
- delayed cord clamping 
- baby is accompanied by my husband or myself at all times/doesn't go to nursery or for any procedures/testing without one of us present

These have been points in my past birth plans and have all been respected, so I feel good about them being respected with my upcoming labor too!

Answer

Search Pinterest for birth plan examples to get an idea of what sort of things to include. I found a great example from a blog called "The Humbled Homemaker" and it gave me an awesome starting point for what I have been thinking about for my first birth experience.

I know things most likely won't go as planned, but it's good to at least have an outline of what you'd prefer and how you'd like to handle unforeseen issues.

Answer

Honestly, my birth plan didn't even leave my hospital bag... I wanted natural and labor tub.  My hospital is already natural so I didn't need to specify delayed chord clamping, delayed bath or any of that because it is standard.  I ended up having a fully medicated birth thanks to high blood pressure and being past my due date.  Think of what you want let your hubby and doula know and just go with the flow.

Answer

My birth plan was to try to go natural (I was induced so that didn't happen. Way too much pain) but in the end, whatever got my son our safely.
My son in my arms, healthy was my ultimate plan. 
And I can happily report, it worked out just fine :)

Labor is a crazy, unpredictable animal. The less dependent on an idea you are, the better off you'll be.

Answer

My big thing is wanting to go unmedicated, so I can still move around, get in the shower/tub, walk, and dance my way through labor. I also don't want to be on a constant fetal monitor unless there is a complication. I intend to either deliver in a squatting position, or on all fours, whichever is more comfortable. I'm reading several books that are giving me more ideas of things I want versus not, and I've got a fairly detailed birth plan. However, I will do whatever is medically necessary and throw my birth plan out the window if needed for the safety of my child. I'd recommend reading up on it. My mom and sister and in-laws are all about the drugs, so they have no advice for me on a natural birth, and I'm learning through books.

Answer

I focused less on the birth and more on a plan of care for my child after birth(which should still be part of your birth plan.) knowing quite a few women with children I knew most of the time your birth won't go as "planned." Know what interventions you want or don't want in case of emergency and ask/research about what standard procedures are in your hospital with regards to your baby. Do you want to delay cord clamping, do you want your baby washed right away, know what vaccines/medications are given. That's what mattered to me the most. I knew I would be ok no matter what happened. But  I needed all the answers about what would happen with baby.

birth plans?!

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