Are birth plans in the hospital considered annoying/high maintenance?

Question

I only ask because while searching for a template online, I saw some things saying something along the lines of “having a birth plan might make the hospital staff think you’re high maintenance but…” and while I didn’t think that was true before, now I feel self conscious 😬

Answer

Yeah no, as a nurse & woman who birthed 4 babies, make your birth plan, enforce it. This is YOUR labor & delivery, not theirs. They work for you, you don't work for them & don't even concern yourself with their "annoyance" or thoughts about you! If you're receiving less than stellar care, fire that nurse! Your birth should be how YOU want it & the most beautiful experience in your life! However, do be open minded to the fact babies have minds of their owns & control everything in this situation, your birth plan may not at all go to plan 🖤 congrats girlfriend!

Answer

Where r u based? I’m in the uk and we get given a birth plan template by the hospital and fill it in with a midwife

Answer

My OBGYN office hands out paperwork for you to fill out at around 36 weeks to indicate what type of birthing experience you’d like while in the hospital. I have Kaiser so luckily everything is in house meaning the paperwork I filled out at my OBGYN office was saved in my records so whichever Kaiser hospital I went to or birthing center theyd all have a copy of my birthing plan. The paperwork went into so much detail and explained the different pain management available from medication to natural remedies. They encouraged doulas, and minimalistic interruptions by staff members. Also when you got to the hospital or birthing center you’d have your own room with a huge wall size white board with your exact birthing plan on it. Also you could change plans at any moment and the staff would be super accommodating. 
I used to work in Labor and Delivery and moms who came in with a birthing plan was never seen as “high maintenance” rather viewed as someone who’s put a lot of thought and energy into something that’s important to them. We would always honor the birth plan first but if complications arouse then of course we would need to debate from that.

Answer

I think a lot what many women put on if it is unnecessary. Example, 'I want a NATURAL birth,dont give epidural unless I ask!'well thats standard that they dont just waltz in with it or push you to get it, you ask for it and then they page the anesthesiologist, so having that on a written plan is unnecessary. Or 'dont use forceps' well they dont use them unless theres an emergency, and they will tell you that you need them and why. 'No IV' but most hospitals require it. "I want the room dim' ok so when youre there just ask them can you lower the lights please. I just had in my mind my preferences and asked accordingly, but a lot of things didnt go according to plan anyhow.

Answer

When we had our hospital walkthrough with our first they talked to us about the basics of a birth plan. There was a big spot on the wall for all things baby, mom, birth plan, and other details. They seemed kind of surprised my birth plan was just about pain relief options, I don’t think they would have been mad or judge me at all if I had one more detailed.

Answer

Whatever your plan just don't get your heart set on following it exactly lol somethings aren't always doable. My next plan will literally just be gas and air, in hospital 😂

Answer

It's not high maintenance, but just be aware that your labor and delivery may not go as planned so prepare yourself to deviate from it if necessary (for your or baby's health). We had a very detailed birth plan for our first. He ended up being born about 40min after we arrived at the hospital and before we were even checked in all the way. Didn't even have time for the plan. For our other two I didn't make one, just had general ideas of what I wanted like epidural only if I need it and ask for it, skin to skin right after birth, husband cuts the cord, that kind of thing.

Answer

Definitely not. I made one and I made copies for each nurse and OB I had. It made me feel better that everyone knew what I had imagined for my labor. Of course not everything goes as planned but it was a nice guideline.

Answer

It’s not high maintenance it’s good to voice your wants and needs so they know. I will suggest to keep it short so they can read it easily . So like bullet points  and keep in mind things can go completely different then what you thought .

Answer

I think birth plans can become an issue when patients are not open to that plan having to be altered for safety. Mom might have a plan, but baby has the final day in how they will be brought into the world.

Are birth plans in the hospital considered annoying/high maintenance?

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