I agree with what Em said.

Also bare in mind you need to be flexible! Flexible in the way that NOTHING you want may happen due to needing to keep you and the baby safe - that’s the number one priority. You do have a right to refuse certain birthing assistance or methods or positions, but when it comes down to it, the doctors and midwives generally will do what they need to do to keep you guys alive and safe.

So remember a water birth may not be possible due to no availabilities.

Or your baby gets shoulder dystocia and you need a choice of vacuum or forceps to help the baby out - you can get that choice!

My plan went right out the window because I was induced. I was doing really well for 2 hours when my contractions started becoming 60 seconds long and 10 seconds apart - I had NO break to breathe. I was at a 8/10 on the pain scale. I originally wanted an all natural birth, and my partner and sister and midwife were amazing in trying to convince me to stick to my plan like I’d asked... I tried the bath first and it did help.. but in the end I chose epidural because of those breaks that I never had between contractions. If I had progressed further along than I had, I would’ve kept going, but I was only at a 4 and even with the epidural I had another 6 hours of labour to endure by that point.

Now when it came to the birth, I HATED the forceps... so when it came to it, I needed an episiotomy, and vacuum for assistance... but I was a tough nut and pushed him out without help... all because I rather avoid things like that. If I had no choice, they knew which method I preferred. And they kept to my delayed cord clamping, though not as long as I’d hoped (I was euphoric by this point so didn’t notice)

Birth plans are very important but remember to be flexible. This is just an example. I will do the exact same thing next time :)

Birth plans

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