Birth plan ?

Question

When are you or when did you discuss your birth plan with your obs? I feel like my ob is super dismissive and am not sure if we should already be talking about my birth plan or when I should bring it up. 
Even if I do bring it up I don’t feel like he cares or will listen at all. I’m almost 32 weeks or I would switch obs and plus I already switched once during this pregnancy. I thought he would be different then my old ob he came recommended but he is so nonchalant and when I start talking about something that concerns me he just changes the subject. I so wish my husband could be at the appointments and help advocate. 
Anyways have you all discussed birth plans yet?? Thanks ladies. 🙂

Answer

I haven’t really thought about it. I mean my plan is to get an epidural and get the kid out but that’s about it. I’m not sure what else can be planned 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t mean that to sound rude at all but more just like

Answer

I asked my OB about it at my last appointment and she basically said unless I have intentions on doing anything out of the ordinary, I really don’t need one. Everything can be discussed and determined the day of. You can plan the birth all you want but so much can change once the day actually comes.

Answer

Your regular OB may not even be on call when you give birth. So having a short discussion to cover anything you missed or questions you may have could be helpful, but a completely different doctor may be delivering your baby so it’s more important to have it at the hospital during labor.

Answer

I discussed with my midwife on the first visit. I asked questions about what would and wouldn't happen with certain things and she was open to discussion.  But she asked for me to submit it on paper at 35 weeks.
I switched from my OB to the midwives at his practice because he was dismissive and a little to into himself. (He's a great OB and I will still use him after, but I don't want him delivering my baby because it's his way or the highway.)

Answer

I talked to my doctor about it the first pregnancy. She said that labor and delivery are unpredictable and are hard to plan. She asked me what specific things I was wanting in my “plan” and we talked about it. Possibly no epidural, natural pain management and minimal medical interventions if possible, hep-lock on the iv if they required me to have an iv port put in, vaginal birth as long as it takes unless the baby is in distress, delayed cord clamping, and immediate skin to skin. I was relieved to find that those hopes were pretty close to how she runs the show anyway. She said she would do all that she could to help me with those goals. 
She was really so right about not being able to plan... I ended up going in at 38 weeks to get tested for cholestasis and I was induced on the spot. I had to be hooked up to an iv because I had to have fluids and pitocin pumped into me. I was able to walk around, use a birthing ball and whatever else I wanted to relieve pain, including getting in and out of the shower... which was a life saver! The baby had to be monitored constantly because the cholestasis put her at risk to go into distress, so I had a monitor strapped to me at all times, but they did let me use a wireless one for the times that I wanted to walk around to walk off the contractions. I wasn’t able to do delayed cord clamping because she had passed meconium in the womb and had to immediately be auctioned, which prevented my skin to skin right after. They did wait to do all of the measurements and weight so that I could have time with my baby after she was born. She did have the nurses try pretty much all the tricks to get me to progress during labor because I was stalled at 4 cm for a long time. I was in labor for 39 hours. I got the epidural at 30 hours because I was completely exhausted and wanted to sleep. Once I got the epidural, the nurses pulled out all the stops to get me to progress and by the time I woke up the next morning, I was 10cm and ready to push.

Answer

Ladies don’t be afraid to be your own advocate! Speak up for yourself and your baby (who can’t speak up for themselves) let mama bear out if you have to. If you have ANY concerns or questions at all your OB should be willing to address them for you. My prayers go out to you ladies and your babies. I say bring it up and if they don’t answer, ask again or you could call nurse and have them put it in a note on your chart that you wanted to discuss your birth plan next visit because you feel a little co concerned that it hasn’t been brought up yet.

Answer

I mentioned it to my OB, & she said to just either print one or write one & show her it during our next appointment.

Answer

That really sucks that your doctor is dismissive.  I actually just switched practices at 31 weeks, and it was mostly because I felt like the doctors at the previous practice really didn’t care....like it was a baby factory & I was just one of many.  I switched to a nearby practice with a midwife, and I instantly felt better cared for....like she was actually in tune with what I want.  We also just hired a doula because I was getting nervous about delivering during covid & not being able to advocate for myself or know my rights.
As far as a birth plan, I think people get thrown off by the word “plan.”  Obviously you can’t control what will happen at your birth & things probably won’t go exactly as you planned.  But you should be able to have birth preferences that your doctor should absolutely listen to.  My “plan” is like a tree with different branches...if x happens, we go to the left branch, but if not go right.  So ideally I’m not planning on having any interventions like pitocin or c-section, but if there is a legitimate medical reason, I obviously will do what’s best for our baby.  
I know it’s hard, but you may have to be assertive & advocate for your baby.  It helps me to think of it as being for my baby since I’m not usually assertive for myself.  You can do it though!  Good luck💜

Answer

I’m 30wks tomorrow and at my last appointment my midwife said its on our agenda to discuss soon - I’ve got notes on my phone of what I’d like etc so I’m ready for the appt to discuss it

Answer

No and it has me nervous too. I’m almost 33 weeks

Birth plan ?

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey