What are the benefits of creating a birth plan and how can it help me during labor?

Question

Hey mamas! I'm curious about birth plans and how they can make a difference during labor. Have any of you created a birth plan and found it helpful? Share your experiences and let's discuss the benefits of having a birth plan in place!

Answer

I made a very loose birth plan with my first. Mostly just went with the flow. I plan to do the same with this baby too. I will say, going through a birth preference form is really helpful to understand to options you may have. It was great because I could educate myself more based on what was on the form before going into labor.

Answer

Pretty much every OB I had with my son made me feel like a birth plan was useless, but I had one anyways. It ended up being useless because I kinda gave in to everything they suggested because I was scared. This time around, I am going to a different office & will be delivering at a different hospital. With a good OB & team, birth plans are great. Just keep in mind things don’t always go exactly to plan & it’s okay to make changes even while you’re in labor.

Answer

One benefit is everyone is on the same page. 
That said I gave birth twice, headed into my 3rd and I've never done a birth plan. I just go with the flow. Thankfully my team is very open to just going with it and listening to me in the moment. I was induced with my first. Hypertension. Everything was communicated to me ahead of time, as it was happening, where I was at with everything, if I needed/wanted anything. Overall it was a pretty low stress experience. I wanted to avoid the epidural so once we stopped pitocin and broke my water, contractions really started hitting in never ending waves. I was able to try all kinds of things. Moving around, counter pressure, peanut ball, even the jacuzzi tub (which made it all so much worse for me) and I ended up opting for the epidural 4 hours in (5cm) hour and a half later she was born. Spontaneous labor with my second. Got to the hospo at about 2:30 am at 4-5 cm with a bulging bag of waters. Admitted and got a room at 3:28. Chilling and chatting with the nurse. 45 mins later I needed to push and 3 pushes later here he was. 
After birth the standard routine where I deliver at is always the same (given it's a smooth delivery.) As soon as baby is out, they immediately start an hour of uninterrupted skin to skin with mom. Anything they need to do in that time is done while baby is on you. After that they do 30 mins uninterrupted skin to skin with dad. After that baby never leaves your sight. Fancy ankle monitor that tells them if they baby even leaves your room. Mom is allowed to shower if she's ready( at the start they do abdominal massages every so often. I can't remember. It's less often once you get to maternity ward.) About 2 hrs after birth they bring in a wheelchair and help you move everything over the maternity ward. Get you nice and set in your room. People are in and out checking your vitals, abdominal massages, and checking baby. Other than that they pretty much leave you alone unless you call for them. With our first they just brought us food, with our second (COVID times) we had a direct line to the kitchen so we could order whenever we wanted from this giant menu. It was really nice.

What are the benefits of creating a birth plan and how can it help me during labor?

Let’s Glow

Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy

25+ million

4.8 stars

20+

Getting Pregnant

Pregnancy

1st Year (Baby & You)

Baby Products