argh this blinkin birth plan!!

[JoAnn&Aimee]

It is doing my head in! Seriously this is the most stressful part!

Is anyone else struggling to write theirs?

 

[*pud01*]

not even contemplated doing mine yet...
I think about it then I think "how the bloody hell can I say how I want something to go that I've never experianced before???" now if it was a false tan plan or something I've done a million times before i could tell you exactly what I want and how I want things done but having a baby ???? how do you do that!!!
I've started antenatal classes so no doubt ill get "taught" how to do a birth plan but for the time being the only thing I want to have planned for after the birth is a cuppa tea!

sorry im about as much use as a chocolate teapot on the subject, why not try the ask a mum section.

 

[JoAnn&Aimee]

Tan plan! I would need your advice on that, I've never gotten one but recently been considering it! I am Daz White! Might get one after the baby as a treat for going through all this!

I agree it is hard to plan something that I've never experienced before. So far I've wrote what my pain relief preferences are.. ALL OF THEM!

 

[CoreysMummy]

Just make sure that whatever you write, you are willing to change at the drop of a hat. Things like child birth rarely go to plan.

My birthplan - go with the flow, stear clear of epidural, try gas and air, then a shot of morph if still not good, then epidural. Keep moving, walk around, bounce on ball. Give birth squatting. Music playing and OH to cut cord.

What I got - emergency cesarian as soon as I got to the hospital due to breach baby, that no one noticed.

I wouldnt put to much effort into it, Iv hurd the midwives hardly read them anyway.

 

[First Baby White]

I went on the internet and looked at examples and different headings and started from there. To be honest no one has even mentioned it to me and I have had it done for weeks and am due a week tomorrow so think it was pretty pointless anyway!!!

 

[samanthajayne]

i've not actually given this subject much thought the main reason being as nothing ever goes to plan and the midwife has never mentioned it to me. i wouldn't even know about having to do one if it weren't for this site. i don't think i'll bother now as i'm so close to popping but i have thought of a few things that is a must though ...

1 .. to be in and out of hospital as quick as possible. i'd love to do it all at home but i can't and i hate hospitals so i don't want to be in any longer than needed
2 .. all forms of pain relief welcome as i do not want any pain
3 .. to be the first (other than medical people) to hold my baby. sounds daft but the thought of anyone even touching him before me even the father makes me want to be sick. he's mine all mine gimme gimme gimme i don't know why i feel so strong about that but i do.

and as for anything else well what will be will be

 

[ASD123456]

I've been naughty and haven't even done one

 

[mandspice]

I'm with Vix and am not gonna plan much beyond the post birth cuppa! I do want OH to cut the cord though so will mention that to my midwife and the fact that I'm all for whatever pain relief's on offer but other than that I'm happy to let LO dictate the proceedings xx

Everyone has different ideas but I wouldn't stress too much as things don't always go to plan and I imagine you can make your requests at the time, or OH can on your behalf if you're high on gas and air or similar!

 

[NickyB]

I've not got round to thinking much about it yet either. I know I want to give birth in water, but I'm too scared to do it at home, I'd much rather use our midwife led unit, however, I think there's only two pools so it's luck whether I get one or not.

So, it feels slightly pointless writing much else done as the main thing I want depends.

I know I want the cord to be cut after time, and I want skin on skin immediately. Apart from that I can only think I'll take it as it comes.

 

[MissSara]

My midwife is coming round tomorrow to discuss my birth plan, she told me not to bother writing it down as she will take care of it all for me, so thats taken out of my hands.

 

[*pud01*]

I'm with Vix and am not gonna plan much beyond the post birth cuppa! I do want OH to cut the cord though so will mention that to my midwife and the fact that I'm all for whatever pain relief's on offer but other than that I'm happy to let LO dictate the proceedings xx

Everyone has different ideas but I wouldn't stress too much as things don't always go to plan and I imagine you can make your requests at the time, or OH can on your behalf if you're high on gas and air or similar!

get the kettle on and sod the drugs cuppa tea solves everything I wish!!!

 

[Miss.Monroe]

i wrote mine a couple of weeks ago!

Midwife said she was impressed:

I understand that my birth plan is subject to change depending on how well both baby and I are coping during labour.

Sincerely,
Jodie Monroe


LABOUR
· I would like to be free to walk around during labour.
· I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labour.
· I would like to be able to have fluids by mouth throughout the first stage of labour.
· I would like the environment to be kept as quiet as possible.
· I do not want an IV unless I become dehydrated.


MONITORING
· I do not want an internal monitor unless the baby has shown some sign of distress.


LABOR AUGMENTATION/INDUCTION
· If labour is not progressing, I would like to have the amniotic membrane ruptured before other methods are used to augment labour.


ANESTHESIA/PAIN MEDICATION
· I would like to have a walking epidural (low dose)
· I would like to use gas and air during contractions
I do not want pethidine or its equivalent


CAESAREAN
· If a Caesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to be fully informed and to participate in the decision-making process.
· I would like (Dean Evans) present at all times if the baby requires a Caesarean delivery.
· I wish to have an epidural for anaesthesia



EPISIOTOMY
· I would appreciate guidance in when to push and when to stop pushing so the perineum can stretch.
· I would prefer an episiotomy rather than a tear.
· I would like a local anaesthetic to repair a tear or an episiotomy.


DELIVERY
· I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth, including squatting.
· I would like to have the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.


IMMEDIATELY AFTER DELIVERY
· I would like to have (Dean Evans) cut the cord.
· I would prefer that the umbilical cord stop pulsating before it is cut.
· I would like to hold the baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
· I would like to have the baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
· I plan to keep the baby near me following birth and would appreciate if the evaluation of the baby can be done with the baby on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation.
· If the baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, Dean Evans will accompany the baby at all times.
· I would prefer to hold the baby rather than have her placed under heat lamps unless completely necessary.


POSTPARTUM
· Unless required for health reasons, I do not wish to be separated from my baby.
· I would like to have the baby "room in" and be with me at all times.


BREASTFEEDING
· I plan to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth.
· Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to the baby (including glucose water or plain water).
· I do not want the baby to be given a pacifier.
· I would like more information about breastfeeding.
· I would like to meet with a Lactation Consultant.


OTHER
· My support people are Dean Evans and I would like them to be present during labour and delivery.
· I would prefer that no students, interns, residents or non-essential personnel be present during my labour or the birth.

 

[NickyB]

Wow, looks good.

 

[kellysomer]

I wrote one both times and the MW's dont even look at them. I was told if its over about 3 sentences dont even bother as they dont have the time. They will ask you as the birth progresses anyway and beleive me if you want pain relief you will ask for it loud and clear!! I think they are utterly pointless. Just make a mental note of the birth you would like and be prepared for it all to change. My first birth was 100% my birth plan, 2nd was meant to be a calm drug free water birth. I ended up having every test going and practically delivered him onto the aneasthetist who was putting in a spinal for a emergency section in theatre.