At What Point Did You Start Your Birth Plan?

[iWitch]

So I'm 20+2 and I've been reading through one of the many books I've been gifted and I'm wondering when is best to start planning.

So far I've kind of said anything goes but after reading about it, I'm beginning to think a water birth might be for me. When do I start discussing this with MW? Who makes all the arrangements? I'm still gonna keep anything goes but primarily I want to try naturally using a birthing pool.

Please help, I'm clueless!

 

[babyem]

I didnt do a birth plan, as labour never goes to plan lol. As it turns out, I was right and any ideas about the birth I would of like to have had went out the window!

I was keen to have a water birth or spend time in the pool but wasnt allowed due to being induced. I didnt want any cannulas, epidural and especially a c-section- all three of those happened and more. I think had I of had a birth plan in place, I wouldve been so dissapointed that it didnt go that way. I just went into it with the mindset that whatever happens happens and to just go with the flow.

Sorry if this wasnt very helpful lol xx

 

[Ella1979]

iWitch - perhaps you could just start there, with wanting to try naturally using a birthing pool? As babyem says labour doesn't always go to plan. I didn't have a birth plan last time, but I'm having a short plan this time round because I'm having another c-section and there are things that happened last time that needn't happen again this time. I'd start by talking to your midwife at your next appointment (28 weeks?). I think having an idea of the type of birth you want is wonderful, but also try to keep open-minded in case things further down the line mean you can't have a water birth x

 

[Muguboo]

I'd second the above comments - do a birth plan by all means to make it clear what you would like but don't get hung up on it and certainly don't beat yourself up if it doesn't go to plan.

Is it your first? Think you have an appt at 24/25 weeks and then 28. Tbh I think the 'birth plan' appt with your midwife is the one about 35 weeks or so - really quite late on. But unless your mw is horrid I don't see her refusing to discuss it at any point so just bring it up at your next appt.

Also you can write your plan and leave it in your green notes anyway - you don't really need your mw unless you need to ask her specific questions perhaps about likely outcomes or drugs or something. And we can probably answer most of them

 

[babyem]

I think they wait til so late on as by that point they have a better idea of whether or not you will need extra care or any potential problems. That said we all know things happen and can change soon to labour though, so I dont think theres any harm in giving it some thought. Hope that made sense? Lol x

 

[iWitch]

Perfect ladies thank you. Yes it's my first. It won't be a full on plan but basics and I will state I'm happy to go along with anything if necessary.

Am I allowed to request to look around the maternity/labour ward? xx

 

[Muguboo]

That varies by hospital. York hospital do not allow walk rounds - though dp they do have an online 360. Your mw will be able to confirm how it works for yours

 

[babyem]

Definitely ask MW, in our trust you have to book in for a tour of the delivery suite before a certain number of weeks x

 

[bbee]

i did mine at about 30 weeks x

 

[loopylou83]

I had my 35 week appointment today and mw went through it with me! I decided to keep it quite simple and that was fine! I think in the end she noted down that I would possibly like a water birth, that I was open minded, that I would like the injection to deliver placenta, that I was happy for baby to have a vitamin k injection and that I wanted gas and air! She explained that if I gave birth in pool then they will wait till I come out to give injection for placenta and to check if I need any stitches etc! I could have made it a lot more detailed but didn't see the point! I plan to go with the flow and follow advice of midwives x

 

[Rachel80]

Honestly a birth plan isn't necessary! By all means have an idea of what you want i.e a water birth/all the drugs but in reality what you what may not be possible so you need to go with the flow & be prepared to do what's right for your baby. My waters went, I was induced 16 hours later....I was going to try & do it on g&a but even being induced hurt too much so I had an epidural at the earliest moment! I gave birth covered up on a bed, perfect! Don't get hung up writing birth plans, it's really not necessary!!x

 

[mummywanabe]

I wrote my birthplan around 25 weeks planned a waterbirth all went out the window of course I barely had time to get my trousers off and he was coming lol

 

[iWitch]

I wrote my birthplan around 25 weeks planned a waterbirth all went out the window of course I barely had time to get my trousers off and he was coming lol

If this happens to me then I'd be chuffed!

 

[Ella1979]

Honestly a birth plan isn't necessary! By all means have an idea of what you want i.e a water birth/all the drugs but in reality what you what may not be possible so you need to go with the flow & be prepared to do what's right for your baby. My waters went, I was induced 16 hours later....I was going to try & do it on g&a but even being induced hurt too much so I had an epidural at the earliest moment! I gave birth covered up on a bed, perfect! Don't get hung up writing birth plans, it's really not necessary!!x

I think it is necessary to cover emergency situations where you might not be conscious to make decisions "on the spot" - as I found to my cost during my last pregnancy.

 

[timtam78]

After researching natural birthing I do find it surprising that so many births these days are intervened. Obviously i know there are cases which need intervention and im trying to keep an open mind but there surely should be miles more natural births compared to intervened ones and it doesn't seem so. It seems to me that you've got to be quite strong and outspoken if you want to try stick to a natural birth plan.

My midwife led birth centre has about 11 pools so I'm hoping that means I'm not fighting for one when the time comes. Do you know about the facilities of your choice of birth place?

 

[iWitch]

Yes and they're not cracking! Basically the local hospital is having a refurb for the labour ward which was expected to be done in the new year...this would have meant every room would have had everything you could want tht the NHS provides (I.e birthing pool) but the midwife said it's nowhere near completed and they only have 1 temp birthing pool ( like the one you hire for home births) and even then they've had problems with it.

I'm just gonna jot my ideas down and make sure I make note of anything I really don't want or do want (like hubby cutting cord...basic stuff) but basically keep an open mind xx

 

[timtam78]

You can hire a pool can't you if you want to be guaranteed one?

 

[iWitch]

You can hire a pool can't you if you want to be guaranteed one?

I'm not sure. The rooms are pretty small. They do have 2 large rooms but they tend to use these for high risk pregnancies / premature births.

I'm assuming there's a cost? xx

 

[timtam78]

Yeh you would have to pay but no idea how much. Hope you get the birth you hope for xxx

 

[Melanie3103]

After researching natural birthing I do find it surprising that so many births these days are intervened. Obviously i know there are cases which need intervention and im trying to keep an open mind but there surely should be miles more natural births compared to intervened ones and it doesn't seem so. It seems to me that you've got to be quite strong and outspoken if you want to try stick to a natural birth plan.

My midwife led birth centre has about 11 pools so I'm hoping that means I'm not fighting for one when the time comes. Do you know about the facilities of your choice of birth place?

Timtam - is this your first ? Birth centre (ie not a hospital right ?) - I love the idea of that, but I thought as this is my first I might not be allowed. Well not recommended anyway.

I am interested in hypnobirthing ideally in a birthing pool if possible - hopefully as natural as possible - but I've an open mind in terms of what happens - need to go with the flow - might end up needing every drug offered LOL!