Birthing plan and positions for birth.

[violet13]

I've been thinking loads about delivery, I know I'm not having an epidural I don't think they're very good and after some horror stories I so don't want it. I want a water birth of possible if not in water squatting, I've seen so many documentaries, shows and home births where the women are on their backs struggling to deliver and I don't think it's a good way for me to give birth. But my midwife was a bit rude last time I spoke to her, she said we need you to stay where we want you...on the bed. I don't know how anyone else feels about it but hell no to staying on the bed I want to walk and sit and do this how I want. I don't know what to do as I don't really think the midwives haven't been very nice. I'm a first time mum for crying out loud I don't need that when Ive got questions and things I want to do during labour... Anyone else thinking on it labour and birth? What do you guys want? Xxx

 

[Tmum]

This is my 2nd baby and I have been thinking about this over the last few days.
With my 1st I wanted a water birth and remifentanil if gas and air wasn't enough. I didn't want pethidine and I was VERY against an epidural.
Birth plan was written down and every detail was on that page just the way I had it planned out in my head....
Baby obviously had a different plan as he was static growth from 28 weeks and I was induced at 39 due to his size.
That was the water birth scrapped and the remifentanil. I was hooked up to monitors and only allowed to the loo once the pessary was inserted as they were monitoring baby's heart rate. So no walking about or ball that I had also looked forward to. Breaking my waters was the worst pain of my whole labour and the consultant had asked why I was so against an epidural. I explained that my mum had one when she had me and it hadn't gone to plan. After a chat with her and the midwife I did agree to 1, I don't know what came over me as I was really really against it before. I had the epidural a while later and I kid you not it was the best thing. I had a long labour and in the end I was told that I had 1 more push and if my son's head didn't appear it was a section.
I think we all have preferences and labour plans but I think be prepared for it not to go to plan and think of all the options you have. Hopefully the midwives you get on the day will be a lot nicer than those you seem to have had experience with. They should be advising you with the experience they have and taking all your wants into consideration and guiding you as this is your labour. Fx for you xx

 

[becky85]

My ‘plan’ as much as you can plan for these things sounds similar to yours violet. Ideally a water birth, or at least use of the pool for some of the labour and gas and air (although I’m no hero and fully aware I have no idea what to expect pain wise).

Everything that I’ve read and from speaking to people indicates that active birthing where possible is much better than lying on a bed and that you should be able to be in whatever position is most comfortable. The midwives you’ve spoken to don’t seem very helpful. This is part of the reason I want to go to a midwife led unit rather than a labour ward because I think they will be much more receptive to your preferences rather than trying to strap you up to everything going (I’m not saying that is a bad thing if it’s needed but I don’t want it to be the only option).

I guess just try and keep your options open and try and speak to the delivery unit where you will be going to see if you can visit and/or get a bit more information about their approach to birth and if it fits with your preferred plan. At the end of the day what will be will be but it would be nice to be able to do it your way if baby is behaving on the day

x

 

[Weeza]

I have always wanted a water birth, I am always more comfortable in the water on periods and if in any pain.

I am gutted though as my BMI is 1 over the limit for a water birth and although I am on slimming world to lose a bit they take your BMI at booking appointment.

So at the moment I have absolutely no idea but I think I will be told how I have to do it because of my weight.

Long way off for me at the moment though!

 

[H16]

I don't bother with concrete plans as you never know how your labour will go or how you will handle it. I do however know I am going to try and avoid laying down too much this time and try and find better positions where gravity helps as there is no way I want another 23 hour labour on my back! X

 

[Bunny432]

I love talking all things labour and seeing everyone else's ideas and story's about it. Being a first time mum I'm quite open to many ideas, ideally wanted a water birth but I know that it's hard to make a birthing plan because baby's come when they want. I also didn't want an epidural but obviously like some of you ladies have said I really don't know what to expect pain wise so I think I'll go with the flow when little miss decides it's time to come.

I start my Hypnobirthing early august which is meant to help. One of my best friends had a very loud (screaming in pain) stressful labour first time, this time she did Hypnobirthing and only had a paracetamol and he was out very quIck. I know this isn't the case always but I'm very keen to try anything to relax me during labour xx

 

[mylullaby]

But my midwife was a bit rude last time I spoke to her, she said we need you to stay where we want you...on the bed. I don't know how anyone else feels about it but hell no to staying on the bed I want to walk and sit and do this how I want. I don't know what to do as I don't really think the midwives haven't been very nice. I'm a first time mum for crying out loud I don't need that when Ive got questions and things I want to do during labour... Anyone else thinking on it labour and birth? What do you guys want? Xxx

She sounds really rude and I tend to ignore rude people. Not like she will be in there strapping you down to the bed on the day, is it? Do your research, have a think about what you want and how you'll adapt if things don't go to plan and just do your own thing. For every midwife like yours telling you to stay on the bed, there will be another telling you to move around as much as possible.

 

[violet13]

I'm also a bit scared too, a lot of women I spoke to got cut when they where fine and it wasn't discussed with them same for
Some c sections, if baby is distressed that's different but not against what I want or because a midwife wants me to hurry up before she goes home. So I'm also considering a home
Birth even tho it's my first. Why does your
Bmi matter? Mines 33 I think so why does that stop you having a water birth? Xxx

 

[KHTW]

Is there something wrong with me? I don't think of the labor AT ALL... I guess you can put me into the 'whatever happens, happens' category? Maybe I should start considering my options... Fell a bit ignorrant after reading your posts x

 

[H16]

I'm also a bit scared too, a lot of women I spoke to got cut when they where fine and it wasn't discussed with them same for
Some c sections, if baby is distressed that's different but not against what I want or because a midwife wants me to hurry up before she goes home. So I'm also considering a home
Birth even tho it's my first. Why does your
Bmi matter? Mines 33 I think so why does that stop you having a water birth? Xxx

If you are overweight then your pregnancy is automatically considered higher risk and they won't let you have a water birth as they won't be able to intervene quickly if anything goes wrong.

However at my hospital you can choose a water birth and if you have any major problems they would just get you out of the pool and wheel you upstairs to the main maternity ward for more help.

It depends on your hospital really x

 

[mylullaby]

Is there something wrong with me? I don't think of the labor AT ALL... I guess you can put me into the 'whatever happens, happens' category? Maybe I should start considering my options... Fell a bit ignorrant after reading your posts x

I think it's different for everyone. I haven't thought about it either, but I know it'll happen later down the line. We're all wired differently aren't we - some ladies will go over every detail of pregnancy / birth in detail in their minds, others will be thinking they still have ages left and it won't be on the radar yet.

 

[H16]

Is there something wrong with me? I don't think of the labor AT ALL... I guess you can put me into the 'whatever happens, happens' category? Maybe I should start considering my options... Fell a bit ignorrant after reading your posts x

Nothing wrong with you hun, I never thought about it at all with my first I just went with the flow, the only reason I am looking at positions this time is because I had such a long tiring labour with her and want to find something that helps a little. Otherwise I am very much like you too x

 

[H16]

I love talking all things labour and seeing everyone else's ideas and story's about it. Being a first time mum I'm quite open to many ideas, ideally wanted a water birth but I know that it's hard to make a birthing plan because baby's come when they want. I also didn't want an epidural but obviously like some of you ladies have said I really don't know what to expect pain wise so I think I'll go with the flow when little miss decides it's time to come.

I start my Hypnobirthing early august which is meant to help. One of my best friends had a very loud (screaming in pain) stressful labour first time, this time she did Hypnobirthing and only had a paracetamol and he was out very quIck. I know this isn't the case always but I'm very keen to try anything to relax me during labour xx

I really wanted to try hypnobirthing too after my first birth was so bloody painful but I couldn't afford the course Let me know how it goes I would be very interested in hearing about it x

 

[Tmum]

Is there something wrong with me? I don't think of the labor AT ALL... I guess you can put me into the 'whatever happens, happens' category? Maybe I should start considering my options... Fell a bit ignorrant after reading your posts x

Not at all. At almost 28 weeks we're starting to think of the baby's room and things we need and that's the only reason I started thinking about it. I'll prob only think of it for a day or 2 then move on to something else, packing bag, buying more bits and pieces lol!! xx

 

[Shelly1812]

Is there something wrong with me? I don't think of the labor AT ALL... I guess you can put me into the 'whatever happens, happens' category? Maybe I should start considering my options... Fell a bit ignorrant after reading your posts x

Karolina, i think im even stranger than you, im looking forward to labour hubby thinks im nuts!

Ive not given the actual labour bit much thought though lol x

 

[H16]

Is there something wrong with me? I don't think of the labor AT ALL... I guess you can put me into the 'whatever happens, happens' category? Maybe I should start considering my options... Fell a bit ignorrant after reading your posts x

Karolina, i think im even stranger than you, im looking forward to labour hubby thinks im nuts!

Ive not given the actual labour bit much thought though lol x

I always look forward to my labours too lol x

 

[violet13]

Haha your not bad for Not thinking about birth yet, I just began thinking about it, I've been put down as low risk so if my bmi is a tad high that doesn't make sense to me but meh I'll go home birth if I need to I'm all bump not much else on me so here's hoping I can have the birth I want xxx

 

[H16]

Haha your not bad for Not thinking about birth yet, I just began thinking about it, I've been put down as low risk so if my bmi is a tad high that doesn't make sense to me but meh I'll go home birth if I need to I'm all bump not much else on me so here's hoping I can have the birth I want xxx

If you have been put down as low risk you should be allowed any birth you what. Depends on the hospital. With my first I was told I couldn't use pool as I have asthma but this pregnancy I was told I can use the pool. The only thing that has changed is I live further south now. Go figure. Lol x

 

[becky85]

Ha ha I’m quite looking forward to the birth as well in a weird way. I hadn’t thought about it too much until recently when I started considering midwife led units rather than consultant led labour ward for some of the reasons ladies have mentioned here (unnecessary interventions, spending too long laying down, access to birthing pool). I was also keen to do hypnobirthing and couldn’t afford a course but have bought a CD off amazon which is quite good – it’s basically just a relaxation DVD and if nothing else it chills you out – you’re meant to listen to it about 20 times before the birth for it to be most use – I haven’t listed to it for about 6 weeks so I do need to start again. I don’t know if it will make any difference but I’ll give anything a shot.

 

[violet13]

I genuinely love the idea that yes okay it'll hurt but I'll get to hold and see my boy I've got 16 week to go and it's flown by!!! I'm huge will attempt to post a bump pic hehe I'm glad I've got all of you to talk to about it as well not many of my friends seem to A care or B give me distainful looks when I talk about baby things. I hope I get the pool it's my ideal.... Second time mums quick question what do you do when you go into labour? As in who do I talk to on arrival etc xxx