Stupid Question?

[pinkyprincess]

Do you have to have a birth plan?

Part of me thinks with it being my first and not knowing what will be happening or what to expect, not to get my hopes to high by trying to stick to a plan.

Can you not go in and take it step by step and see how you feel?

I've booked in for all my birthing classes etc so i'm assuming that they'll go through all the birthing options there and pain relief etc, but can you decide on the day? Or am I being really naieve thinking I can do this without a plan?

 

[x_larlybelle_x]

I've never been able to plan anything. I think I'm just gonna go with the flow and see where it takes me xx

 

[Lilelephant]

I am going with the flow lol!


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[niknaks]

im not sure i was thinking the same thing. but for me i dont get a choice as yet i need to see the cardiologist and anaesthetist before they decide but if alls ok i want a water birth but im thinking what if it hurts too much can i have an epidural? im sure you dont have to stick to your birthing plan or even do one? maybe its just to prepare you? and you bookeed all your classes? i feel really bad now. i havent done that yet. my midwife wasnt very clear when to do it. when did you do it? x

 

[pinkyprincess]

I was told book the classes straight after my 20 week scan as it books up!
It's not untill November but I'm in as they say!

I think if you want a water birth you can't have an epidural while your in the water, you have to come out and do it normally.

 

[niknaks]

my midwife said something like that at first then when i asked her when i saw her next she said she'd let me know. think i better call them today :-s yeah thats what i heard to. im so scared really hope im one of those ladies who have an easy labour. but now ive said that probably jinxed it lol x

 

[english rose]

I'm a first time Mum like you, so I'm not sure how right or wrong this idea is, but I feel that as far as birth plans go, rather than having a fixed idea of what you want to happen............. (your body or baby may have other ideas, and so I think it's always a good idea to be flexible and open to change so that you don't get too stressed if things don't go the way you hoped)..........to be informed about the different things that could happen and the choices you may have to make. That way you can feel more confident in your decision-making. For example, when thinking about whether you would you like an epidural, do you know the potential risks, benefits and impact on the labour process? Would you like to receive the hormone injection to help deliver the placenta, or would you like the process to occur naturally, and what are the pros and cons of each method? Don't panic, I'm not saying we need to know the answers now! (I certainly don't) I'm sure they'll go through these things at your classes....just to say that I think it's good to be informed and to have an idea about what you might pefer in the ideal situation, but to be flexible in your plan. Hope that helps.

 

[JensBump]

First time mum here too
I agree with English Rose with getting as well informed about your options as possible - I will have a plan made out and I even started to discuss it with my midwife yesterday - it does not mean I will not be flexible and if anything goes wrong I will do what the midwives and doctors advise but it means that in the ideal situation everyone is aware of my wishes.
So far I have decided I want a water birth - I am starting hypnobirthing classes at the end of September so planning on minimal pain relief - I want to avoid directed pushing - I want delayed cord clamping and I will not be donating my babys blood.
I love organising things and it seems birth will be no different LOL

 

[Laura_C]

I had originally wanted a water birth with my first but my midwife said it wasn't possible at the hospital I was delivering at. I was a bit gutted tbh but she said I could have a water birth but at home. She really tried to talk me into a home birth but it just wasn't for me, certainly not with my first baby. I just got I informed about all the options for pain relief etc and asked questions at my birthing classes and just went with the flow really. I had a vague plan in my head about what I didn't want etc but tbh a plan would have meant sod all when it cane to my labour! Didn't go at all how I imagined so I just took things a step at a time during labour. I had in my head that I wanted to avoid pain relief if possible but if things got too much I would consider it. By the time I went to the delivery suite my midwife advised me to have an epidural due to lack of sleep and my labour being very slow to progress anyway with full blown contractions - I was barely getting a rest between them but was only 3-4th dilated!! She was surprised by the strength of them. I'd been contracting for 5 days by this point so I welcomed anything to help! Do you know, I was never even asked if I had a birth plan! X

 

[Rachaellius]

I'd really like a water birth too, it just seems a lot more relaxing doesnt it. And if thats not working for you, you can always get out and use the bed. My midwife told me the birthing pools are first come first serve so it just depends when I go into labour whether they are free or not. So I can't have a definate plan anyway :/ xx

 

[pinkyprincess]

The only things I'm really sure about is no water birth! Really does not appeal to me at all! Would love to also donate the baby's cord, infact I want to speak to my midwife about the possibility of courriering (sp?) it to another hospital (as according to the internet my hospital does not let you donate it, although it's been proved as more likely to help someone than bone marrow!) Really feel strongly about this as otherwise it'll just go into the bin, which would be a waste if it could save someone's life! Not too keep on the idea of an epidural as I don't know if i'd feel in control enough?

 

[saraian26]

No, did two birth plans with first child and it totally went to pot. Did one with imogen and it got looked it anmd my wishes were met, didnt get my water birth but never mind, but last time and this time I just popped some notes in back of my antenatal notes. I found i got asked if I wanted the bbay to have vit k, if i wanted to cut the cord etc.

Just gonna go with the flow again as if i have expectations i get upset when they dont happen.

 

[pinkyprincess]

That was my worry

 

[1986princess]

I didn't know about birth plans etc because it's twins I'm likely to have a scheduled c section but u never know. Not sure what to do x

 

[JensBump]

The cord blood should not be wasted it is the babies blood and they have found that if the cord is clamped immediately (which it needs to be for donation) the baby can be receiving as much as 25% - 40% less of its own blood - that is a lot and can result in problems with the baby - that blood is so important yes and it may be able to help someone but it is your babies blood.

See this facebook page for some of the related research http://www.facebook.com/#!/delayedcordclamping

 

[michelles1985]

A birth plan is mant to be a general plan of what you would like to happen (if you were to get your perfect labour). You decide on what you would like to happen during the birth and what you want to happen after the birth as well (such as skin to skin contact, breast/bottle feed for the first feed, delivery of the afterbirth etc). The reason a birth plan is done is so that when you go into labour, the midwives and nurses at the hospital/place of decided birth can run through and read it to see what you want as it saves them asking you all of the questions when all you are trying to concentrate on and get through is the contractions.

So the answer is yes, you are advised to do a birth plan. Of couse they are not always followed to the 't' but at least your carers during labour know what you want. If it is something happens and someone else or some other medication is needed to intervine in order to deliver your baby safely and make sure mummy is ok, then of course, your birth plan will have to bend a little to make sure you and LO get the best possible care.

So happy planning, it's always best to have a rough guide as I'd imagine you'd be a bit fustrated if duringpainful contractions they start asking you about the afterbirth before you've even delivered the baby. lol xxxx

 

[Alfiecat]

My birth plan is " to do whatever it takes for me to feel comfortable at each stage and to do whateve is best for Me and the baby at the time"

Basically No idea! Xx

 

[Menie13]

Well depends of what the hospital can offer you.. ie for my case I want water birth **but** as there is only few water birth, they told me first arrives first serves :'( which means I might miss the water birth if they are already used.. On the day if you plan a natural birth, you can always decide to take an epidural if you are in pain and cannot handle it!! It might happen to me too
Also after giving birth, some hospital offers at a cost some **private** rooms where you can stay couple of days! Same in my hospital they told me first arrives first serves AGAIN :'( but I know in some hospitals you can book the room in advance and they refund you if you change your mind at fee cost.

 

[Lilmoomin]

Menie13, my hospital is the same, even though the facilities are there, you cant book them! So you just gotta hope and pray there not all in use! I would love a water birth!

 

[pinkyprincess]

Can you wait till closer to the time to sort it? Not sure if I want to think about it yet lol