Birth plan advice!

Scuba · Apr 29th, 2008, 03:45 AM

Hi all

I hope everyone is ok and pregnancies all going as smoothly as possible for you all!

My question today is about birth plans, I've heard some people say its pointless to write one because of not knowing how labour is going to be until you're experiencing it, but on the other hand some people have said that its a must have, and as this is my first pregnancy I haven't got a clue about how to write it or what to put in it!

Any experiences or ideas would be really helpful!

Thanks in advance!

Laura x

Little Monkey · Apr 29th, 2008, 03:57 AM

I wrote birth plans for my first two pregnancies which were normal deliveries without any complications and not once did the midwifes follow them or listen to me when I told them what I wanted. In fact with my first son, the midwife who delivered him, said afterwards when going through my notes that she didn't realise I had a birth plan.

With my third pregnancy I didnt bother writing a birth plan as I had previously been in premature labour at 29weeks with him and knew my birth plan would probably not be followed at all anyway.

This time round my midwife asked me to write a rough birth plan for our appointment next week but I told her I'm not going to bother as I didnt see the point because they were never followed with any of my previous pregnancies.

Everyone is different though, and you should go with what you feel best. My partners cousin is over due her baby by a week now and she said she wrote a birth plan just for her use.

anita665 · Apr 29th, 2008, 04:12 AM

I think they're usful to get your point across if you're really against pain relief & who you want as your birthing partner, whether you want baby put straight on you after birth - things like that. But I think you also have to be flexible and realise that things aren't likely to go exactly as you have in your birth plan so it's best to just stick to the things which really matter to you.

Holldoll · Apr 29th, 2008, 13:02 PM

I wrote one that includes what I want in a "normal" labor and what I want if intervention is necessary. That way, it's not saying that this is the way it has to go.

PitBullMommy · Apr 29th, 2008, 13:13 PM

I did up one that I really liked, then tried to give it to my doc/MW at my last appt and they laughed and said they 'don't honor' them.

marley2580 · Apr 29th, 2008, 13:46 PM

I did quite a detailed one which included all the what ifs, and my community midwives followed it completly. When I transferred to hospital, knowing my birth plan allowed my partner to know what my wishes were so we could keep a small sense of control - very important in that sort of situation. I do believe that it was keeping that sense of control that allows me to still feel very positive about my birth experience despite an emergency c-section after a failed homebirth.

Abbys_Mummy · Apr 29th, 2008, 22:47 PM

I think its good to have one there to try and follow evan if everything doesn`t go to plan that way the MWs and doctors have a fair idea of what you want.

Apr 29th, 2008, 03:45 AM	#1
Scuba Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 591	Birth plan advice! Hi all I hope everyone is ok and pregnancies all going as smoothly as possible for you all! My question today is about birth plans, I've heard some people say its pointless to write one because of not knowing how labour is going to be until you're experiencing it, but on the other hand some people have said that its a must have, and as this is my first pregnancy I haven't got a clue about how to write it or what to put in it! Any experiences or ideas would be really helpful! Thanks in advance! Laura x

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Apr 29th, 2008, 03:57 AM	#2
Little Monkey Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North East England, UK Posts: 168	I wrote birth plans for my first two pregnancies which were normal deliveries without any complications and not once did the midwifes follow them or listen to me when I told them what I wanted. In fact with my first son, the midwife who delivered him, said afterwards when going through my notes that she didn't realise I had a birth plan. With my third pregnancy I didnt bother writing a birth plan as I had previously been in premature labour at 29weeks with him and knew my birth plan would probably not be followed at all anyway. This time round my midwife asked me to write a rough birth plan for our appointment next week but I told her I'm not going to bother as I didnt see the point because they were never followed with any of my previous pregnancies. Everyone is different though, and you should go with what you feel best. My partners cousin is over due her baby by a week now and she said she wrote a birth plan just for her use.

Status: Offline

Apr 29th, 2008, 04:12 AM	#3
anita665 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 2,689	I think they're usful to get your point across if you're really against pain relief & who you want as your birthing partner, whether you want baby put straight on you after birth - things like that. But I think you also have to be flexible and realise that things aren't likely to go exactly as you have in your birth plan so it's best to just stick to the things which really matter to you.

Status: Offline

Apr 29th, 2008, 13:02 PM	#4
Holldoll Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,684	I wrote one that includes what I want in a "normal" labor and what I want if intervention is necessary. That way, it's not saying that this is the way it has to go.

Status: Offline

Apr 29th, 2008, 13:13 PM	#5
PitBullMommy Other BnB Addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 3,332	I did up one that I really liked, then tried to give it to my doc/MW at my last appt and they laughed and said they 'don't honor' them.

Status: Offline

Apr 29th, 2008, 13:46 PM	#6
marley2580 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Forfar Posts: 6,100	I did quite a detailed one which included all the what ifs, and my community midwives followed it completly. When I transferred to hospital, knowing my birth plan allowed my partner to know what my wishes were so we could keep a small sense of control - very important in that sort of situation. I do believe that it was keeping that sense of control that allows me to still feel very positive about my birth experience despite an emergency c-section after a failed homebirth.

Status: Offline

Apr 29th, 2008, 22:47 PM	#7
Abbys_Mummy Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 653	I think its good to have one there to try and follow evan if everything doesn`t go to plan that way the MWs and doctors have a fair idea of what you want.

Status: Offline

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