birth plan - when is this discussed with MW?

[lainey1981]

HI,

Just wondering at what stage in my pregnancy the midwife will discuss my birth plan and options available to me?
I am 33w and so far there has been no discussion on this. my next appt is at 34+5
I am keen to know my options in terms of pain relief (should i need anything other than G&A)
also - what else is there to consider?

sorry first timer here and a wee bit clueless

[fruitshootsandheaves]

I think you should mention it to her at your next appointment. Sorry but I can't remember when I did my birth plan,I think it may have been towards the end of pregnancy during antenatal classes. I didn't stick to any of it in the end.
The only other things I can think to mention is where you would like to give birth...home, waterbirth etc
and if you wish for someone other than the midwife to cut the cord.
I'm sure some more up to date people will be along soon

[goodlifemummy]

I am nearly 29 weeks, and I think I talk about it with her at about 34 weeks.

[zahara1]

I am 30+5 and had an appointment this week. MW briefly mentioned it and said we would discuss in details at 34 and 36 weeks appt.

Defenitily ask her and in the meantime that you talk about it, get loads of info and read as much as you can so you have an idea of what you want (you probably already have anyway).

she should also give you a CD about breastfeeding. have you had that already?

[xMrsSx]

No discussion of birth plan here either and I am 37 weeks today! Perhaps they wait for you to bring it up, i.e.if you have any strong views on anything you will probably mention it to them??

[YummyMummy1208]

I live in mid wales and i know the care is different depending on where you live but in our hospital birth plan is done at 36 weeks checkup, im having mine on monday when ill be 37 weeks - late due to midwife being on holiday so we worked around her, its my second baby so to be honest i really am not that bothered about writing one seen as not much of it actually happened first time round!

[OmniaParatus]

I'd raise it with your MW. Mine ignored me until I asked with both my 2 pg's previously, and I found out that my birth plan was not read with my second birth, as I had stated I had GBS and this was not noticed by the attending MW because it was missed from my notes.

Bring it up, discuss it with your MW, and during you labour make sure it is read by all MW who attend you- if you are not in a position to do this yourself, ask your birth partner to make sure it is read. That's what I'm doing this time, maybe third time lucky!

[MollysChambers]

You should bring it up with them.
FWIW I have 3dc's and have never written a birth plan.

[louisesh]

Now 4o weeks and mine wasn t discussed until i was 38 weeks!!!! Mind you coming to the conclusion the midwifes i ve come in to contact with are crap!!!! Soo, unfortunately, not surprised at their lack of organisation any more!!!!!

[splatt]

Am 38+4 and no discussion of birth plan with midwife. We did talk about it at NCT class.

TBH though my birth plan says "deliver baby. keep us both safe. Do what's needed to achieve this" so there's not much to discuss!!

[lainey1981]

lol splatt!

thanks i'll mention it to MW at next appt. don't really have any strong views on anything though, didn't realise you didn't have to have/need a birth plan.

[MollysChambers]

If you don't have any strong views I would just see how it goes during labour.

[Northernlurker]

No you don't have to have a plan. You'll be giving birth whatever the plan!

I only ever discussed mine with the midwife doing the delivery - and she wrote some stuff down. I didn't have anything written down - just things I wanted and didn't want.
Lots of people put stuff about intervention in - no forceps etc. Tbh I have doubts about the value of spending time on that - as things come up you should be told about them and most women agree with the clincal plan because there's no time or energy to do otherwise. If a clinician feels forceps are the best way to deliver then they will ask to use them - whatever you put on your plan.
It is worth thinking about who you want to cut the cord, do you want baby wiped or delivered on to your tummy, what positions do you want, do you want to use water, what pain control do you aspire to.