Is this birth plan a bit complicated?

[CrazyChristmasLady]

I have M.E. so want MW to be aware of this, even though it may not have any affect.

Birthing pool with gas and air if available.

If not, just gas and air, don't want diamorphine and if I do ask for it, half a dose as medications do affect me quite badly sometimes.

Want to avoid epidural if possible as I had one last time and ended up with forceps and 3rd degree tear.

If I do need intervention and it isn't too late, I want an EMCS rather than intervention.

NO AUTOMATIC EPISIOTOMY, which is what my consultant (or the registrar has put on my notes that I am to have if I have a natural birth, I have a choiec about having a c section this time which I don't really want). I don't agree that doing an epi reduces the chances or tearing and neither does my MW.

Episiotomy to only be done if it is absolutely necessary.

Me to get in best positions for gravity to help and MW to coach me through pushing to try and minimise risk of tearing.

Is this ok or is it a bit complicated?

[ben5]

no not if you talk about it with mw first.
good luck
my birth plans were to give pain relief! i had only time for gas and air but did have to have an epidual because of a retained placenta

[mazzystartled]

Sounds fine, and perfectly reasonable, although it is definitely worth discussing with a midwife and preferably your consultant beforehand, especially re the EMCS vs intervention - in my experience it is worth really exploring this and getting hospital "sign off" in advance if possible. you don't want to be arguing the pros and cons of forceps at crunch time.

I'd also put it in a different order - the the bit about positions first - and maybe put it in bullet points - so if necessary it can be taken in at a glance.

[MarmiteMagic]

It sounds fairly reasonable to me.

I also made sure that my DP was completely familiar and on board with everything I wanted in case I wasn't in a position to stick up for myself and he needed to do the talking.

[CrazyChristmasLady]

Thanks. I thought it may be a bit long winded.

That isn't the final order, just a run through of what I want and I will put it in bullet points so they can glance quickly. I am also doing a copy for DH to have to hand as well.

Good idea about discussing it with consultant and (hopefully) getting them to sign it off first. Didn't think of that and the doctor that done the forceps last time wasn't exactly friendly and approachable so wouldn't be able to talk to her in an emergency!

[StarlightWonderStarlightBright]

LOL

Mine was pages and pages. It was a bit like those 'choose your own adventure' books.

i.e. If x, then turn to page 6, but if y then turn to page 11

[KnowNothing]

Sounds reasonable to me. I hope you have a great birth. My first was also an epidural-episiotomy-forceps affair. My second, however, was a water birth with 2 puffs of gas and air. So I truly hope the same happens for you [un MN hug]

[CrazyChristmasLady]

Encouraging to know Know, exactly what I am hoping for this time!

Star ideally mine would be but I want the MW to 'get' it and am afriad if I make it too long, she won't bother to read it.

[StarlightWonderStarlightBright]

It was long, but most of it wasn't relevant.

(I had a contents page) and no, 4 was episiotemy, 4 was instrumental delivery, 5 was c/section iyswim.

So if things were straighforward, my birthplan was just a couple of paragraphs.