Birth plan - essential notes

[AlwaysDancing1234]

Hi everyone, I'm 34 weeks with DC2 and as DC1 birth was over 6 years ago I'm struggling to remember what to put in my birth plan.
I'm thinking some notes on pain relief, skin to skin, feeding etc but please help me remember any other essentials or is there anything you forgot to mention but wish you had?
I know things don't usually go according to the written plan but need to have it to discuss with midwife later this week in any case!
Thanks

[Pregnantagain7]

Honestly? I've never done one or if I've had it's been something along the lines of I am happy to do what ever is necessary on the day and to see how I feel. I've usually told the midwife when I've met her how I want to find out the sex ie can dp tell me or can I see first if possible.
Saying that though I'm happy to just see how I go but some people have strong feelings about certain things I just find it hard to know what I want til I'm actually in labour! Sorry that's not really very helpful! Last time I said to my midwife that I wanted to see what happened on the day and she said that's fine just leave it! :)

[AlwaysDancing1234]

Midwife has asked me to write down some birth plan notes to be discussed at 34 week appointment that she can add to the front of my file.
It makes sense I think because the midwife team is so big I may not necessarily get to see a midwife I'm familiar with on the day and it helps them to have a quick few lines with your basic birth plan preferences.

[Cookiepants]

Mine was one sentence;

Get us through it safely

Seriously though the MW student who was with me in labour was fantastic! She laid out what I could expect at each stage of labour (before I got there) and discussed what choices I had and alternatives. I felt safe and supported throughout.
The only thing I would have turned down was high forceps. If they were required DS would've made a sunroof exit.

[DinoSnores]

Vitamin K?

Third stage: natural or managed?

My birth plan first time (in its entirely!) read:

MrDino is birth partner.
Medical/midwifery students are fine.
We don't know the sex and will find out ourselves.
MrDino might want to cut cord, please ask him.
IM Vit K is fine.
Third stage: if delivered in water and things going well, might try for physiological. If not, happy for managed.
Obviously want active labour and as few interventions as possible, but ultimate aim is healthy mother and healthy baby!

[AlwaysDancing1234]

Thanks Cookie & Dino really helpful

[KleineDracheKokosnuss]

Keep it short. Mine read:

• Would like to try for water birth
  
• No pethidine - will have bad reaction
  
• Yes to Vitamin K
  
• Skin to skin wanted straight after birth
  
• Leave cord alone until stopped pulsing
  
• Natural 3rd stage wanted - no injection
  
  That was it. Anything more I figures would be over egging things and was unlikely to work out!

[AlwaysDancing1234]

Thanks Kleine

[RuckAndRoll]

I was told to have DH's name and phone number on the birth plan, just incase I went in whilst he was at work, someone could easily call him.

[PicandMinx]

I didn't bother with a birth plan. However, my DSis had a laminated one!

Do not touch me
No students
No chatting
No bright lights
No drugs
DH to tell me the sex of our baby

She had the birth she wanted.

Good luck OP.

[goofygoober]

About to write mine too, last one didn't go to plan some good tips here!

[AlwaysDancing1234]

Thanks everyone, some good tips here

[isambardo]

I used bullet points and kept it brief. In addition to what others have said, I asked for lights to be kept dim, me to be mobile and I didn't want to be offered drugs, I would ask if I wanted them. I know I like things quiet so I can focus, everyone is different so it's just a good guide for them.

I wanted a home birth but had to be induced in the end, despite the change in circumstance they still really paid attention to my birth plan and I had a very positive experience.