Birth Plan... AIBU?

[BabyBlusher]

The Portland hands clients a little birth plan template to help check what things they may wish to have and I've gone though the list happily ticking off the important things (birth pool, what pain management tools I'll use, etc.) but they offer the option to decorate a little bit.

I really don't want to go over the top like those Portland horror stories you hear about women demanding the whole room be redecorated with their furniture from home, but I would like to make it feel less medical.

I was hoping the hospital would be fine with LED tea lights, fresh bunches of roses, peonies and other flowers. My partner is happy to get flowers ready to help me feel more at home. I've gotten some backlash from friends saying it's stupid. Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones but this really seemed insulting, and no matter how I defended myself they just kept saying how stupid and useless it would all be. I really wanted them there once the baby is born but now I'm thinking twice. I know if they say something it'll upset me on a really special and wonderful day. Is it me? Should I just invite them anyway? Should I scrap the whole decorating plan so they won't say anything when they do come?

Have what you like to relax you. My friend hypnobirthed with fake candles which made the room darker and relaxed her as she chugged gas and air. She also had some oils smelling, it helped her through a very long labour. Her husband now cannot stand the smells though so also be prepared for yours to hate the flowers and tea lights after!

Do be prepared for it to not go that way you expect and build it up too much. Disappointment can lead to low feelings.

I think the template idea is a good one. That avoids overly elaborate and detailed pans that no-one reads anyway.

confused bag of mince

😂😂😂😂😂😂

Is this Beaniebabies / Maui / diamonds woman ???

FlapAttack88

I do believe there are labiaplasty operations available to women these days, plus vagina tightening at Rita's in London.

Give me Ritas number!

Ok I'll play along..
op have you been to visit the Portland? It's more like a 5* hotel than a hospital. I think you'll be ok.

Haha babyblusher.. super! !!

But the immediate swelling and bruising is what I am referring to! Enjoy your portland experience .. I watched the tv documentary on it and it was really interesting how different people do things! As I said before.. do whatever makes you happy and ignore other snidy remarks people. . Your birth not theirs.

But if you want ti avoid the comments maybe don't talk about it too much as once youre pregnant and have a baby everyone wants to wade in with their opinions.. and aftr this birth you may look back and agree with some of them.

I would personally save the flower money for more gazpacho

I'd rather spend the money on the drugs,
The good ones

It sounds like a lovely idea OP. Ignore all the stupid negative comments.

Anything that makes you feel more relaxed, calm, safe and at home will genuinely help your birth go more smoothly. If you're calm, then your adrenaline levels will remain low and your oxytocin will increase, leading to a smoother faster labour. Adrenaline inhibits oxytocin, so if you're not relaxed it can hinder things.

I'd just like to point out to the posters scoffing that this wouldn't happen on the NHS, that my NHS hypnobirthing midwives absolutely encouraged me to bring in anything that would help me. We discussed fairy lights, making positive mood boards, using aromatherapy, music, photos etc. All welcomed and encouraged on my midwife led unit.

As it happened, my recent labour was extremely fast and I barely had time to get my knickers off let alone get my hypnobirthing stuff out of our suitcase. 😂

But had my 2nd labour been like my first (5 very long days!) all that stuff would have been lovely to help me feel relaxed in my hospital room.

Is this Beaniebabies / Maui / diamonds woman ???

Don't know, but I can't find the parallel "Takeaway/Cotswolds Village" thread now.

@QuinionsRainbow Removed due to troll hunting, despite MNHQ asking troll hunters to stop.

I've never heard of this. I was only concerned that my baby was okay tbh

All you really need are Mars bars. A lot of Mars bars. Yes!! I had someone bring me a Maccy D after

Op make sure they allow you to control the room temperature to your exact specifications. Them damn NHS midwives wouldn't let me keep the window open whilst I was pushing because baby couldn't be born in a draft, the absolute nerve!

@QuinionsRainbow alas that was deleted, although OP has another thread going where she's taken a photo of her Hermes Birkin and Charlotte Olympia shoes at the Portland itself. Y'know, just so we aren't in any doubt of how much money she's got!

A very tasteful arrangement! However, Elf and Safety might be interested, as I can't work out exactly how the cylinder/extinguisher stand is fixed to the glass wall.