Birth Plans - have you made one?

[Plunkett]

Didn't really do one with DS as never saw the same midwife twice through whole of pregnancy and really wasn't sure what choices etc were. My only 'plans' were that I wanted birthing ball and any drugs available - as it was I had 1 hr labour so didn't get a chance for anything and just got on with it.
6 yrs later i'm a bit more aware of options and have a lovely midwife who is very pro-choice. Thinking of making a plan but wondering if anyone ever gets use from them?

I wish I had never made a plan with DS1 as I was really disappointed when he had completely different ideas to mine. I think the name should be changed to 'some ideas about things I would like to happen at the birth but that may change when birth happens' - or perhaps a snappier title!

That was my thoughts Lori , don't think i'll bother or may have one along the lines of I do not want to give birth in a car/side of road

I didn't have one, never even got round to discussing the birth beyond being provisionally booked in for CS as baby was breech for a while. Am glad I never bothered as pretty sure it wouldn't have gone along the lines of ' go in a week early, unprepared, be kept in and induced, have tons of various drugs, have epesiotomy, ventouse delivery and then manual removal of placenta.....' :)

plunkett I can't link but if you look in a thread from earlier today called Bad first experience, writing a birth plan second time round you'll see I copied the plan that comes with my notes, it might give you some ideas.

I had to fill in the same plan with DS and it was definitely useful if not followed. The act of making the plan helped focus my mind on things I needed to know about and was a good starting point for briefing DH on his role. As I was induced in the end a lot of it wasn't really relevant, but I think the midwives knowing that I wanted an active birth had a positive impact as they helped me to do this despite CFM. It should be noted though that it being the standard form that all women in my area have to use so that will have a huge impact on how useful they are.

I agree that a few ideas to focus your mind and that of the midwives is good. Things like 'I would like to use the birthing pool' or 'I would like an epidural' etc BUT what concerns me is that being rather naive I felt that my birth plan was just that 'a plan' not just some wishes if things go well. Although my first delivery was upsetting and I felt quite upset about for months afterwards the next two were much much better as I had a more relaxed and realistic view about birth.

I had a plan with dd. it was a few key points. Water birth, minimal monitoring wanted to stay active, me to have first skin 2 skin cuddle. Every point went out the window when my waters broke n there was meconium in them

I've had a plan (in fact 'birth preferences', as that's a bit more flexible), for all three of my births. Each time it's got shorter, but I've been more definite about what I do and don't want. The first time my community midwife wasn't interested in discussing it, though it was read in labour. For DC2 & 3 it was discussed briefly at my homebirth appointment, although the first midwife was more interested in telling me stuff about their policies and protocols than listening to my opinions/worries.

DC2 was born before the midwife arrived, so it was academic. The midwife who did turn up ignored some of my clearly expressed wishes in relation to the placenta.

For DC3 I'm not convinced the midwife read it properly. She ignored some things that were crucial to me personally (e.g. she tried to direct me re pushing during the second stage, when I specifically wanted no talking at all).

Actually, I'm really worried about how the midwives I'll likely never have met before will behave when they turn up for DC4's homebirth. Although I have met some excellent midwives, in labour I have yet to be cared for by anyone I've ever met before and it's not a time I want to be explaining myself or negotiating , yet that is exactly what I feel I've had to do every single time so far -and that's with one v medicalised birth and two homebirths. I feel like labouring women are at the mercy of the views of whoever they happen to be allocated on the day, and it is totally pot luck. It doesn't fill me with confidence .

I've made a plan. I showed it to my mum and she snorted tea out of her nose laughing :( .
My plan:

• I discover contractions don't hurt
• lovely jolly mid wife arrives and has a cup of tea
• I get into my lovely warm pool in the sitting room with the fire going and an old fluffy film on.
• after a couple of hours husband orders a chinese
• I eat chinese food in my pool
• everyone entertains me whilst I'm in my throne, my pool with karaoke
• no mess or gross body leakages of any kind
• no 'proddings' of any sort from midwife
• I find gas is amazing
• baby pops out no probs in under four hours
• no tears of any sort
• into bed with contented non screaming baby and get 12 hours sleep

Hey, it COULD happen! :o