Birth Plan

[Fibilou]

I'm 34 weeks and am debating whether or not to do a birth plan. I am booked in at Crowborough which is very active birth, waterbirth, natural pain relief etc so I wonder if there is any point in making a plan as most of the "ideal scenario" I have in my head would be normal there anyway. I want a natural 3rd stage so I suppose that would have to be mentioned somewhere ?

My main thoughts are in the event of transfer to hospital - again is there any point in doing a plan when things will obviously have gone wrong ?

There are only a couple of points that are important to me:

1. No pethidine as I have a great fear of being out of control
2. Would like natural 3rd stage unless medically unwise.
3. Baby to be allowed to wriggle up tummy to root for breast

I guess what I'm saying is this - is there any point in making a birth plan about natural birth when you are going to a unit where their ethos is to avoid interventions unless necessary and if I get transferred woudl there be any point anyway ?

Yes it's good to have your thoughts down and if you do transfer it is good for the mws to know where you're coming from and often do their best to accomodate your hopes where possible. The natural 3rd stage is called a Physiological 3rd stage. That gives you time to enjoy the breastcrawl.

Hope you have a lovely birth.

Yes, still do a birth plan as it will help you feel you have done all you can in advance and you say you don't like feeling out of control.

Suggestions (ignore if you don't like):

• I would like a waterbirth (so the MWs will turn on the tap in time)
• I would like music
• I would / would not like to see the placenta
• how long you are prepared to try a natural third stage e.g. 20 or 30 minutes?
• I would like help with breastfeeding inc. latching on straight after the birth
• I would like to try gas and air
• I am using a TENS machine

Anyway, you get the idea.

Not sure breastcrawl is compatible with waterbirth, by the way, as baby might get cold? I didn't have this in my birth plan and with both my babies born underwater they handed them straight to me and put a towel over.

Also what does your birth partner want to include? DH did not want to cut the cord and we put that in but MW basically made him do it, I won't say bullied but clearly she expected it. 2nd labour we said hand baby to DH immediately after birth to hand to me as I knew I would be shaky! DH had nice skin to skin contact at that stage until I felt ready to hold DD safely.

And finally (erm, for now) do you want a student there or not?

Am I right in thinking with physiological 3rd stage the cord doesn't get cut and clamped anyway ?
If I put physio 3rd stage in plan will they automatically allow cord to stop pulsing ?

Not too bothered about having a student, certainly don't mind but you are guaranteed 1 to 1 MW care at Crowborough so there isn't that added bonus that you get in a busy maternity unit of getting a student all to yourself

No reason why it's not compatible with a water birth. Plus the instinct for the breastcrawl lasts 6 weeks so if you don't manage it in the pool, you can do that afterwards. Lots of my ladies manage it well.

Yes you're right about the physiological 3rd stage, but you can still add that you want the cord to stop pulsating before it is cut. Also, I wouldn't worry about how long you are prepared to wait for the placenta. Once your baby is suckling that should help the uterus contract and the action of the feet in the breastcrawl help massage the uterus.

Marslady, am I right in thinking that if the placenta takes it's time and you don't want to wait you can still have the injection ?

Really not keen on the idea of a RP and everyone I know that has had natural 3rd stage has been very positive about it. not bothered about "getting it over with" as I am sure I'll be too distracted by the baby anyway.

Yes that's true. If, however, there is any unexplained bleeding they'll want to give you the syntometrin injection.