birthing plan

[littleElif]

Hi,

saw MW at 36 weeks. Next appointment will be at 40 weeks (2nd baby). It just crossed my mind that we have not written a birthing plan and it has not been mentioned (and I forgot to ask about it).

Just wondered if this is standard now? Do you write one with your MW?

I think I will just draft something myself now...

I was expected to write my own.

It wouldn't have made any difference anyway, because the "plan" went right out of the window as soon as I went into labour anyway!

I wrote a page of notes & put it into my blue folder - handed it to MW as I arrived at birth centre. I wouldn't say it went right out the window, as I did most of it. But I was in MW led birth centre so things were going to be fairly easy going anyway. I did have some drugs I didn't plan on for a 'half time' break/rest as I was completely exhausted (I was very slow to dilate & started in the evening so didn't sleep for days) and I did have the placenta shot which I was unsure about before the birth - just get it out asap please!!!!

In the NHS system in London I certainly never had my own 'midwife' to write one with.

We have a longer appointment with the MW at 34 weeks to discuss birthing options, but I think we're then supposed to actually write the plan ourselves.

There is a whole section on NHS choices website which is designed to produce a birth plan for you. However, the finished article is pages and pages long and has q's on it that might be irelevent to you e.g. to do with needing a translator etc.

However, I found it really useful to get me thinking so I went through the exercise of producing it and saving it online. But then I typed my own with just the basics which fits on an A4 sheet which I have stuck in my notes. It has just helped to focus my own mind, but I very much doubt busy midwifes will have time to study it when the time comes!

According to the midwife who ran our antenatal classes, the only 2 things they ALWAYS need you have decided in advance if you can are a) whether you want injection to help deliver the placenta and b) whether you want vitamin K injection to be given to bubba after the birth.

I spent lots of time on mine. But if I had to do it again, it would just be do everything possible to have healthy baby and mother. I just think that the whole birth giving becomes too much of a centre of attention rather than the baby.

I have written a loose one - as I am also giving birth in a stand alone midwife unit, most of the things I want are standard anyway. I have just specified things like partner to cut the cord, which of the bigger hospitals I'd want to transfer to if it becomes necessary, that I want to BF, that I want to use the pool and have some aromatherapy etc. I think it helps to have an idea of what you'd like in the best case scenario, though I have stated I am happy for whatever measures to be taken if it comes down to the welfare of the baby. I agree totally with dikkert - it can seem from some birth plans I've read, that sometimes labour can become more about the woman and her wants, rather than what is best for baby.

I had to write it myself, but the midwife gave me some pointers.