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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

My "birth plan" seems a bit crap.

97 replies

ChineapplePunk · 30/12/2011 22:03

Basically, my birth plan consists of seeing how far I can get with gas and air and then opting for an epidural if I don't think I can make it. Can't really think of anything else I would like to include in regards to pain relief. I really do not fancy taking pethidine or any other opiates. From what I have read, it doesn't sound particularly beneficial for either baby or mother. Has anyone anything positive to say about it? Or any advice in regards to maybe coming up with a more comprehensive birth plan if this sounds a bit too basic? I usually feel that simplicity is best, but hey, having a baby may not be that simple and I am fully prepared for the fact that anything could happen (although I hope I'm one of the lucky ones.) :)

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Casmama · 30/12/2011 22:06

I think that is a very sensible approach to take and you are less likely to be disappointed if things don't go according to plan. I had a reasonably detailed birthplan which I decided to leave at home after finding out I was going to be induced. Good luck with everything.

familyfun · 30/12/2011 22:07

have you considered a tens machine, i have had 2 babies just using a tens machine and found it effective pain relief.

ScrummyYummyMummy · 30/12/2011 22:08

I wrote a birth plan for DD1, but am pretty sure none of the midwives even looked at it. In the end, medicine had to take over!

If you're looking for more things to write on there, maybe think about whether you'd like birthing partner to cut the cord or one of the medical staff to do it. You could also put something on there about whether you're hoping to BF or not and also skin to skin contact?

Imnotaslimjim · 30/12/2011 22:09

It sounds very similar to mine was tbh. Wanted to see how I went going as natural as I could, definitely didn't want opiates. MW convinced me otherwise towards the end and I did regret it. TENS machine worked well too, though it did get a bit annoying having the wires pat me on the back!

Original poster

ChineapplePunk · 30/12/2011 22:09

I'm going to read up on tens machines, familyfun. I like the sound of them. :)

OP posts:

Xmasbaby11 · 30/12/2011 22:11

That sounds fine! Just remember not to start too early on the gas and air, as the effects can wear off, and then you won't be able to take other pain relief as others take a while to kick in.

Simple is best because you don't know how things will pan out. It's best to be familiar with the options.

Machasma · 30/12/2011 22:11

I was given pethadine. It was awful. I don't remember much and didn't even recognise my OH. I wish I'd been offered gas and air because I'm sure I could have done it with that. Won't tell you my awful birth story but I I think going as long as poss (I think I was 7cm) then gas and air for last part is a very good plan.

StarlightMcKenzie · 30/12/2011 22:13

Mine was LONG and read like a 'choose your own adventure' I.E. If x then y etc. The midwife was horrified when she saw it but read every word and even insisted it was adhered to when I was wavering at the end

DiscoDaisy · 30/12/2011 22:13

I never had a birth plan with any of my 5. I just went with the flow each time.

suebfg · 30/12/2011 22:14

Don't worry about it. No one ever looked at my birth plan. I think it's more for yourself, being fully briefed of the options.

exoticfruits · 30/12/2011 22:14

I can't see the point of a birth plan, just go with the flow.

Original poster

ChineapplePunk · 30/12/2011 22:15

Machasma, There is definitely a pattern here. Every single person I have spoken to who had pethidine during labour said it was awful.....

OP posts:

RandomMess · 30/12/2011 22:18

sounds fine to me. Def look into tens machine to use along with gas and air it does help (as I found out bitterly when the batteries ran out...)

My most successful birth plan was

no continuous monitoring (I was being induced AGAIN)
no catheter if I have an epidural (it was automatic according to hospital policy)
Dh is just here to carry the bags I want the MW to be my birthing partners
No to going on the postnatal ward (it was hideous)
No blood sugar testing for the baby (I have big babies)

Anyway you get the idea it was pretty straightforward, they giggled but we did it to the letter and it was the best birth of the lots and I didn't need the epidural in the end.

StarlightMcKenzie · 30/12/2011 22:22

Birth plans are extremely important once you understand that optimal births occur when the woman is relaxed with the right hormones at work. Only the individual woman can know what will trigger and sustain them both for birthing and breastfeeding.

I knew I needed privacy to birth so opted for a pool where it all happens under water with hands off. I knew I wanted no hands on me or the baby at any point except for in a medical emergency. I knew I didn't want the baby taken from me to be weighed before the first feed, or for me to have the cord cut before the placenta had been delivered, and that I wanted to remain in the pool in the dim light until the placenta had passed.

I knew I wanted 3 birthing partners. I knew I preferred to tear than have guided pushing or anyone telling me what to do and override my instincts. I knew with such a gentle birth there would be no need for the vit k injection.

Etc etc.

tigana · 30/12/2011 22:24

How about whether you want to stay mobile in labour ? IME it's easy to slip into " there is a bed, I am in hospital, therefore I must lie on the bed" mode... so you can use the plan to remind yourself/birth parter/MW that you would rather move about/use birth ball/change positions to help with labour pains.

Chubfuddler · 30/12/2011 22:25

I didn't have much more than that - other things to think about are who cuts cord and wherher you want placenta delivered naturally or shot to expel it. Labour is not like wedding planning. Being v prescriptive not a good idea really.

exoticfruits · 30/12/2011 22:28

I had never had a baby, been involved in a birth so I hadn't a clue!! There was no point in a birth plan.
As it was I did my own thing, I was never even examined until at least 8cm dilated so there wasn't time for anyone to override my instincts. I was just friendly-I wouldn't want to upset people with a lot of dictations about who was to touch me etc.
They were 3 lovely births.
Each to their own however-but if you are not sure then I wouldn't worry-go with the flow.

Chubfuddler · 30/12/2011 22:28

I have no idea what that inane smiley is doing there. Stupid fat fingers and iPhone.

NannyPlumIsMyMum · 30/12/2011 22:29

I honestly don't believe in birth plans. Mother nature has her own way of doing things . Plus, what you think you want now won't be what you want when baby needs to come out ...

scottishmummy · 30/12/2011 22:31

regardless of what you plane. aware most births don't stick to plan
be prepared for having to take mw, med. advice
take as much analgesia as you need
and don't beat self up in pursuit of natural bouncing on a gym ball,chanting

exoticfruits · 30/12/2011 22:31

If you get all these plans you are just going to be disappointed if it goes wrong. I don't think it is an event like a wedding either!
You can be as mobile in labour as you like if you just move around. On my last one they wouldn't take me seriously when I said I was about to have him. When they at last looked I said 'can I push' and they said 'yes' and he was born!

BoffinMum · 30/12/2011 22:32

I think it makes sense to say whether you want to be able to get on with it on your own (hands off) or whether you'd feel better having a lot of monitoring and guidance. Most births seem to go best if women get on with it by themselves with only light supervision from a mw, btw.

exoticfruits · 30/12/2011 22:33

I didn't want pain relief-however with the first I said 'yes please, anything!' but as it was I was too late, so it was gas and air. I don't think that you can know beforehand-much better to wait and see.

exoticfruits · 30/12/2011 22:34

You don't need a plan to get on with it-you just do get on with it!

bamboozled · 30/12/2011 22:34

Oh Chubfuddler, that is the best thing I have heard for ages - LABOUR IS NOT LIKE WEDDING PLANNING !!! Totally spot on - Surely all you want is healthy baby, healthy mother and intervention if needed to provide these!

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