At what point does the midwife talk to you about your birthing options?

[skyra13]

I had my 28 week midwife appointment today it was short and sweet not much happened.
I am consultant led but only seen them once due to see them again next week after my 3rd scan does the consultant talk to me about birthing options or midwife?

I don't feel like I receive much support I have another appointment with her at 31 weeks but she said that's only if I don't get given another appointment by the consultant!

Only 12 weeks left feel like I need to know more of what I have choice in or speak to someone face to face instead of looking on the internet!

Mine talked about it at my booking in appointment at 8 weeks...

My midwife is always running late feels like there is never enough time to talk about anything!

What do you mean options? If you mean where to have the baby (home, hospital etc) mine were done at my booking in appt both times.

I'm 33w, I think unless I say anything to the contrary they just presume you're going to come to the Hosp when you're in labour and use gas and air/discuss it when you get there.

I think they will look at birth plan etc at 36 weeks if you ask. Doesn't make sense to do it before then because, 1. If baby comes before 36 weeks a lot of the options won't apply as baby will be prem, 2. No point discussing it before because things can change in between then and the birth.

Having my talk on Tuesday, when I'll be 36 weeks.

Mine didn't at all! Told her what hospital I intended to give birth in at the booking appt and that was it. I just did some research and went armed with information when I went into labour.

Was told to do a birthing plan at 36 week appointment yesterday. Don't know if that is it? Maybe is a thing for the anti natal classes but missed the labour one due to having a really horrible virus.

Beth a birthing plan is generally just where you write down your preferences for labour, for example you'd like to avoid an epidural if possible, or definitely no pethidine, or you want calm music playing, etc etc. While they can be useful for getting your thoughts down remember that it helps to be flexible as generally labour will be nothing like you imagine it! For example I was absolutely petrified of having a catheter and told the mw this, but ended up having one as my bladder was too full to push the baby out properly. You don't have to have one (I didn't) but it can be a way of ensuring the midwife knows your wishes as it's quite easy to forget/get flustered when you're actually there.

At my 32 (ish) week appointment I mentioned a birthplan to my mw and she booked me in for a double appointment at 36 weeks to read over it and answer any questions but did it as more of a courtesy really. At the time I thought this was leaving it very late but had the baby come before then any birthplan would have probably gone out of the window anyway. I was asked if I wanted a home birth at my booking in but nothing else. I found the mw appointments to be brief but once they've checked your wee and blood pressure there's very little else for them to do, they won't be anywhere close when you deliver your baby.

Booking in appointment here as well, but second time round I changed my mind from hospital to home at about 20 weeks and it wasn't an issue at all.

You can talk til the cows come home, write up a master birth plan etc etc but you get the birth you get

Relax, enjoy these last few weeks, you have absolutely zero control over the birth so breathe and unclench, it will be what it will be, baby will decide

iamusuallybeingunreasonable you have to discuss where you are going to have your baby though don't you? After all if I wanted a homebirth they'd have up book it in etc

She didn't. She gave me a print out thing to fill in. I told her I had but she never asked to see it.

I ended up being induced and no one at the hospital asked either. I did my own research online and DP was briefed on it so he knew what I really cared about (delayed cord clamping, delivery of DP into my chest) but generally, the rest of it went to plan anyway!

Ha! DS onto my chest! Not DP!

I think they assume if you want anything like a homebirth/anything outside of a local MLU or hospital, you would bring it up with them...

Gaaahh! And that first one meant to say it generally DIDN'T go to plan. Yikes.

32 weeks with me. They don't earlier to avoid getting someone all geared up for say a water birth then come 3rd trimester they have high BP and spd.
Worked well for me as my risk reduced over the duration so I was offered the birth centre which they wouldn't have advised earlier.

I'm now overdue, neither my midwife or consultant has spoken to me about "birthing options" but to be fair I'm not that bothered, as it's my first pregnancy I really have no idea what sort or birth I will experience or what pain relief I will need. I'm hoping to just go with the flow when the time comes (hopefully soon!)

Maybe ask at next appointment if you can discuss birth preferences?

All I have been told is I maybe able to go to the birthing centre that is closer to home If my pregnancy has been ok otherwise I will have to go to the hospital that is 40min away, haven't really been told much els. Suppose I just go with the flow!

Going into the birthing centre is definitely something you can 'opt' for but it really does depend on the circumstances during the labour. I was very keen to do the birthing centre but then needed induction and constant monitoring so it was sadly a no go.

But you should definitely have your options noted quite early on. Especially if you have multiple hospitals in your area or are considering a home birth (although I suspect you'd probably have brought that up yourself if you felt strongly about it )