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Pregnancy

Did you do a birth plan?

55 replies

ALR123 · 22/10/2015 20:58

Had my 28 week midwife appointment today, totally forgot to ask her about doing a birth plan and she didn't mention it. I have no idea what my options are and am a but confused and don't know if I even need a plan? If so when do they get done normally?
I'm not starting my nct antenatal course till I'm 35 weeks so I wasn't sure how things work. Thanks!

OP posts:

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LibrariesGaveUsP0wer · 23/10/2015 20:32

I think where birth plans go a bit wrong is the plan bit. You can't plan labour.

But it can be really useful to have thought "I might want a water birth, but do I have any preferences if I have a section "

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hedgehogsdontbite · 23/10/2015 22:06

Even the 999 back up plan for when all else fails didn't work for me. DS's obsession with emergency vehicles clearly began before birth and there was no way he wanted to miss a trip in an ambulance with blue flashing lights. So out he popped, in the middle of the street before I could get in it. Thankfully the paramedic was a good catch.

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Iammad · 24/10/2015 09:48

Nope never with all 5 and I won't be doing it with this one either.
Most midwifes will ask you if you want skin to skin,how you want to feed,you can ask for certain pain relief if and when you need it.
Also they have to ask if you want the jab to help the placenta out.
Same as baby having vitamin k.
I think the worst thing about labour is not having any control over it, but it's your body and your baby and most midwifes will be happy to help you in any way they can.

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randomsabreuse · 24/10/2015 15:20

I just discussed it with my (medically trained) DH and said he was the one to make the decisions as required. Only real thought was no water birth - I don't even like baths. 2nd one when/if will be:

Last time I went very quickly from 2cm to 10 cm - please be aware of this... 5 hours from 2cm to arrival about 3 hours of which was pushing stage!

Would like skin to skin asap and will ideally be breastfeeding asap as well.

Vitamin K jab please

Will take the rest as it comes.

Oh and definitely no waterbirth - the bath was no help whatsoever when I was in labour!

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Tfoot75 · 24/10/2015 18:03

I did the NHS standard one and discussed with midwife at 36 week appointment. It seems late at the time but of course if you did go into labour before 37 weeks a lot of choice would automatically be removed. I was extremely impressed that my midwife in the midwife led unit followed it to the letter without asking or discussing (just left plan in my notes folder), down to delayed cord clamping etc. Although I'm not sure how much was just standard practice at that unit. It is worth doing though, just accept that your plans may need to change depending on situation. I was lucky that mine didn't.