Birth Plan

[Apples6544]

Hi, I’m 34 weeks pregnant with first baby, should I take a written birth plan to hospital when the time comes or is it a waste of time? Thank you

[Quitthat]

Might be worth having it handy to remind your birth partner of your ideal scenario if you're a bit zoned out. I found that I didn't really need mine written out, as I was able to hold conversations between contractions, and when I was given options of eg pain relief I was able to say what I'd prefer at that time. And tbh I didn't really stick to the plan much, as I ended up in a pool which wasn't on my plan, and was wonderful!

No harm in jotting down your preferences though. They won't force you to stick to it if you change your mind in the moment :) good luck to you!

[Apples6544]

Thank you! 😊

[ThinkPink71]

Ive written mine out....which has totally gone out the window as Im being induced tomorrow.

But, I would still do it x

[lockdownpregnancy]

I didn't even know what a birth plan was or that something like that existed until I saw this thread and googled it. 😂😂😂
My take is ignorance is bliss, epidural, and do whatever it takes to make sure me and baby are safe! Haha!!!
Too much information gives me extreme anxiety! I just know he's gotta come out! Lol 😝

[Apples6544]

I’m quite relaxed about it but there are some things I’d like if possible/ things I want to avoid. I think I might as well put something together 👍🏼

[MarshmallowsOnToast]

There's a page in the back of your notes with space for a birth plan. I've just put a few random details on there. Nothing too in depth.

[Millettmum]

Anyone got a link to a template?

[Keha]

I think its worth looking at some templates and jotting it down, more so you have had chance to think about how things could turn out and what options you have. I don't think it's great to have someone offering you pethidine, or saying they want to do an episiotomy or ventouse is needed and you've no idea what that means, especially mid labour.

[strawberry2017]

I would maybe have more of a think about things you don't want E.g.
Forceps- yes or no?
Ventouse cap - yes or no?
Epidural?
Would you allow an induction? Even if you knew you could be In hospital for days on your own until you are in established labour

That type of thing.
You can write down all your ideals easily enough but it can be hard to say no to things you don't want at the time.
I hated my first birth because I felt completely out of control and didn't realise I could say no to things I wasn't comfortable with.
This time I knew exactly what I wouldn't agree too, made sure my husband knew and it went much smoother.

[SockQueen]

@Millettmum this is one suggested by the NHS if you haven't got a section in your notes for it (I did first time, didn't 2nd time). You don't have to write it down, or write something for every section, but it includes the various different things you might like to think about. I didn't write one second time but discussed most things with DH, and my midwife asked at each stage what I wanted with e.g. pain relief, delivering the placenta, vitamin K etc.

assets.nhs.uk/prod/documents/My-birth-plan-nhs.docx

[doughnutmuffin]

I wrote mine out a few weeks before hand, I saw the midwives reading over it which was good as I didn't have to explain anything, I left it open though stating if things had to change for health of myself and baby that's fine

[MichelleOR84]

I had a birth plan in my maternity notes but it wasn’t that detailed . I was kinda whatever about labour and just wanted baby out !

[Wolfgirrl]

Waste of time unless theres something you feel incredibly strongly about. As my nana said to me, 'no point. the baby won't read it'.

The best thing you ca do to prepare IMO is have a detailed discussion with your birth partner on what you would want in various scenarios, you probably wont be in a place to advocate for yourself so they can do it for you. And maybe not down a few notes on their mobile etc so they dont forget. Good luck!

[YinMnBlue]

Also include your general philosophy and approach - if you feel like lockdown[regnancy above, then say so, so that you don't get lots of details and questions about decision making.

Otherwise put something like "as far as possible I would like to be able to XYZ...if this becomes difficult for any reason, I would like the situation described to me, with possible alternatives as well as the impact of doing nothing"
Whether you prefer to be left in peace when you are 'in your zone' or whether you like lots of re-assurance and physical touch.
Any plans for the birth - whether you would like to have the baby delivered onto your tummy and left skin to skin, whether you want them to tell you the baby's sex or find out yourself.
Things like that.

[YinMnBlue]

Wolfgirl: no one thinks that the birth will follow the plan...but my midwives did read my plan and they supported me accordingly. It was well worth it. (and we made a significant departure from the intended 'ideal' plan, but it still really helped).

Also my midwives told me what sort of things they would find helpful.

[Cherryrainbow]

It could be handy. I wrote one for my son's birth in 2013 but i don't recall anyone even looking at it. The Labour went nothing like I thought it would but the staff at the hospital were really good at explaining what was happening, why they were doing stuff, checking what pain relief I wanted and stuff like that. Hopefully you will be able to just verbalize what you want/don't want as you go along.

[thunderthighsohwoe]

Mine really helped. I’d stated that I would not go on the drip for induction until an epidural had been administered. With advance notice, the hospital got an anaesthetist ready and waiting for me when we went up to the delivery suite.

I loved that epidural.

[Megan2018]

I found it helpful. I didn’t quite stick to mine 100% but got all the things that mattered.

They are a plan and like all plans, are subject to change. But there are things that are important to have thought about like - are you happy for baby to have Vit K? How do you want placenta delivered? Delayed cord cutting? etc etc

I wanted an epidural on the plan - didn’t get one (labour too fast). I didn’t want Pethidine (had 1 small dose).

But I did avoid an episiotomy, did get skin to skin, DH did cut cord after a delay etc.

So do your research but be prepared to flex it.