Birth Plan template anyone?

[nauseous]

yes I know I'm probably being very optomistic to be even writing one but surely worth a try?!

try this
or this

google 'birth plan template' and see what you come up with!

I got told by a gyn friend of mine that most of the templates online were far too long - she said to keep it short and sweet, bullet-point it, and underline important points in bold ('Intend to BREASTFEED, would like SKIN-TO-SKIN.' 'Would like pain relief, ESPECIALLY EPIDURAL.') She says that your midwives are likely to be harried and overworked, and will wind up just skimming a lengthy three-page ode to natural birth.

I was induced with my 1st preg and had the chance to speak to my mw about what I'd prefer. And even my birth plan for this one in about 4 weeks is only a few lines long to be honest. Eg want epidural. Avoid episiotomy (except in emerg or going to tear). DH as partner. Skin-2-skin. BF.

The plans that go into ambience and soft music etc IMO are a bit OTT!

At the end of the day, so long as me and baby are both safe and sound and anything interventional done for the right reason, I am fairly relaxed about what happens.

It is probably more important to talk things through with your birth partner so they can make the decisions for you when you're otherwise engaged! I'm sure on our thread nauseaus there will be plenty of birth plan advice - we seem to be covering everything there from hospital bag packing to baby bags and nappies!!! See you over there later on!

cheers ladies. I was only intendeing to be brief but just doidnt want to miss anything out!

Hi ladies, i'm wondering if anyone can offer any insomnia advice as i'm 39 weeks preg (no.1) and worrying about lack of sleep. My mind seems so active and it's been two months of lousey shut eye including not getting to sleep til 2pm and waking twice an hour for the loo.Throughout the day i'm usually fine, and can get up as normal then have an afternoon hours nap. Thanks, Nicky

This is the one I'm using: www.nhs.uk/Planners/pregnancycareplanner/Pages/BirthPlan.aspx

To be honest, even if the midwives don't use it much, it's making me think about stuff I wouldn't necessarily have addressed before, so can't be a bad thing.

Thanks to divedaisy for the WomensHealthCare link and CaringForPod for the NHS link - busy typing up my birthplan and those were both simple, useful templates....