| Posted By |
Message |
PrettyPeonies
GAW my baby boy <3
Member since 8/10 3874 total posts
Name:
Pino
|
BTDT Birthing Plan
I am about 35.5 wks now and have decided to write up my birth plan. When I went for the hospital tour (Good Sam) a few months back the RN giving the tour encouraged us to do it. My question is how detailed should it be. I'm looking at some examples online and some are 4+ pages. Do they have to be that long or is that overkill?
I am very laid back about my future labor and am very well aware that I cant always control the situation. I dont want to make this harder on DH & I than needed and I def dont want to make the medical staff jobs harder that necessary. I want to be proactive but don't want to go crazy. Any advice?
TIA!
|
Posted 6/26/12 3:05 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
bettybcafe
Big brother in the making
Member since 7/07 8611 total posts
Name:
M
|
Re: BTDT Birthing Plan
If you are laid back about things then why have one? I was the same as you, kind of go with the flow kind of thing so I didnt even bother with a birth plan. I just told them what I wanted as things progressed..honestly, the only thing I was certain on was that I wanted an epi.
Message edited 6/26/2012 3:13:16 PM.
|
| Posted 6/26/12 3:10 PM |
| |
|
Otherme
Square head cutie pants
Member since 3/06 6899 total posts
Name:
|
Re: BTDT Birthing Plan
honestly, most of the nurses i talked to would probably  if they saw a 4 page birth plan!
i think its a good idea to talk to your dh and your dr about how you'd like to handle things so they know your wishes regarding breathing/drugs etc.
But you should be very prepared for the fact that anything can happen when you go into labor, and if you get caught up in hoping for things to go a certain way or according to a plan, all you're going to do is cause yourself (and others) unnecessary stress!
|
| Posted 6/26/12 3:11 PM |
| |
|
PrettyPeonies
GAW my baby boy <3
Member since 8/10 3874 total posts
Name:
Pino
|
Re: BTDT Birthing Plan
ok, sounds good ladies! Thanks!!!!!
|
| Posted 6/26/12 3:16 PM |
| |
|
NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
|
Re: BTDT Birthing Plan
Posted by bettybcafe
If you are laid back about things then why have one? I was the same as you, kind of go with the flow kind of thing so I didnt even bother with a birth plan. I just told them what I wanted as things progressed..honestly, the only thing I was certain on was that I wanted an epi.
This was me..
I was never one for plans- even at work I don't really plan anything- I just kind of fly by the seat of my pants.
What on earth could you write in 4 pages? I actually want to see that 4 page plan you saw- because I can't imagine what would be in it for 4 pages worth? 
All I knew was this. I wanted an epi. As soon as possible.
I wanted to feel as little pain as possible.
I wanted the baby out as fast as possible.
Period the end.
|
| Posted 6/26/12 3:23 PM |
| |
|
alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
|
BTDT Birthing Plan
I never even considered having one. I don't think they are worth it because so much can change by the minute so why bother. You really have to be open during birth. Not saying if you want to go without drugs you should give that up but saying a plan keeps you rigid about thing.
I went into it with the mind set as whatever happens happens. My Dr talked to be about the chance of a section due to my clotting issues and I said as long as DS and I are safe then I am leaving the rest up to you. ANd let me tell you because of that my labor was pretty uneventful. I pushed for 2 hrs and DS was being stubborn so I ended up with a section and was happy with the process.
|
| Posted 6/26/12 3:39 PM |
| |
|
nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
|
Re: BTDT Birthing Plan
Plans are plans.
I never had a plan written out. Yes... people do
at plans.
I hoped for a vaginal delivery... but the idea of plan went out the window when I had a fever, meconium in my amniotic fluid and my kid's heart rate was high. As the NICU doctor was standing with her tools, ready to put a breathing tube in my previously perfectly healthy baby... the whole idea of plan is laughable.
Everything did go well. No tube... even got the vaginal delivery... but it wasn't UP TO ME: My OB made all the right calls. You have to choose someone who you trust & trust the person you choose.
Message edited 6/26/2012 3:44:22 PM.
|
| Posted 6/26/12 3:43 PM |
| |
|
PrettyPeonies
GAW my baby boy <3
Member since 8/10 3874 total posts
Name:
Pino
|
Re: BTDT Birthing Plan
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by bettybcafe
If you are laid back about things then why have one? I was the same as you, kind of go with the flow kind of thing so I didnt even bother with a birth plan. I just told them what I wanted as things progressed..honestly, the only thing I was certain on was that I wanted an epi.
This was me..
I was never one for plans- even at work I don't really plan anything- I just kind of fly by the seat of my pants.
What on earth could you write in 4 pages? I actually want to see that 4 page plan you saw- because I can't imagine what would be in it for 4 pages worth?
All I knew was this. I wanted an epi. As soon as possible.
I wanted to feel as little pain as possible.
I wanted the baby out as fast as possible.
Period the end.
4 pg Birth Plan oh wait I now see its 4 different formats of the same birth plan.
Message edited 6/26/2012 3:46:45 PM.
|
| Posted 6/26/12 3:45 PM |
| |
|
NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
|
Re: BTDT Birthing Plan
Posted by MrsJFG
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by bettybcafe
If you are laid back about things then why have one? I was the same as you, kind of go with the flow kind of thing so I didnt even bother with a birth plan. I just told them what I wanted as things progressed..honestly, the only thing I was certain on was that I wanted an epi.
This was me..
I was never one for plans- even at work I don't really plan anything- I just kind of fly by the seat of my pants.
What on earth could you write in 4 pages? I actually want to see that 4 page plan you saw- because I can't imagine what would be in it for 4 pages worth?
All I knew was this. I wanted an epi. As soon as possible.
I wanted to feel as little pain as possible.
I wanted the baby out as fast as possible.
Period the end.
4 pg Birth Plan oh wait I now see its 4 different formats of the same birth plan.
I never saw one.
Interesting.
So what do you do- go to the hospital with this in hand and hand it to the Dr?
The nurse?
I can't imagine what my Dr would have said if I gave him that.
He's a very laid back, go with the flow kind of guy.
And the nurse I had was like a drill sergeant...she probably would have laughed at me.
|
| Posted 6/26/12 3:52 PM |
| |
|
neener1211
:-)
Member since 4/07 22952 total posts
Name:
J
|
Re: BTDT Birthing Plan
I don't mean to offend, but that birthing plan stresses me out just reading it!
|
| Posted 6/26/12 4:04 PM |
| |
|
MySunshine
In love with my Baby Boy
Member since 3/11 2783 total posts
Name:
|
Re: BTDT Birthing Plan
I wouldn't do one. When I went in all the nurses were 'ing at the birth plans. I had a totally normal pregnancy (textbook) and then at the last minute had to be induced due to pre-e which ended up in a section. I thought that I was going to have the regular vag birth in and out and boy was I wrong. Had I written a birth plan it would have been out the window on the way to the hospital
|
| Posted 6/26/12 4:10 PM |
| |
|
Pomegranate5
LIF Adult
Member since 2/11 4798 total posts
Name:
Pomegranate5
|
Re: BTDT Birthing Plan
DH and I discussed our "hope" for the birth. We both knew what our goal was (as few medical interventions as possible). We educated ourselves on different possibilities and scenarios and how we might handle them. Anything more specific than that would be pointless, at least in my case.
|
| Posted 6/26/12 4:12 PM |
| |
|
Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
Name:
Katherine
|
BTDT Birthing Plan
Some of the "wishes" on the sample made me LOL--"would like to avoid excessive shaving of pubic hair"
I wonder if her DH crossed that off when she wasn't looking!!!!!
|
| Posted 6/26/12 4:24 PM |
| |
|
NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
|
Re: BTDT Birthing Plan
Posted by Katareen
Some of the "wishes" on the sample made me LOL--"would like to avoid excessive shaving of pubic hair"
I wonder if her DH crossed that off when she wasn't looking!!!!!
LMFAO
I can't.
Like at that point- with all that is going on- you are worried about your trim?
Really?
Come on now.
When I was in the throws of pushing they could have given me a freaking Brazilan and I woudln't have given a shyt.
|
| Posted 6/26/12 4:31 PM |
| |
|
PrettyPeonies
GAW my baby boy <3
Member since 8/10 3874 total posts
Name:
Pino
|
BTDT Birthing Plan
HAHAHAHAH thanks ladies, I def how silly some of this stuff is. The RN who gave us the tour at Good Sam and taught the Childhood Care Class advised us that the Birth Plan should be done and a copy given to my Dr & the nursing staff. I'm actually glad all of you think its silly stuff b/c I would hate to make the staff feel like I am telling them how to do their jobs. I guess DH & I will just go over the basic stuff and let the ball roll from there. Ok, now I can focus on my hospital bag.
|
| Posted 6/26/12 4:57 PM |
| |
|
Otherme
Square head cutie pants
Member since 3/06 6899 total posts
Name:
|
Re: BTDT Birthing Plan
Posted by MrsJFG
HAHAHAHAH thanks ladies, I def how silly some of this stuff is. The RN who gave us the tour at Good Sam and taught the Childhood Care Class advised us that the Birth Plan should be done and a copy given to my Dr & the nursing staff. I'm actually glad all of you think its silly stuff b/c I would hate to make the staff feel like I am telling them how to do their jobs. I guess DH & I will just go over the basic stuff and let the ball roll from there. Ok, now I can focus on my hospital bag.
don't worry, it's easy to get caught up in it all!!
you said you were laid back, and i think that's the best thing you can be in this situation. Just go with the flow!
|
| Posted 6/26/12 5:16 PM |
| |
|
alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
|
Re: BTDT Birthing Plan
Posted by MrsJFG
HAHAHAHAH thanks ladies, I def how silly some of this stuff is. The RN who gave us the tour at Good Sam and taught the Childhood Care Class advised us that the Birth Plan should be done and a copy given to my Dr & the nursing staff. I'm actually glad all of you think its silly stuff b/c I would hate to make the staff feel like I am telling them how to do their jobs. I guess DH & I will just go over the basic stuff and let the ball roll from there. Ok, now I can focus on my hospital bag.
The nurses I had in L &D at good sam were great!!!! You also see Dr A right? Just tel him what you want and he will try to do it. He said I might have a section but he also gave me time to really try for the vaginal. You are in great hands with him!!!!!!!!! He will do what you want unless there is a danger to you or the baby>
|
| Posted 6/26/12 6:29 PM |
| |
|
TheDivineMrsM
2 girls 4 me!
Member since 8/08 7878 total posts
Name:
Mama mama mama....
|
Re: BTDT Birthing Plan
Call it something else besides b/c frankly, it's hard to plan a birth. I called mine a "wish list." Keep it short and simple (and keep in mind it can all go out the window in a heartbeat). 4 pages IMO is ridiculous. Just start to think about what's important to you and DISCUSS IT WITH YOUR DOCTOR in advance!
Is intermittent monitoring an option or do you have to have the constant electronic monitor? Intermittent monitoring gives you freedom to move during contractions.
Can you get a hep lock instead of an IV? IV poles make movement difficult.
Can you drink/eat during labor? What foods are "permitted?" Many hospitals forbid food once you walk in the door, and some won't let you have anything more than ice chips. My practitioner and hospital "let" me drink clear liquids, but food was a no-no.
Do you think you'll try for a natural birth? You'll want to note that b/c the anesthesiologist at the hospital where I had DD was kind of like a drug dealer, lol. I had to kick him out.
Do you want to BF? If so, immediate skin-to-skin and BFing within the first hour are a good idea.
Message edited 6/26/2012 7:07:47 PM.
|
| Posted 6/26/12 7:04 PM |
| |
|
