I have a Birth Plan ????

Is it 100% necessary to have one??? Did everyone or DOES everyone have one???

I've found that i live life kinda pessimisticly....so i tend to plan for the worst and get surprised by the best (for me - it's just easier than constant let down, as i have ZERO luck).

So - my worry would be that i'd have this dramatic plan and on the day of - it'd all go to heck...

I am normally a HUGE planner, however, for some reason, with this pregnancy, i've adapted more of a 'whatever happens happens' attitude...and i'm okay with that....

Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

My plan is whatever is BEST for the baby and myself. I would LIKE for it to be vaginal, but if the Dr. thinks the best route is C/S then so be it.

Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

I have one, but am fully understanding of the fact that just because I have one, doesn't mean that is what will happen. In the end, the baby decides. But, I think it's important for at least you and your DH and your OB to be on the same page as far as your wishes regarding meds, delivery, worst case scenarios, etc. For instance, I "plan" to have a vaginal birth, witholding meds for as long as possible with the hopes of none at all. I don't want to get a shot of anything as soon as I walk in the door. So DH is clear that these are my wishes should I for whatever reason not be able to speak for myself. We also have a clear understanding of what we want done with the baby after he is born.....thing like that.

I do know though that as far as delivery goes, it could all go out the window if is having issues during delivery. His health and safety are obviously most important and if comes to a pass where my birth plan is not an option anymore, we will tackle each scenario as it happens, but DH knows how I/we feel (again should I not be able to speak for myself) regarding various situations.

So long story short, is it necessary? Absoluately not. But I do think it would be helpful to both of you and your OB to know where you both stand on varying situations so you're armed with the most information you can be during delivery and know the choices you'd "ideally" like to make.

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I did not have one. I think if you have SPECIFIC requests (no epi, being able to labor in whatever position is most comfortable, no monitors on baby, etc), then you should have a birth plan

Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

My plan as of right now is a vaginal birth, no meds. I want to be told when the last possible chance is for me to have an epi so I can decide if I can handle the pain. Hopefully- no meds, though. I think I will just make sure DH and my OB are aware, but I won't have anything in writing because things change.

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my plan=lots of drugs!

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My "plan" is to give birth vaginally with drugs.

If the baby is at risk and I need a c-section than so be it.

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so i guess it's okay then to just have an idea of what you like, let the doc know ahead of time and 'see what happens'...

i already know myself and i will need drugs, preferably a home kit will be good, the minute i feel the first contraction...Dave can inject my spine, no?

as always, thank you girls!!!

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My 'plan' is to go in there completey open minded w/ the understanding that I can not POSSIBLY know what I am going to 'want' b/c I have NEVER experienced anything like this before .......

So, I'm going in there hoping to deliver vaginally ......and I'll see if I 'need' the drugs ........that's as far as my 'plan' goes. -

Other than that, honestly, it's all up to my Dr. b/c if HE tells me we need to do A B or C, I'm NOT going to argue w/ him and insist my PLAN was to do 1 2 and 3 ........

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I kinda do but don't have one. I don't have all the details methodically planned out like my friends have. My plan is basically: go into labor, go to the hospital, let the nurses/doctors do their job, get an epidural and take things as they come. I would prefer a vaginal delivery but it the best option is a C/S then I will do what is best for the baby.

Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

I didn't have a plan - and you know what - coming from a major control freak, this is one of the things that you truly have no control over at the end of the day.

I thought I was going to go early bc I was so big. He measured two weeks ahead of schedule.

I was induced two weeks late. Didn't dialate at all and ended up with a c-section. At that point I could have cared less. I wanted him safe and sound in my arms.

You have to do whatever it is you are comfortable with - but if you know things can change at any given moment - and are ok and open to that - you'll be just fine!

Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

I didnt have one, I was open to whatever needed to be done. I think a birth plan is most important if you dont want any medication or avoid a c/s unless totally necessary. This way your feelings are known to all and in the heat of the moment you dont just agree to a birth experience you didnt want.

I am not sure but thats my take

Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

Honestly normally I am a huge planner but I chose the hospital I'm delivering at b.c I trust the group and my OB. Yes I wanted to deliver vaginally but I felt that I also wanted to see how things went and I felt if I had a birth plan I would want to follow it and life doesn't always go so simply. So I wanted to just trust my OBs judgement.

If you feel strongly about certain things you could do one - but a lot of people don't do them. You have time to think about it and see if you have strong feelings one way or another

Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

I think it's a good idea to have one as long as you understand it's limitations. I think it helps you to start thinking about things like if and when you would like pain medication, what type of medication you would like, how much mobility you would like during labor, etc.

But you have to understand that your practioner has to support your choices. If you say you want intermittent monitoring and your doc wants continuous monitoring, you're in for trouble. It's better to get those details hammered out during your appointments than while you're in labor.

I actually like to refer to birth plans as birth preferences. I think it helps keep your expectations reasonable because you don't know how labor is going to progress.

Message edited 1/12/2009 12:33:18 PM.

Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

TTC'er crashing. Because of my medical issues, we have a birth plan.

Scheduled C with general anesthesia

I cannot get an epi because of my spinal issues and a vaginal birth in any form would put too much stress on my joints.

It makes me sad, but happy to know that when it is my time, my OB has a plan for a healthy baby!

Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

for my first pregnancy i had no plan. i figured how could i, when i had no idea what to expect?

about 3 hours into labor i had already dilated to 8cm, and it became clear that i was going to want DRUGS!! so i got the epi.

everything looked great for a vaginal delivery, except at one point baby's heart slowed down and it looked like it might be an emergency c-section - which, of course, i would have accepted with no questions. luckily for me, the heart rate normalized and i delivered vaginally.

so this time, i don't have a "plan" per say, but i do have preferences... namely, give me the epi ASAP, and let me labor and have a vaginal delivery unless a c-section is absolutely necessary.

Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

i don't have one either and I feel okay with that. i would rather put it in the doctor's hands than my own. what the hell do i know? i do know that i would like to try a vaginal delivery with minimal meds. and see how that goes. anything can happen and I am prepared to go with the doctor's expertise when and if needed.

Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

I will probably make a simple birth plan outlining things I feel strongly about or strongly against. Someome also recommended to me that you have a plan about breastfeeding and let your wishes be known (e.g., BF on demand, bottle feed at night, baby sleeps in room/nursery, etc.).

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Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

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Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

Posted by pandaworm

Posted by Lizzy

Posted by babyfaith

I will probably make a simple birth plan outlining things I feel strongly about or strongly against. Someome also recommended to me that you have a plan about breastfeeding and let your wishes be known (e.g., BF on demand, bottle feed at night, baby sleeps in room/nursery, etc.).

Who do we tell these plans to? The nurses when we get there? I have strong feelings about wanting to BF and I just want to make sure they don't bottle feed her by mistake.

i'm planning on giving mine to and discussing it with my midwife practice in my 30-something week so we can be on the same page and they can keep it in my file. i'll probably also (if i remember) keep a copy in my hospital bag just in case - at the least i'll bring the instructions for after he/she is born.

Re: I have a Birth Plan ????

i do not understand a birth plan at all. it would be nice to plan on how things are going to turn out but it never ever happens that way.. I've had 3 kids and each time it was different.. i work as a nurse for years now in the NICU.. we attend many many deliveries and they are all different.
I don't mean to be discouraging at all.. i just don't understand them. if you don't want drugs just decline them. tell the nurses what you want.. if we can accomodate you we certainly will!