What did you change from one birth plan to the next?

[luna moth]

I love thinking about this. For me, I had a fairly predictable birth plan for the average BB user. It worked really well for me, and I had a great birth.

This time I have a different midwife, who I click with even more than the last (who I was madly in love with, for those who recall) and a support person I adore.

Not sure why I added that bit. Hmmmm.

Anyway, just interested in what you changed from one birth plan to the next. Or if there's anything you would change. And your experiences.

[Novella]

Not so much a part of a birth plan as I didn't have a written plan but a general idea of the less intervention the better which I discussed with my midwife before each birth (midwifery group practice)

But with dd3 I had a waterbirth which was wonderful in its self but I also used my hand to feel/control her head when she crowned and it was the most amazing feeling. I hadn't planned on it but was so glad I did it, wish I had done it with my other girls too.

I had IM synto after the first two births to deliver the placenta but didn't ith my third and the after pains were more bearable.

I also delcined hep b for dd2+3 which isnt really to do with birth but something I had considered before hand

For me it was no prophylactic antibiotics if baby came early as dd1 and 2 were born at 35 and 36 weeks but if bubs was earlie than 35 weeks or there was another indication then I would have agreed to antibiotics.

Due to my first two some of my birth plan or 'birth ideals' weren't possible but I still had great births. I actually don't like the term birth plan as I'm a control freak and if things don't go to plan then I feel like I have failed but if it's a birth preference or ideal and things have to change I can cope with it better lol, I'm a bit anal I think . For me the importance was on being flexible as things can change quickly, but also considering a number of scenarios and what my preferences were.

[Jellyfish]

My partner haha

[Bloom]

Interesting question Audax!

Birth plan for DS1 was the "normal" BB stuff: no drugs, no interventions unless all options explore and I was booked in with the birth centre. DS1 was a good birth - though had an vacuum as he was posterior with his hand up beside his face. Not a lot changed in the birth plan between DS1 and DS2, except for a few tweaks. I came to know what I liked and didn't like in labour and so was able to add that to the birth plan.

Changes to birth plan between DS1 and DS2:
- no canula unless it is an actual emergency (they put a "just in case" canula in and said they needed to give me fluids - but I would have preferred to have been told to have a drink!)
- more direction from the midwives in suggesting positioning and breathing
- no ARM (my one regret from DS1's birth is that our lovely pro natural birth centre MW suggested and did an ARM when I was fully dilated and I think I trusted her judgement a little too much and she did it but DS1 was still posterior and then couldn't turn)

Also, I had a lot of discussions with DH (who was a great support person) about minor things I wanted him to do as I might not remember:
- making sure I had lots to drink
- talking for me (i don't like to talk when sick or in pain)
- ensuring he understand how VITAL it was that I have the TENS machine on - I got very cranky when he didn't get it on fast enough when i said I wanted it.
- of course knowing the birth plan and being ready to stick up for me

[AngelPants]

The only things I have changed were things that were because of my previous experience: No assumed consent, and things that will support the scartissue from last birth and subsequent surgery.

sent from my watzamajig so may not make sense....

[Heaven]

I added- no VE's, no routine cannula, no time limits, no ARM unless it's an emergency, no continuous monitoring. I was having a VBAC though so it was expected I would have all those things and I had to make it clear I was not.

[onthefly]

I didn't write one second time, I just made sure I had midwives who actually knew me and what I wanted and who I trusted.

[Sunny Love]

Easy.

No epidural, whether I beg/scream/threaten assault for it. No epidural.
No episiotomy, unless I say so.

[HotI]

i was wanting the same things 2nd time around, i just chose the right support people who would help me get them.

[Jennifer13]

Next birth plan will be the same (it's mostly for in case of transfer) but I'm going to add some post-birth stuff, especially about the check for tears. I may even refuse that if I feel like I did this time, since I had no tearing.

I'll also put something in about expected speed of active labour.

[Sagres]

I didn't have anything I would call a plan, but I did have brief notes about stuff like I wanted to exhaust each pain relief option before trying the next, wanting to get in the bath, DH announcing the gender etc. that kind of stuff. A lot of the stuff I see in birth plans about skin-on-skin asap, BFing asap, and those types of things are just standard procedure with the midwives at my hospital so no need to document that. Like LuluHB says my ob and I had discussions about my hopes for the birth and she got where I was coming from and I trusted that would continue in the delivery room (and it did).

Second time around it was very much the same with a couple exceptions - saying no labouring on my back (pushing on my back fine, labour HELL no) and mostly just a few cautionary notes about the labour being quick and the midwives needing to be ready for a quickie - us being caught of guard with the pace of things first time around caused us some issues.

So pretty similar ideas going in, pretty different outcomes but that's babies for you!

[luna moth]

This is brilliant. Thanks everyone.

I'm pretty sure, then, that I can go in the same as I did last time. I didn't want to blindly do so just because it worked last time, but I think I have all bases covered. Including support personas, which is a really good point.

[HotI]

You will have your DD to plan for too this time, where will she go and when, when and how will she meet the new little person, do you have extra support in the early days for you as a family (either care for your daughter or help with meals etc so you can spend time with both kids). I found the freezer was my friend even more 2nd time around.

[kateo]

I wanted things to be almost totally different 2nd time around.
First time I actively avoided induction (This was very stupid), 2nd time lined up for induction 2 weeks early.
1st time tried to labour without gas or drugsbut ended up using them, 2nd time was willing to use gas but no other drugs.
1st time asked for a CS but ended up with an induction VB. 2nd time didn't want CS but ended up with one because the induction didn't work out.
I was supposed to hve skin on skin 2nd time (this didn't happen 1st time) and it didn;t happen because of emergency CS and baby needing oxygen.
The outcome was totally different 2nd time, I got a breathing baby.

[luna moth]

You will have your DD to plan for too this time, where will she go and when, when and how will she meet the new little person, do you have extra support in the early days for you as a family (either care for your daughter or help with meals etc so you can spend time with both kids). I found the freezer was my friend even more 2nd time around.

Thanks, that's a good point. It's all covered as my mum will be here for the whole month of November, and, more importantly, my in-laws won't!

[~Hestia~]

The only thing I changed was in my first birth plan I asked to be left to labour on my own or something like that. This resulted in my midwife practically not speaking to me or offering any suggestions. So for my second I stated that I would like to be left but would appreciate any guidance etc if that makes sense Am happy to say it did the trick and I had a fantastic birth thanks to my midwife.

[BlackRose]

This time I asked for pethidine on arrival and gas/air available all the time (rather than right at the end -no one thought to offer it to me!!). I haven't specified 'no epidural' because I'm still open to it if things get too much but I've told hubs that I'd like to exhaust all other options.

I've requested that they rupture my sac earlier so that babies head descends onto the cervix hopefully helping labour along a little (waters weren't broken til I was 10cm and they were strong with DS).

Also, I have put in my birth plan that if I do need a CS that hubby doesn't want to come with me (it's the only thing he said he wouldn't be able to do) so If my mum isnt around as well I guess I'd have to go it alone. I don't want anyone pressuring him into coming into theatre when I know and respect the fact that he can't handle being there. So need to be upfront about it in the birth plan.

If bubs needs to be given supplemental formula for low glucose like DS was I've requested that I bf during the drip feeds rather than bubs be given it through a bottle so that there isn't any teat confusion.

Ummm I think that's about it!

[Jessiebean]

I had a "normal delivery" for son #1, shower and birth ball and tens for pain relief (I tried gas 10 minutes before crowning) syntocin for placenta delivery, vit K and hep B injections, bubs rooming in.

Son#2 Birth centre, understanding midwive planned for water birth but bubs came too soon so back in the shower, only one internal, managed 3rd stage- after cord stopped pulsing, oral Vit k and no Hep B injections

daughter #1 (due September) I am aiming for a water birth (or tens, activity, showers etc for pain relief) no internals, no interruptions, no injections ( no syntocin for me, Vit k or hep b for bubs) no oral Vit K, delayed cord clamping. DH has been briefed so he will be there to look after my interests and supports me fully!
Mind you all this may not be an issue- son #2 was born so fast I might not make to the hospital this time!

It's great reading other people's guidelines- we are all different!