Birth plans & drug-free birth - how much do you want it?

[angelfish]

This is a really interesting thread. Re birth plans, I think Kelly is right that it might be helpful for them to be more detailed and specific. You could even write down exactly what you want to happen if you change your mind, eg epi as soon as you request it, or alternatives such as wait until you have asked several times in half an hour, only after trying change of position, wait another 5 ctx and see whether you still feel you need it etc.

IMO one of the biggest problems is women getting confused between pain RELIEF and techniques for working with or coping with pain. If you have some aromatherapy and a CD of your favourite songs, and you expect that they will make the pain disappear, you are bound to be disappointed!

Personally, I thought that this was one of the best reasons to opt for a home birth. If I wanted an epi, I would have had to actually transfer to the hospital. Kind of like not filling your house with junk food when you're on a diet.

BTW, the most servere pain I ever experienced was my breast abscess. I found this much more painful than anything in labour. (Although this could be psychological?)