Birth Plan

OK, with DD i didn't really use a birth plan it was just a go with the flow! But this time i have read alot more been gettin so more more informed and witty thanks to you guys and really would like to do up a birth plan...

Thing is i don't know where to start or what to write...
What do you put in the birth plan?
Will being a public patient interferr with me having the birth the way i want...

PLease help!

Go to the main BB site and you will find a template - gives you a good place to start, think under preg tools? There is also a thread where people post their plans for help and thoughts, have a look at that - under labour and birth too.

I was public with all my bubs - my last birth I got the exact birth I was dreaming of - but I think it really depends on the midwives you get on the day and the Ob on duty. Lucky for me an Ob came on who trusted me (I think cos it was my third baby he acknowledged I had a bit of an idea of what I was doing and what I would be in for :rolleyes:).
The midwives totally respected me and never interfered or got in the way. I also had a doula this time around which for my DH and I was invaluable!

Good luck

If you are still stuck I am happy to PM you mine - just PM if you want it :)

here is the sticky thread where some birth plans are posted. Many (mine inc) are based on the template on the main site.

I just asked for the really important things to be written on my yellow card. That did the trick for me :D

When I did mine I called it my 'Birth Intentions' as for me a plan is such a definite thing and I wanted to be flexible with what was available to me at the time. I began by just writing down in point form everything I knew I didn't want. This helped me to work out what was important to me and what I was happy to negotiate at the time. I should point out though that for me nothings in my intentions went the way I had hoped, next time I won't bother.

didn't have a birth plan and think it was better that way as i didn't expect anything then and wasn't let down if it didn't happen ;)
everyone is different though

It depends on the purpose of your birth preferences.
I dont see everything on my list as an expectation, though some are and I see no reason I cant have them regardless of the birth I have.
it needs to be flexible, and adaptable to diffrernt scenarios that may arise

I agree with queenbee.....don't expect anything and you won't be let down!!
You have done this before so just trust your body and go with what it tells you!!!
I guess the only thing I did know was that I didn't want any drugs but I was open to the idea if they were needed I would consider it.....By the way it was a drug free birth!!!!

hey thanks ladies...

I'm not going to be expecting much... I know everything labour is different and can turn out differently but i want to have a guideline of things that i want to be followed But it will also be stated that if at ANY point my baby is in danger or distress then they do what every they have to...

a couple of things i want is

My labour NOT to be argumented
dont cut the cord till it stops pulstaing
mo medical intervention (weighing bathing etc) for an hour after birth let me an DP bond with baby and also do first feed
No drugs, if i am asking for them i would like the midwifes and dp and BFF to be supportive of my choice and give me different options
i would like the freedom to move around and use shower, bath, walking trying different poisitons
I would like DP to be helping down there to bring bubs up to my chest...

And there is quite a few more :) but its first thing in the morning and i can't think...

Cass, why not cut the cord until it stops pulsating? Just interested that is all, didn't even think anything of this for my DD. good luck with everything :D

Leaving the cord until it stops pulsating means the baby gets more blood from the placenta, as their not disconnected from it as early IYKWIM?

Cass - the things on your list are all faily standard.

For many people, (assuming they are in hospital here) depending on your hospital and the birth support you have it comes down to whether the hospital decides somethig is medically necessary. Sometimes they obviously are but others deend on the dr you are see - I know of one person whose OB augments thier labour after 2-3 hours cos "I dont have all day you know, who knows how long your labour will last"

I am confused. Aren't they getting the blood from the placenta for 9 whole months anyway? What is a difference of longer going to make? I am so enquisitive aren't I? Just interested to know. Thanks!

Queenbee, leaving the cord to stop pulsating means that the baby recieves more oxygen if there are any breathing complications, it also means that they get a higher iron store, because the cord blood is very iron rich. There is an article on the main website about Delayed cord clamping, under labour and birth articles.
In my opinion there is no other way to do it.

have a look at this article

This ones on BB but if you google 'delaying cord cutting' or 'delaying cord clamping' you will see a lot of information is avaiable out there.

HTH

thanks girls i will have a read!

Just verbally talk to your caregiver about it and make sure your DH and other birth support people are told as well.

I never bothered with birth plans for either of my kids, nor this baby, as verbally telling people was enough for me. Obviously this time its a birth centre birth so everything I would put on a plan is implemented and asked anyway :)

Not that i need to justify my self but i feel that i do!

I am writing a birth plan/prefrences for my own peice of mine! becuase i am young I don't want some snotty nurse (sorry) comming in to MY birth telling me how to do it!!! this way I can chuck my plan at her, letting her know that i have done the research and this is the way I WANT to do it...

I dont think i have to justify it too all the girls that didn't write a birth plan... I didn't ask weather i should or not... I asked how to write them

Good on you for having a birth plan/birth intentions done up Cass :hug: I've done mine up and I feel so good having it typed up on paper. I can read over it and know this is what I am aiming for however it's flexible and I'm aware anything can happen in labour/birth and some things we can't control so we can't get too focused on it to avoid disappointment however having goals and intentions is the best way i believe ;)

I used the Birth plan template off this website also! And adjusted it to suit me and DH!

Good luck hun!

ps I want to wait til cord stops pulsating too!

good on you Cass! yes how interesting about the cord pulsating, i honestly never knew about that! i had a good read up on it. maybe i was a bit misty with my first but i will go on having a second and will also write down some goals/intentions. what a great thread!! good luck with everything Cass and enjoy your new little one xxoo

I think its great that you want a birth plan Cass. I hope I havent come across any other way, it wasnt my intention at all.

One of the best reasons for writing one is the amount of things you learn that you may not have known about before. Especially by looking at other peoples, like queenbee, and asking questions - why would you do XYZ? Then following it up with some research.

I know my birth plan this time is quite different to the one I had with DS becuase of this.

yes i never knew about the cord pulsating thing, DUH DUH but now i do!

Thank you renstar, queenbee and rayray (no ray ray you didn't)