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Birth plans
Added: 87 days ago.
Added by: luvnthebelly
Section: Birth.
Status: This question is Closed. (Questions will be closed after 10 days.)


For those of you out there who have had children, or I guess anyone may know. How necessary is a birth plan? You hear so much hype about having a birth plan ready and in place, is it really that essential? If so any suggestions on how to write an effective one?

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MelissaJoanne - 82 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Figure out what is very important to you, such as knowing that you don't want any medication, or you know you'll want an epidural, or that you plan to breastfeed and would like to start immediately after birth. These are the things that you'll want to have in your plan, to ensure that the birth is how you'd like it to go.

joyfulnoise - 85 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Some people want an exact "plan." I think it puts pressure on one to follow through exactly with what has been planned and thus leaving room for disappointment if the "plan" could not be followed. For me, I like to listen to my body and do whatever feels right at the time.

lilbittymunchkin - 85 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) i went into labor at 27 weeks. i didnt have a clue what to do. but if you dont have a plan when you go into labor, everything will fall into place.

emo - 85 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Not necessary unless you're a planner. The water breaks, you go to the hospital! It's pretty much a no brainer. If you want an epideral, make sure you tell them right away so your window of opportunity doesn't close!

stephandisaac - 85 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I never had a birth plan. My only plan was to get to the hospital, get something for the pain and bring home a healthy baby :)

wildberry - 86 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) you don't need a birth plane unless you want certain things to happen like you don't want to be ask if you want an epidural etc. then its good to have one so you wishes are respected if your a go with the flow kind of woman then you don't need a plane

nathansmom - 86 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) No birth plan, we just went with the flow and relied on my body. The chances of things going as planned is pretty slim.

Christina1984 - 86 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) i had no plan! think its better so u dont dissapoint urself when things dont go by that plan. the baby is gonna come the way its gonna come and there could be problems and a c section could be needed

blessedmom - 86 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) It's not necesssary, but very helpful. It answer question for the nurses and doctors, so they dont have to ask them to you while you are ready to tear them a part because you are giving birth. I also help you take clear minded decision , not altered by labour pain. It also help the hospital respect the way you want your baby, partner , yourself to be treated or any special request you may have. To be honest, I did it with all my kids and it really helped. To right an effective one go on any good mom site they usually have a template that you can modifie to you need.And if you are not sure about certain things , talk to other mom, we will all be glad to try to help! Good Luck!

lmo - 86 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) i didnt have one and everything went great

niki - 86 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I knew what i wanted before i got to the delivery suite... i was getting induced so i had time to think things over i got gas and air - thought best for me and baby and i choose to bring a cd with me it did relax me also i used the birthing ball which i decided to use when i was getting contractions.... found getting my back rubbed worked wonders. Good luck x

*Babylicious* - 86 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Hi there! Having a birth paln is a complete waste of time!! I wrote on mine to have as natural birth as possible, no episiotomy, no pain relief - epidural, no caesarian e.t.c... And I ended up having to be started off by the hospital, having my waters broken, put on a drip to make contractions happen, having an epidural and having an emergency c-section. So my birth was the complete opposite of anything I'd put on my birth plan! It is a good idea to have a brief idea of the type of birth you want and what you want to happen, but you need to be ready to expect anything! Hope this helps!

michaela - 87 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) my birth plan was as much use as a chocolate teapot! it's only use was to scrunch it up and throw at my hubby, i think it is important to discuss with your birthing partner what you would like, what you definitely don't want and to keep an open mind about things, especially with your first since you really have no idea what to expect. good luck wit your labour xxx

holly28 - 87 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) When I asked my dr about birth plans he said there really isn't a point because so many things can come up that you can't plan for and it ends up being thrown out the window anyways. So for me, my birth plan is simple: GET THIS KID OUTTA ME AS SAFELY AND PAINLESSLY AS POSSIBLE.

riknlee - 87 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) some people really believe in a birth plan and try to stick to it no matter what the doc is saying. I think it is good to have an idea what you want but in the end the whole birthing process can be taken out of your hands very quickly and oblviously the most important thing is that baby and you are okay, so sometimes you have to go along. Each time i have been pregnant I have wanted a natual labour and birth -drug free. the first one I was induced had pre eclampsia and had an epidural, the second one was a long labour and i asked for an epidural and the last one I spent the labour in the bath until 10 min before her birth and stayed on only gas. i think it is important to know how you will manage pain too, ie positions etc. I am keen to know that, esp if i dont get to labour in the bath. Being in the bath and water birth is def in my birth plan = good luck with your pregnancy and birth. I also specified that i did not want to tear with my last two girls and was very adamant. I got my way on that one

Cindie - 87 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) it depends, I have a risky birth with a baby with Down Syndrome (and we're not sure if he has my skin problem) so Its VERY important to me, esp. if the baby has my rare skin disorder. Because the nurses won't be able to scrub him down and won't be able to put gause on his skin after it tears from birth. So its SUPER important to me. Get together with your doctor to write one out, be prepared to be flexible tho on the chance you need an emergency csection or decide you want drugs.

Mommyof2boys - 87 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I think its different for each woman, some women make a birthplan and go with it up until they pop and they are happy with the decision they made, if you stick with it I don't see any harm in having one but if you don't care for one then just go with the flow.

jessicadarling - 87 days ago Rating: 4 (1 votes) A birth plan was completely unnecessary for me. It is easy enough to plan what you want in your head but you don't know how you are going to react or how your labour is going to go until you are actually in the situation. Get a rough idea of what you would like and just remember that things can always change. The only thing I told my doctor was that there was NO FREAKING WAY i was going to stick my legs in their stirrups.

Melanie07 - 87 days ago Rating: 4 (1 votes) Towards the end of your pregnancy, the doc should go through the list of things with you. They usually ask who will be in the room with you. They should also ask your preferance of how you want to deliver. Also, if you want drugs and when. You should also give yourself the option to change your mind. You need to tell them who will make decisions if you are unable to. It is good to have. You do not want to have to be making decisions about things when you are in pain from labor.

klasnaya - 87 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I never had one but warned my doc not to cut me no matter what. I would rather tear. But other than that i dont see how a birth plan is essencial since so many things can go wrong or totaly diffrent than you expect!

Baby3OnWay - 87 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) The OB/GYN or Midwife you ahve usually go through a list of stuff, paper work and all that needed BEFORE you go into labor. Here in ON they do it at about 32 weeks or so, then book tours of the hospital as well. It makes the registration into the hospital when you are in labor so much easier, AND makes it better for the Drs to know ahead of time because while your breathing through contractions you don't want to be answering a million and one questions! Just ask if your Dr's will be going through that with you before hand and if they have a checklist you can go through and fill out at home and take in to your next appointment. REMEMBER TOO that is not written in stone so you can always change your mind if you do not or do need drugs ETC... take care, hope this helps

Brandi J. - 87 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) A birth plan is a way for you to let your doctor what you would like to happen before, during and after labor. I have done one for my last 2 children, however, I do warn you, some doctors will still do what they want to do. But if you have something specific that you would like to have done, then make it, and give it to him, just don't be surprised if your birth plan is not followed. Also, sometimes for the docs who do try to follow, if somethi

Brandi J. - 87 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) A birth plan is a way for you to let your doctor what you would like to happen before, during and after labor. I have done one for my last 2 children, however, I do warn you, some doctors will still do what they want to do. But if you have something specific that you would like to have done, then make it, and give it to him, just don't be surprised if your birth plan is not followed. Also, sometimes for the docs who do try to follow, if somethi

Brandi J. - 87 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) A birth plan is a way for you to let your doctor what you would like to happen before, during and after labor. I have done one for my last 2 children, however, I do warn you, some doctors will still do what they want to do. But if you have something specific that you would like to have done, then make it, and give it to him, just don't be surprised if your birth plan is not followed. Also, sometimes for the docs who do try to follow, if something needs to be changed in an emergency then they have to do that.

gr8scottswife - 87 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I've heard that it is not helpful and that hospital nurses are going to do what they want to do.

ashleyandcaleb - 87 days ago Rating: 3 (1 votes) i think it'll be good to have so that your birth will possibly go how you imagined it would

mommy-of-3 - 87 days ago Rating: 5 (2 votes) You're birth plan isn't anything too technical, it is just like it sounds "a plan". Basically it boils down to deciding if you want to try a natural birth or do you know you want medication. If you decide you want medication what kind were you thinking (do you want the spinal tap, the i.v., etc.) Maybe you were thinking of a water birth? Who do you want with you, do you have a coach and if so what methods were you thinking of using to soothe labor pains? Are you having a boy? You will need to let the doctor know whether or not you want him circumcised. That's the kind of thing that a birth plan is made up of.