For some women writing a birth plan can seem overwhelming....yet for others, a birth plan is a piece of cake! Yet, still other moms prefer to have no birth plan and just "go with the flow".
I am one of the mothers who originally found writing a birth plan overwhelming. I really really want a natural birth, but in a hospital setting. Not to mention with food allergies, and many other considerations, I need a detailed birth plan.
My hubby, Dr., and the hospital would all tell you that my birth plan is extremely detailed. It's about 5 pages, and nicely laid out like an outline. In addition, I highlighted the most important parts, in case I run into a lazy nurse or a tired one.
We will be taking about 20 printed copies of the plan with us. One for every person who enters the room.
Some main points in my birth plan are:
- No visitors or hospital phone calls. No exceptions.
- Do not offer me pain medication. I will request it if I want it.
- Baby is to room in with me.
- All routine procedures are to be delayed until baby has breastfed and bonded.
- Baby is not to be given any pacifiers or sugar water.
- Cord is to stop pulsating before clamped.
- Skin to skin bonding time after baby is born.
- Baby is to be given a bath using our non-toxic bath products.
- Intermittant monitoring so I can have as much mobility as possible.
- I do not wish to be told when to push.
- I prefer not to be induced.
- Immunizations are to be postponed until a later time.
It may sound overboard to some, but my hubby and I really want our baby to have the best start at life possible.
So, how do you go about writing a birth plan?
Here's what worked for me...
I absolutely loved this website: http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/free-birth-plan
I used the link above to help me create my birth plan. I changed the wording as I wished, and also added in other preferences to the plan. I think that it is a great outline for creating an easy to read, yet detailed birth plan. It makes things quick and simple!
These are some other sites I also checked out while creating my birth plan:
Ultimately, I think it is important that you keep an open mind when creating your birth plan. It is also essential to communicate with your Dr. and to make sure that you go over your birth plan with your Dr. in advance.
I made sure that the hospital also had a copy of my birth plan when we took our hospital tour earlier on. This way they already have a copy in my file.
If you have already given birth, did you have a birth plan?
Why or why not?
I would love to hear from you.
♥
Lolli
*These are all personal opinions of the blogger from personal life experience and is not intended as advice of any kind.*
