How to write your birth plan before going into the hospital.
A birth plan is a list of directions for what you wish to take place during labor, birth, and the delivery of your child. It is important that you let everyone know who is around you how you want to deliver your child. You should discuss the birth plan with your doctor around the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy. Therefore, your doctor will know your wishes as well. You might find it helpful to talk with your OB coordinator to see if your wishes can be carried out. Some hospitals are more flexible with patients' wishes than others.
The next step to preparing your birth plan is to determine where you want to deliver your child. Do you want to give birth in a hospital? Do you want to give birth at home? Do you want to be in a room by yourself? Do you want to give birth in water? Consider all these questions and discuss some wishes may not be possible. Then place this on your birth plan.
How do you want to deal with the pain? Do you want to be able to walk around during labor? Do you want to use anesthetic? What kind of anesthetic do you want to use? Do you plan to have a completely natural childbirth? Do you want to have an episiotomy? Again, discuss different types of anesthetics with your doctor and determine what is right for you.
Whom do you want in the delivery room? Do you want your partner to be with you or a parent or a coach? Do you want to be alone? Do you want the birth video taped? Check ahead of time, they determine the maximum amount of people allowed in the delivery room with you.
After you deliver, do you want to hold your child? Do you want pictures take immediately? Do you plan on nursing? Who will cut the cord?
In case of an emergency Cesarean Section, what do you want to do? Do you want someone with you in the room? What kind of anesthetic do you want? DO you want your family with you in the recovery room? You should discuss this with your doctor because every hospital has different positions on people who are not personnel in the recovery room.
Take notes of any additional items you want to occur during birth.
Now that you know what you want on your birth plan, here is how you can prepare it.
You should prepare the birth plan yourself. Avoid using formatted ones: they may not consider your individual needs.
At the beginning, describe the ideal condition you want to give birth in. Do you want to be surrounded by music? Let your imagination take over.
Make sure that the plan can be implemented. Don't put anything in your birth plan that can't realistically happen.
The shorter the better. The shorter your birth plan is, the more likely your instructions will be carried out. Details can get lost or be forgotten easily in a long plan. If necessary, prepare several different plans for different people (such as your family, your nurses, and your physician).
Be flexible with your birth plan. It will make you birth easier for you and your family.
