Birthing plan

Following

You can print one out from the NHS website. It’ll go through it step by step. My midwife then ran through one around 36 weeks which she logged online so they knew what I wanted.

I didn't do one, and just went with the flow of what happened on the day.

I didn’t do one either, just went with it. Remember even if you do have one it doesn’t always work out the way you wanted it to. Don’t stress yourself too much, it’s ok to not know what you want as you’ll probably have a better idea of what you want once you’re in labour❤️

I found it helpful as i am preparing for my first, allows me to see different decision points i may be faced with and do some research before hand on the benefits and risks. For example delay cord cutting, if the baby is premature i might want to consider it based on the information i read. I prefer to get multiple data sources and form my own opinion vs relying on making a spur of the moment decision with more limited info

It’s all subjective anyway and ultimately depending how your Labour is and how you want things to be determines what you’d want/have BUT I think writing something down is worthwhile, even if it’s not strictly about how you deliver baby. For instance… first time I didn’t know what I was having so I wrote down for only dad to tell me the gender of the baby which was really nice or skin to skin following the birth. Personally I like the more calmer environment with dimmed lighting, Labour in the pool if possible etc but again, all this could go out the window subject to what happens. Have a look online and something may stand out to you how in an ideal world, you’d like your baby to arrive x

Honestly I just went with the flow! Birthing plans rarely go ahead

My midwife has spoken to me about my birth plan, but to be honest I’m not really fussed about having one. I’m quite happy to go with the flow, but I have said that my ideal ‘plan’ would be a water birth! Maybe speak to the consultant tomorrow and see what they say?xx

I’m not doing a birth plan as such as anything can happen ! but more preference on how I want the atmosphere to be or that I’d like less examinations if possible etc hope that helps x

I think the best way to prepare is to learn about all the options and think about what you want What medication is available. What are the side effects. There's a few types of c section There's water birth etc I think if you learn about everything then you understand your options and won't be as stressed if your "plan" doesn't go to plan Read the book how to make your birth better

If I were you I’d just look up different scenarios so you have an idea of what you’re ant and what you would do if different things happen. Midwife will go through with yous dm your likely have more appointments now closer together at the end xx

I didn’t have a birth plan for a while but my midwife recommended I read Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better by Siobhan Miller. The book gave several suggestions on coping mechanisms and some strategies. It’s filled with positive birth stories and even if complications/unexpected situations happen how to navigate around them. It helped me make a birth plan to give me control how I wanted to give birth. There are also videos on YouTube on some of the topics covered in the book to give you an idea of what it’s like. I did have a good birthing experience with a water birth.

I did a birth plan/birth preferences based around a water birth. Ended up having an epidural and ventouse on a bed so didn’t go to “plan” at all! I would however HIGHLY SUGGEST a hypnobirthing course as they lot only go through how to create your birth preferences but also let you know great ways to deal with situations you may go through and your rights during the process (I.e what you can say no to) this really helped me feel confident to make the best decisions for me and baby when the time came

Theres alot of apps that help ! I had one that asked alot of questions and out it into a file you could print out but then ended up having an emergency c section so that went out the window 😂

my hospital had a sheet I could print out, but honestly my hospital asked me all the questions anyway so they probably looked over my sheet I brought but didn’t really need it. I also didn’t have much preference, I also didn’t go to birthing classes or anything.

My plan was no meds everything else didn’t matter.

I didn’t have one. But I would suggest taking a class if you can. It’s good to know what to expect, and what your options are.

I think it’s more so they have some idea of your thoughts and feelings before the moment of the birth takes over. if u want a water birth, what kind of pain relief ect

You don't have to have a drawn out birth plan. But it is a good idea to know a few things. Are you ok with the different ways to get the baby out (induction, c-section, assisted with forecasts or vacuum), pro or con episiotomy, and what kind of painkillers are you cool with or expect. If you don't know the answer to some of these then I suggest a bit of research and to ask questions in that appointment. Everything else is not as crucial to know. If you really don't care and are happy to just go with whatever they suggest then that is a legit birth plan. You can go with that.

I don’t currently have one, but I am going to a birthing intensive, and am getting a doula. So I hope to have some idea between the two of them. It seems like it’s best to be prepared for natural birth in case it happens, and to listen to your body, if possible. I’ll also have my partner in the room with me :)

My midwife told me not to have a birth plan, and that the best thing to do was to educate yourself on all the different things that can happen during labour and all the different options available. Then when you are in it you can make educated decisions and feel comfortable with what’s happening.

My midwife also told me not to bother, she advised to understand my options and pain relief options etc which can all be found on the NHS website. I was walking in to the hospital as I needed induced early and said to the midwife that I hadn’t filled my birth plan out yet, she said don’t worry about it as they ask you everything anyway and plans usually don’t go to plan.

I think how to start is think of how you handle pain like a wasp bite or ant bite something that gets worse over time think about that and then ask your midwife what is first level of pain relief and second ect and then plan worst case scenario you’re in so much pain what can you have also if you are allergic to anything like morphine ect they will rule out some pain relief you deny have also if you are dilating fast some are ruled out too so it doesn’t always go to plan the first time. Do you like hot showers does it help your pain at night after a long day you might want a bath or if your water breaks you will need to change that to a shower. Ect

If you go on google, they have birth plan programs that will help you fill in the blanks and tell you what needs to be on there!! It was super helpful for me because I was in this situation this week! It was done in like 15 mins! Super super easy!

I didn’t have one with my son I went into labour with him at 36 weeks and I just went with it. And I’m 20 weeks pregnant with my second baby who is a girl and I won’t have one this time because I could go at 36 weeks again.

Thanks everyone. All sorted now & already been reminded how nothing goes to plan.. wanted the birthing centre but can’t, has to be labour ward 🤣😂 xx