Birth plans 📝

Nothing! Unless you have something set in stone (for me it was an epidural), dont need a birth plan. Just go with the flow so theres no disappointment cuz you can't control baby. Its their day and its unpredictable

Birth plans are a little bit overrated. I agree they set you up for disappointment. A better way to prep is to research what interventions are used when and to make a birth playlist in case you decide you want music in the moment.

Agree with the above. I didnt have one as I had a preterm birth, but I just went with the flow and took pain relief. Definitely do research, and ask questions to your health providers. And, what birth involves so you're not too shocked.

Agree with above, birth plan is overrated and honestly a set up for disappointment. Labor never goes how we envision it- open mind/go with the flow is the best plan.
Mine was "alive and healthy mom and baby"

I treated my plan like a wishlist based on what my hospital could accommodate.

For labor:
- delayed epidural so I could have some time for mobility help baby descend. Walking was helpful in the beginning
- once epidural was in I wanted to labor in different positions in bed (hospital did not have a walking epidural or nitrous oxide available)

Pushing I should have specified I wanted to utilize different positions, I forgot to bring it up before getting induced and the doctor was very pushy about keeping me on my back once time came and I was in too much pain to say anything🙄

I had 2 support people and in the case of c-section I specified I only wanted my partner in the room.

Immediate skin to skin with baby after birth so long as we were both stable and healthy

That was pretty much it. I also listened to music on my AirPods bc I needed something to break up my birth anxiety 🤣

I loved having a birth plan but keeping in mind that things happen and to stay flexible. I also treated it like a wishlist and thankfully we were able to follow it! I had listed my preferred forms of pain relief in order of preference, music and light preferences, keeping baby in room with us, medication preferences, and who could/couldn’t come in the room. I also listed preferences in case of a c-section, like who would come with me, music if possible, being able to lower the dividing curtain if wanting to, etc.

I think it’s helpful to know all your options and just note down what you’d like!

No epidural, but will take gas and air.
I want my water to break naturally unless baby is distressed.
I want to move around or use labor balls.
I want to touch their head as they crown.
NO EPISIOTOMY.
Delayed cord clamping.(already hospital policy)
Partner and I both cutting the cord.
Skin to skin/golden hour and feeding before weight check and testing. (Already hospital policy)
Baby rooming in and staying in room for all testing. (Already hospital policy)

Have you been able to tour the labor and delivery ward yet? It helped a lot in ways of setting expectations and knowing what they will honor on birth plans.