Birth plan

look for some templates online! there are lots, and here in the UK our hospital shared an NHS one with us. it partially depends on which country you're in but common things include pain relief options, how to give birth (home/water/etc), how active you want to be during labour, who you want in the room with you, umbilical cord clamping, skin to skin, when the baby gets bathed, and vitamin k shots. it can be useful and fun but just remember birth plans rarely go as outlined so don't get too hung up on them, it's just a helpful reference for the ideal

Well, I wouldn’t even bother with a birth plan as it never goes to plan , I just put what my preferences were regarding pain control & things I’d want to avoid …

Here is a good resource to get started https://birth.optimalrhythm.com

Both plan is pretty much if the stars align what would be your preference.

I didn’t have a birth plan for either children. But the midwives I had were very accommodating for giving birth how I wanted to within reason (medical complications) as long as you know what you want and can advocate for it you can change up some of the smaller things e.g pain relief at the time x

I hired a midwife so I could do a home birth, I had everything bought and planned out, my baby was on track but never dropped into position, she was turned on her side as well so we thought we’d give it another week (40 weeks at this point). My midwife was out of town for a meeting which she asked if it would be okay beforehand. Well 2 days after her due date, I went into labor, I thought it was normal, I’m over here in pain trying to figure out how women do this shii naturally. I was having to do squats to poop cuz I was in pain, I was laying in the shower to take my mind off it, I was on my exercise ball (regret), I was laying against my husband and pushing against him and the wall to relieve pressure on my back (being on my hands and knees was the worst pain!). I called my midwife who told me I was in back labor because my baby never fully rolled over into position. I had to get an epidural, I couldn’t take the pain anymore. My home birth went out the window 😞

Alongside what Emilia said which covered most bits I would also include who you would like to cut the cord if possible, how would you like your room (i.e. music, low light, calming, pretty lights, essential oils, pictures up of scans or animals at home), and contingency plans - who would you like in the room if you went for an emergency caesarean, how you plan on feeding your baby and are you planning on hand expressing colostrum? If so asking for that to be used instead of giving your baby formula if for some reason you are unable to breastfeed straight away (if that is what you plan to do), also any preferred terms (i.e. are you happy using contractions and labour or do you prefer waves/bursts/birthing etc) x

I would recommend checking that your hospital is in your insurance network. If it’s not then find one that is. Research there review on labors and see if it aligns with your wants/values. I think this is more important at your stage. because your hospital policies will affect your birth plan.

Ask your doctor about different methods and the tools that could be used. I asked for no tools unless it was life or death. Lucky nothing was needed. Came close but was able to push on my own.

I didn’t have a birth plan but I loved my team of labor doctors, they walked me through everything. I knew I wanted an epidural and that was about it. Ended up getting induced and my epidural ran out after actively pushing for 45 min and my labor was just under 3 hours. Which was painful 😓. If you’re getting an epidural get it before they break your water. ( if they need to break your water)

things on my list were…

- delayed cord clamping + husband cutting
- not wiping off vernix
- golden hour after birth
- vitamin k after golden hour
- bringing home my placenta
- birthing in the position of my choice
- low lights, low music
- had a list of pain management strategies i may want to use (didn’t need anything)
- requested use of tub and birth ball
- asked for minimal cervical checks (had 1 right before i pushed)
- minimal interventions in general
- no episiotomy

of course there were some unexpected aspects of my birth, but my plan was very helpful and helped us advocate for my wishes while my brain was in the altered birth space. 1000% recommend

I’m also 12 weeks (scan on Thursday ☺️) and I just bought a second hand copy of What to Expect when you’re expecting - reading it rn and learnt about all the birth plans and more. Would highly recommend!

Didn’t have one 🫣 Glad I didn’t as nothing went to plan 🤣

I had 3. One for a home birth (my preference but didnt happen...had a preemie), a vaginal hospital birth, and a c section birth. I wrote them with my partner and had a printed copy in our hospital bag and my midwives had reviewed it and agreed to it before I went into labour.
It had things such as jobs for my husband to do (keep me hydrated, force me to get up and change positions, make me laugh etc), affirmations I wanted everyone to say to me, different hypno birthing techniques I liked and wanted to use, my favourite birthing positions, medical preferences such as no interventions unless absolutely necessary, skin to skin contact immediately, delayed cord clamping (til white), low lighting, my music to be played, vit k and eye drops to be provided. And then additionally things for c section like if baby has to be taken to the NICU then my husband is to accompany him and im to be left in the care of my care team.

I had a vaginal delivery at hospital and my birth plan was adhered to completely.