Birth Plan

Are you thinking of using a Birth Plan? No matter what kind of birth you are planning, a written birth plan, or a written statement about you and your partner's preferences for you labor and birth, may be a good idea.

Bringing a copy of this plan with you to the hospital is a simple way to inform the people who will come in to contact with you of your preferences for the birth. There is no "one way" or "correct" way to compose a birth plan. Some can be several pages long, and address every aspect of the birth; other mothers simply compose a short paragraph.

Below you will find some questions that your birth plan may address
* Do you want a routine IV, a heparin/saline lock, or nothing at all?
* Do you want to listen to music? Did you bring any music?
* Do you want access to a tub or shower?
* Do you want pain medications? Do you have a preference for which pain medications you want?
* Do you want an episiotomy?
* Is there a position in which you would prefer to give birth?

Some mother's find that composing a birth plan helps to relieve some stress or anxiety that may be surrounding the big day. So, if you can, set aside some time to discuss your needs with your partner and familiarize yourself with the many options available to you for the birth.

If you are planning to have a natural birth, pay close attention to the next two suggestions. If you think there might be even the slightest chance that you may decide to have an epidural, make sure you let your doctor know this. There are tons of consent forms which you must sign in order to have the epidural, and signing them ahead of time is the best choice. Trust me, you do not want to be signing papers in the middle of painful contractions. Another thing to put on your list is questions about your options during labor. A lot of women do not realize that some doctors do not allow their patients to sit or stand once their water has broken. Be sure that you know how your doctor feels about this issue. Sitting, standing, and walking is a tremendous help in taking pressure off of your body from contractions, so not being able to do this may make you rethink your game plan. Also, make sure your doctor and the staff at the hospital will be aware that you are trying for a natural birth, so that you will receive plenty of encouragement during your labor.

Another big issue to think about is your wishes for the baby after his birth. Are you going to breastfeed? Do you want him to have a pacifier? Do you want him to be given a bottle of sugar water (as some hospitals still do this to calm a crying infant)? Do you want to give him his bath or would you rather the nursing staff do this? Do you want him placed on your chest/stomach once he is born or immediately whisked away to be checked out, cleaned, weighed, and measured? These and other concerns regarding the baby are best addressed beforehand so that you are not left disappointed or upset about an issue later on.

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