Birth Plan Sample
Can you please give me a general guideline or birth plan sample I can use to write my own?
Today it is becoming more and more common for many expectant mothers and their partners to create a birth plan. This is simply good sense and will help to ensure that your wishes are followed by the nurses and your doctor. Not only will a sound birthing plan alleviate the stress of delivery, but it will also keep you on the same page with all of your caregivers and help to avoid any types of miscommunication whenever the big moment arrives.
Before you create your birth plan, you want to speak with your doctor or the hospital where you plan on giving birth, so you have an inherent understanding of what is and is not acceptable. While it is important to have your wishes respected, do keep in mind that everything you desire may not be feasible.
No two birthing plans are ever alike, but here are some issues that all expectant mothers and their partners should carefully consider:
- at what point during your labor you would prefer to go to hospital
- the type of delivery room you prefer (private or semi-private)
- if you prefer to have soothing music playing
- if you prefer to have a mirror used to allow you to see the birth of your baby
- types of pain medication you prefer (or if you want to go the natural route)
- if you are okay with using drugs such as oxytocin should the need to induce labor occur
- if the father or another member of the family prefers to cut the umbilical cord
- friends and family members who you prefer to be there during your labor
- if you prefer that your baby is cleaned up before being given to you
- if you would like to breastfeed immediately after birth
- if you are ok with the observation of your labor and delivery by medical students
- if you are planning on having a water birth
Creating A Birth Plan
This can be as formal or as informal as you like it, as there is really no standard or set rules for how to write a birthing plan. You simply must sit down with your partner and go over all of the things that are important to you, and to list them in order of the issues that you prefer be in the plan. After this is finished, you will want to write out your birthing plan and that go over it with your doctor. Be sure to have plenty of copies on hand to take along with you to the delivery room.
Make sure that your partner knows to give a copy of your plan to all of the nurses who will be caring for you and most especially whenever there is a shift change. This way everyone is on the same page and understands your wishes. It is extremely important that your partner is polite and not pushy when discussing your wishes with the nurses and other aides on duty.
Finally, remember that your plan should be not only feasible, but flexible as well. You always want to have a backup plan just in case something does not go as you had hoped. As an example, you may want to have a natural birth, but halfway through your delivery you may in fact decide that you won’t be able to get through the ordeal without pain medication. It is these exact types of scenarios that you will have to plan for as well. Not every birth goes exactly as you had hoped and any alternatives that you may be faced with should be carefully considered.
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