Birth Plan – Preparing a Birth Plan

There are so many forms to fill out during your pregnancy. From Medicare forms to Family Assistance Office forms, health insurance forms and hospital pre-admission forms - life can seem like a constant procession of paperwork. There is one document though which is more interesting than most - your birth plan!

Tales of the unexpected

Mia Freedman If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. If you want to make a midwife laugh, tell her your birth plan. I'd always mocked birth plans, even before having a baby myself and most certainly afterwards.

Are birth plans a waste of time?

Amity Dry As the final weeks of my pregnancy creep by it's time to pack my bags and contemplate going through labour again. But this time one part of my preparations will be missing. I won't waste my time writing a birth plan. Because I know now the idea that I have any control over how my labour goes is an absolute crock.

Fears for mothers as hospitals up the ante for birth classes

Natasha Wallace The cost of antenatal classes should be means-tested and made uniform across all hospitals, according to the Australian College of Midwives.

Sex, Birth & Videotape

Justine Davies My hubby recently bought a new digital video recorder so that we can record our daughter’s development over the years on film. All good. He’s now decided though that he also wants to videotape the birth.

VB vs Caesarean: what should I do?

Justine Davies I am 6 months pregnant with my first child and I am sure that I want to have a caesarean. I’ve told my obstetrician and she is happy with that decision – but some of my friends aren’t.

Using acupuncture to prepare for birth

Rebecca Mar Young Acupuncturist Rebecca Mar Young, who focuses on pregnancy, explains how acupuncture can help you prepare for birth.

Packing your hospital bag

The days of grabbing your keys, mobile and wallet and heading out the door are soon to be over, and it all starts with the birth!

Preparing for labour

You are approaching the end of your pregnancy and it is time to get ready for that important moment when labour begins.

Your birth plan

These days you and your partner can play a far more active role in your pregnancy, labour and birth.

The Juggle Blog

Why you need a birth plan

Mia Freedman Are birth plans a waste of the paper they’re written on? Mia Freedman starts thinking about what she’s going to do in the delivery room this time around.