[LittleSpoon]

Hi Ladies,

I have been following the Birth Plan conversation on the main thread with much interest and jumped on the opportunity to start a new thread (hope that's ok redmum!). So let's chat....

I decided to call it Birth Preferences as is seems that not all of us have a Birth 'Plan' as such. Also, I think some medical staff get their back up very quickly at the mention of a Birth Plan. I have written a Birth Plan at spoke to the midwife at my OBs today and was met with a very quick "but it doesn't always go to plan". I get that, as I'm sure you all do too, but I certainly think it's important to articulate your preferences. So I think when I get to speak to my OB next time I will call my 'plan' a 'list of preferences'

My preferences are for a natural, intervention-free birth. Of course I want a healthy baby and my baby's safety is my first priority. Having said that though, there does seem to be a lot of non-essential intervention. I think some of the intervention is for convenience and ill-considered hospital/doctor policy. But I think largely the intervention comes from the doctors and hospitals erring on the side of caution. I understand why they do that, but it also makes me unsure about how I can judge what is essential intervention and what is a preventative preference.

I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth (I highly recommend it if you are interested in midwife-led, minimal intervention practice) - which really highlighted to bm how a positive environment, knowledgeable midwives, a good state of mind and time can result in a MUCH lower rate of intervention. So I am trying to work out how to give myself the best chance at having a intervention-free birth as possible. Some things I am doing are: hiring a doula, reading to better understand the process of birth, asking lots of questions and writing my Birth Preferences out.

But I would love to hear others thoughts...
How did you increase your chances at getting the birth you wanted? What was the best way to communicate your preferences with your medical provider?

Sorry for the waffle

This post has been edited by LittleSpoon: 30/10/2012, 07:39 PM

[aleithaki]

I'm not supposed to be in this forum....but I just wanted to say that I think the term 'Birth Preferences' is a brilliant description!

[greenthumbs]

Sorry, I don't belong either, but just wanted to add - I really enjoyed Ina May's guide too! and agree with a lot of what you're saying.

Next labour I hope to have a doula or even better, an independent midwife (only because I can't afford home birth ).

So, doula would be a great idea if that's up your alley! And researching lots is good too. Good luck!

[emelsy]

Don't belong either!
I had a birth plan. I tried to make it just like a conversation I'd have (but wouldn't be in a state to converse with everyone who might have treated me).
All my providers read it, I know this because some mentioned it (I put something funny in it) and all my 'really would like' things were done.
Like most, I didn't have an ideal birth, had lots of interventions but staff took on board my wish to not have a c section unless absolutely necessary.

[Anna_in_Canberra]

I had a long-ish list of birth preferences with my first baby and short lists with my second and (soon-to-arrive) third. I'd recommend going for a shorter list and emphasising the things that are really important to you. It can be useful to talk with your caregiver about the circumstances in which your most important preferences may or may not be able to be accommodated, so that you're prepared for that.

[LittleSpoon]

Thanks aleitheka, greenthumbs and emelsy.

As you say, I think a list of preferences can be good for letting the medical staff know what you want when you can't communicate effectively. Because I'm sure there are some people that would want intervention as SOON as there is sign of trouble, whereas others would be prefer to wait and see. So it's good for them to know which you are.

Also, I want my preferences to be taken into account when my behaviour in labour might suggest I want otherwise. Ie. I can see myself screaming out "I can't do this, make it stop." Which might sound like I want drugs or intervention, when really what I want is someone confidently telling me "You can do it, try doing XYZ" etc.

emelsy - can I ask, did you have a c-section? Did they talk to you about that as a possibility? How did you know you to judge if you did/did not need it?

[AgEm_my_world]

LOL I cant wait to give birth again, this is my last chance to have a drug free birth
I will stay at home as long as possible and use the birthing ball in the shower. that I can stick it out and get to the hospital just in time

[emelsy]

I didn't have a CS. They let me push for 3 hours then said enough. They prepped me for theatre and took me there and said they'd try forceps before CS

[clm1982]

OK so this time i plan to stay at home as long as possible, prefer to have my waters broken at the very end rather than earlier. Still happy to have drugs if needed. Thats it really, i found with my DD once my waters were broken at 5cm the pain became much more intense i was coping with the pain before hand. The only thing is im about 45mins to an hour away from the hospital now so ill have to try and give myself enough time to get there.

[stickymicky]

I had a drug free vaginal birth with DD and aiming for the same again, but there are a few things I want to improve on this time.

1. I want to avoid episiotomy. Looking back I think if someone had suggested I try some different positions (squatting etc) it may have been avoided.. So have been researching this myself this time round.

2. I would love water birth.. am booked into Birth Centre with birth pool so fingers crossed! Was transferred from birth centre to main hospital last time for continuous monitoring of babies HB due to some light vag bleeding so really hoping that can be doesnt happen this time.. Never found out what cause was and DD HB remain strong and steady throughout.

3. Want delayed cord clamping, would like it to finish pulsing before being cut! This was actually in my birth plan last time but didn't happen because it was a short cord so had to be cut so I could hold her..? (does that sound right? My memory is hazy.. Will ask them to double check my notes when I go back for spot next week)

4. Want DH to be the one who tells me it's a boy or girl (unless I see it first) Can't wait for that magic moment!!

5. Skin on Skin. When DD was born she was given APGAR of 9 but they thought her breathing maybe sounded a bit funny so they snatched her off me after only 5 mins of skin time and whisked her away to special care nursery for 3 days of antibiotics I believe if I'd been in birth centre they wouldn't have been so hasty to hook her up to drugs. I KNEW in my heart of hearts that she was okay and if something similar happens I will be more assertive this time.. Eg negotiate with Dr for 1hr of skin on skin and if breathing hasn't improved on its own then antibiotics etc.

My first labour was actually fairly quick (very first contraction at 6pm, contractions 4 mins apart at midnight, went to birth centre at 1.30am, gave birth at 3am) so although I plan to labour at home for majority of time will need to balance that with leaving myself enough time to actually get there, if 2nd labour goes faster than last one.

Overall I'm really excited about labour and can't wait to experience it again!