[Alvarywinters]

Hey everyone!

I had a look through previous topics but may have missed this already being up, if so, my bad

What are your plans for birth? Where and with who? Do you have a set birth plan or will just go with it? Are you writing a birth plan? How long are you planning to stay?

Me...well nearly not a lot of choice here lol...but...
Public hospital with midwives and maybe ob (not sure yet, will update that when I'm allowed to see one =.=).
I don't want an induction, epidural or cesarean, but perfectly happy to take any other pain meds they offer haha
My mother and DP (will be DH then ) will be there.
Wanting to set up a written birth plan but might wait until after my first MW visit tomorrow.
Hoping to stay no more than 48 hours...apparently the hospital does well with short stays and 24 hours isn't uncommon where requested...yay!

Be interesting to see what choices everyone has made...there are so many options!

[Dettol]

What are your plans for birth? Dont really have one other than I am thinking he is going to want to come out sooner or later. Ball is in his court.

Where and with who? Hospital with husband.

Do you have a set birth plan or will just go with it? Go with it.

Are you writing a birth plan? No

How long are you planning to stay? Dont understand how you can 'plan' this? But I dont plan on hanging around the hospital any longer than I have to.

One this I have told husband is no spectators or people in training having a go or a look, I am not a guinea pig.

[Alvarywinters]

Just some people push to leave as soon as they can and others want to enjoy a longer stay

[Kelly84PerthWA]

Last time i had a vaginal birth with just a bit of gas been 8 and 10 cms. I also had some local when i had to have an episiotomy.

This time, fingers crossed i am going to try without gas.... even as i write this i am thinking i must be mad... it was the worst pain imaginable!!

My only problem is my placenta is at the front this time so hopefully i wont be giving birth forehead first.....

[MickeyBoo]

I am going public, but I am high risk so under OB care. My last two babies were started off with induction at 38 weeks, and it will be the same this time. An OB will start the induction and the midwives will do the whole labour and birth bit. I manage with just gas ok so will probably just go for that again, I'm not allowed an epidural so that's off the table regardless.

My last two births I have gotten to 5cm and my pain has all of sudden gone through the roof, I have asked to be checked each time before any further pain medication is administered and at the same time for the midwives to stretch my cervix, both times I have gone from 5cm to fully dilated in 2mins, and then bub is out 5mins later. So I'm really hoping that it goes super quick like that again!

I've copied my birth plan from the last two times in here as a reference, it was really well received by the midwives, it's simple requests and not demanding, and also open to change if need be, which I think they appreciate when reading and trying to follow. The more 'this is the way it has to go' you are about the whole process the less likely they are to be pro-active about it, well that's my experience anyway. The first time I used it, both midwives read it and set everything up, made changes along the way without needing to ask me, it was really pleasant and made for a great birth experience. My last birth I had an experienced midwife and a trainee, the trainee was adamant she knew more about my body than I did and was resistant to the birth plan, but didn't refuse any of it. She also scoffed at me being able to dilate 5cm in 2mins, and then got the shock of her life when the whole labour turned out exactly how I said it was going to, and even funnier at the exact time I said bub was going to be born. Her face was hilarious and I wish I had of gotten a picture It was still a good labour though.

BIRTH PLAN

I understand that not everything will work the way that I would prefer and that circumstances change in an instant, however these are the options that I would like to try and work with and I am open to things going differently to what's expected..

SUPPORT PERSON

 My husband and my mother will be my only support persons

PREFERENCES

 To have cold water to drink, or ice available to munch on
 I would like a few pictures of my baby straight after birth
 I would like the lights to be dim for the labour and birth

PAIN RELIEF

 I would like to be able to use the shower in the early stages
 I would like to be able to move around and try different positions
 I would like to be able to use the gas first
 If needed, I would then like pethidine to be offered before anything else
 I am unable to have epidural due to back problems and a previous failure for it to work. The anaesthetist has recommended an alternative if need be.
 I would like support with my pain management and help to stretch out time between pain relief requests.

OTHER LABOUR PREFERENCES

 I would prefer to tear naturally, rather than have an episiotomy
 I would prefer the use of the vacuum over forceps
 I would prefer limited monitoring, however understand that it is sometimes necessary. I would mainly like to be able to move into different positions and not be stuck on my back for long periods of time.
 I would like to be able to have the bean bag available.
 I would prefer if my husband cut the cord.
 I would prefer that any cannulas to be put into the back of my hands instead of in my arms.

AFTER BIRTH

 I would like to see the placenta after birth, and after that it can be discarded.
 If all is ok with baby and myself after birth I would like to take part in he 48 hour discharge program

FEEDING BABY

 I have had previous supply issues with three of my children and attachment issues with my second. I would like to attempt breastfeeding and would like support to do so. Being diabetic I know that my baby will have to have regular feeds to help stabilise sugars, however I would like breast milk offered before formula and help with attaching.
 If all else fails I would at least like to give my baby the colostrum.

This post has been edited by MickeyBoo: 02/02/2012, 01:39 PM

[Alvarywinters]

What a great (and well written) birth plan! Very simple and straight forward...will be using it as a base for mine

[Kimmyd89]

I have decided not to have a birth plan at all, being the sort of person I am I know that if I organise something and want it to go a certain way and that doesn't happen I will freak out.
I understand that you can't really control what happens so I am happy to go into labour with an open mind and no real expectations, I am just expecting the worse and hoping it's not so bad. In saying that I am all for pain meds and would rather not have to have an episiotomy but I know these things can't be helped.

Good luck ladies!

[nikkidee]

MickeyBoo that is very impressive! You have motivated me to do more reading and put one together myself.

There is one thing I want to avoid at all costs - forcepts and vacuum. A friend had a very very very bad experience with forcepts and I am absolutely terrified of them as a result. I would rather have a C-Section if it came down to it.

I need to do so much research before the birth! Feeling very disorganised.

[Megan!]

To be honest I am PETRIFIED about the birth & one of the first emotions I felt (along with joy) when I found out I was expecting was COMPLETE AND UTTER TERROR!!!!!
The less I think about it the better.

When I met my "mother in law" (not married but she calls herself this after 10 yrs of being in a relationship), for either the first time or soon afterwards, she announced that she used to be a midwife and if I was to have a baby with my partner she would be present during labour and delivery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AGGGGH nightmare!

I was 19 at the time and absolutely FREAKED OUT!

I am NOT the sort of person who likes to have an audience during times of vulnerability & therefore my plan is to have my partner present. I made it clear to her when I was 19 and ever since that she will not be present or welcome during labour & delivery. I am considering my mum being present during labour but it depends on how I'm feeling - this is my first & I have no idea how I will react.

Apart from that I am pro epidural & anything else I require I'll just take as I need it but nothing unnecessary.

I quite liked many of the points that you had in your plan MickeyBoo & although I don't want a formal written plan, I will make sure my partner is in charge of making sure my needs/wants/desires are met. eg. the photos, ice/water, showering etc.

[Allele]

Good book I am writing my birth plan from for my second child is
"Natural hospital birth"
Step by step and wish I had it for my first son!