https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:42:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan/page/2#post-2356216 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 23:23:25 +0000 Torchwood 2356216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I planned to have a birth plan! Didn't get a chance to write it because LO was early. Though I got most of what I wanted anyway. More because there was no time for an epi than anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan/page/2#post-2356207 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 23:08:15 +0000 gingerbebe 2356207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Now that I think of it we did have a birth plan form from my HMO that DH and I filled out. But I think it was more important in that it cause DH and I to have a conversation about what we wanted. The only thing I really kept reiterating was that I wanted my placenta to encapsulate. We were so easy going during labor the staff couldn't believe it - but we birthed at a hospital where most parents lean more natural and the staff usually has to tread lightly with their suggestions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan/page/2#post-2356122 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 20:04:35 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2356122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an unwritten one: labour at home until at 4-1-1, no pain meds, try other pain management like laboring in a tub, TENS machine, gas, in that order. I also wanted to walk around as much as possible. The whole plan went out the window as I was induced at 42 weeks. I was hooked up to an iv drip of oxytocin and had constant monitoring. I couldn't walk around the hospital because I needed to be close enough to a plug for the monitors. I couldn't use the tub as a result of the need for monitoring and the moveable battery pack didn't work. I only had pain on the front from my contractions so a TENS machine would have been useless. I think I asked for pain meds at 7cm and got talked out of it. Made it to 10, pushed for a while, and then the doctor said my baby was stuck and wouldn't come out without a c section. So I learned, to either not have a birth plan or have a much broader birth plan...I never thought I would have a c section so I was totally unprepared. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan/page/2#post-2356053 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 18:13:02 +0000 Corduroy 2356053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, my HMO provides a form. For LO1's birth all the medical staff on each shift reviewed it. I could tell from their reaction to it I had essentially picked the "granola package." I showed up with a doula so probably wasn't a surprise. The form had questions on pain management, do you want a mirror, do you want to hold baby before he/she is wiped off, circumcise, light or dark room, etc.</p> <p>With birth #2 I dragged my feet on filling out the form. Birth #1 had been traumatic and I just couldn't put myself in the headspace to think about birth again. They asked me to complete it during my GD test (what's that 27 weeks or so?) and bugged me at every appointment thereafter. I filled it out the day before I went into labor. I was already 10cm when I arrived at the hospital though. I remember I walked in holding my water bottle and birth plan. When I crawled onto the bed DH threw the birth plan across the room very dramatically. The staff did read it after the birth to review post-birth instructions and probably to laugh at my plans. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan/page/2#post-2355706 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 14:16:01 +0000 KatieBklyn 2355706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have a written plan. I was worried about becoming too attached to any one vision of how birth would go. I know myself, and I can get really disappointed when I envision things one way and then they turn out another, and I knew that the birthing process could have lots of twists and turns. So I did read up about different interventions and made up my mind ahead of time about my preferences, but I kept in mind that "healthy mama, healthy baby" was my main objective and that "man plans, God laughs." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan/page/2#post-2355595 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 12:52:03 +0000 KT326 2355595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had discussed a few things with my OB but then I went into labor early and he was on vacation! I never wrote anything down. The next time I am going to write a few things down knowing that it may or may not happen. Last time I didn't get immediate skin to skin because of breathing issues and next time I want to try. I also don't want constant monitoring unless absolutely necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan/page/2#post-2355582 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 12:26:08 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 2355582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We discussed birth plans with the midwives and they made notes (so I didn't take a copy). As little intervention as possible, able to move around during labour, intermittent monitoring, pain meds only given if asked (I didn't want to be offered). Also, I wanted akin to skin right after if possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan/page/2#post-2355410 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 10:49:34 +0000 NavyRN2012 2355410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No. With my first, I was too young and uneducated to even know anything about a birth plan. I delivered at a "baby friendly" hospital for #2 and #3, so my wishes (such as pain management, BFing, skin to skin, dad cuts cord, etc) were verbalized to my nurse on admission and written on a whiteboard in the room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan/page/2#post-2355346 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 10:15:18 +0000 autumnlove 2355346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, I didn't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan/page/2#post-2355328 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 10:05:10 +0000 travellingbee 2355328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First time I wrote one out but didn't give it to anyone. It did help to guide my thinking though. DH was aware of what I wanted and helped me during labor. Everything went fine. This time, I just feel comfortable knowing that I'll make decisions that are right for me in the moment because I've already had the experience and confidence to know. I don't feel a need for a written plan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan/page/2#post-2355322 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 10:02:58 +0000 Alivoo01 2355322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope! I told my OB during one of my checkups I was open/wanted an epidural, but other than that. I trust her and my body to do its thang. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan/page/2#post-2355267 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 09:30:14 +0000 Mrs D 2355267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did not have one. My Dr and I had had discussion in the later weeks of my pregnancy. She knew I was open to pain meds but unsure if I wanted them (had no idea what labor would feel like so how could I know?!). She also knew that my overall opinion was "you are the Dr - I trust you - lets make decisions together when possible but do what you gotta do".</p> <p>The only questions I remember being asked with regard to big decisions was 1) do you want an epidural - now would be a good time (I was 6cm)...I had already had a dose of pain meds when admitted so this was a no brainer and 2) do you prefer an episiotomy or to tear naturally...I told her "whatever she recommended" and then tore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan/page/2#post-2355236 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 09:17:20 +0000 Bubbles 2355236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes - it was less than a page long but more detailed than I will bother with this time. But it was important to me to have some of my preferences written down in case I wasn't in a state to make them clear - eg delayed cord clamping, natural delivery of placenta (though I won't be doing that again) and immediate skin to skin. </p> <p>I think I did fall victim to idealising my birth plan though, I was very willing to cooperate with the medical team - but I was so set on my idea of the perfect birth that when I had to be induced it really threw me and affected my ability to deal with the situation I found myself in. This time round I'm trying to keep my expectations low! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan/page/2#post-2355221 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 09:12:28 +0000 regberadaisy 2355221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes for my first and it was placed in my folder. But I don't think the nurses ever referred to. We just talked about it during admitting and DH advocated for me.<br /> No for the second one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2355214 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 09:09:08 +0000 Maysprout 2355214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>dH and I had a lot of conversations about it. I didn't write anything down but we talked about it when we arrived and he was good at articulating during. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2355207 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 09:06:10 +0000 peachykeen 2355207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, but only because everyone made me think I needed one. That all went out the window when I was induced due to preeclampsia and couldn't move around/leave the bed. </p> <p>I am really hopeful for a more normal situation next go-round, but I'm not quite mentally (or physically) ready to jump in again yet... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2355170 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 08:33:01 +0000 youboots 2355170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wrote a 'birth intentions' document that was less than one page. I wanted an epi and would not fight them on a section if necessary. No one allowed in the room besides M and @littlejoy. Wanted to breastfeed/skin to skin right away- and delay anything not needed right away to make that happen. It was nice to have my wishes in place. But I had a 43 hour induction and never cared about having a med free birth- it went as well as it could regardless of what it said on that piece of paper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2355169 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 08:32:50 +0000 Adira 2355169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No - I just planned to go with the flow (and get an epidural, but I couldn't). I trusted my midwives to give me advice and do whatever was necessary to deliver my baby safely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2355158 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 08:21:31 +0000 Applesandbananas 2355158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Healthy baby, healthy mom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2354861 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 19:36:23 +0000 mrsrain 2354861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had several-- one for each set of circumstances that might arise (induction, emergency, normal birth). I gave a copy to my doula so she could help us make assertions as needed. In the end everything happened so quickly that most of it was not needed. It was so good to do, though, and know our preferences on things like protocol to facilitate expulsion of the placenta (who knew) and whether or not they should bathe her. I'll definitely do it again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2354787 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 18:28:35 +0000 pastemoo 2354787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: not last time.<br /> this time i intend to have one</p> <p>with top priorities like<br /> my husband will tell me the sex of the baby<br /> my husband wants to cut the cord</p> <p>then some smaller stuff below. i think i will work on it around christmas break </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2354781 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 18:25:50 +0000 sleepybear 2354781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, it wasn't super in-depth - just my preferences for my ideal birth. I had to change about half of it because I was induced, but my midwife still looked over it and really took my preferences into consideration. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2354756 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 17:46:41 +0000 travelgirl1 2354756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I ended up with c-sections both times but while vaginal deliveries were still on the table my plan was simply no forceps. I was open to everything else and would have had no problem going to a section if needed </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2354730 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 17:26:05 +0000 Autumnmama79 2354730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my first, I wanted one but never bothered writing one because I generally thought the whole thing was out of my control. With this baby, I want one and am going to have one dammit! I'll write it together with my doula as I'm going to rely on her and DH to make sure it is followed as best as possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2354729 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 17:25:34 +0000 MamaBear87 2354729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went over most things that could happen in my childbirth class. Most of the things I wanted were standard practice at my hospital, and were things my doctor also followed. So I felt pretty confident in my team that they would support what I wanted as long as things went smoothly. Everything went amazing, I had an awesome nurse, she listened to me and made suggestions not demands. Overall I was really glad I had a go with the flow attitude<br /> It made me way more relaxed and helped labor go super smooth</p> <p>Eta I didn't actually write a birth plan but had discussed what i wanted with hubby and my ob </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2354717 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 17:15:49 +0000 MoonMoon 2354717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely, although it was basic and straightforward. Nothing about, like, essential oils and music. But I shared it with my OB, and she knew my wishes. I knew some things might change, but the birth plan was an important part of me having a really positive labor, delivery, and recovery experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2354702 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 17:02:04 +0000 Cherrybee 2354702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had all these ideas with #1, but they went out of the window when I was diagnosed with GD. Once your "high risk" and on the induction list, there's no point planning anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2354699 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 16:57:03 +0000 ElbieKay 2354699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, I was one of those anxious, high maintenance FTMs with a super detailed birth plan. Haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2354684 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 16:45:01 +0000 beloved 2354684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have a birth plan - other than get this child out of me the best way possible with us both as healthy and happy as possible! I had an overall positive birth experience and trusted my team completely! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-youdo-you-have-a-birth-plan#post-2354649 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 16:32:28 +0000 Ree723 2354649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope - I only wanted two things (besides the obvious healthy baby and healthy mama); an epidural ASAP and immediate skin to skin. Didn't care about anything else. </p>