If you asked me what my plan was for giving birth, it would be quite different from my preferences. While I would plan to be having a manicure during labor and most certainly a Swedish massage during transition, my plans would never come to fruition- even if I had the money to fund such nonsense. I would plan to not be in pain, for it to last less than 10 hours total, for the room to be always at a comfortable temperature (regardless of how hot I am) and for there to be no such thing as sweating involved, please and thank you.
These are just silly plans, however, and while I love making a list of things I’d like to be, I call my list “Birth Preferences”.
Like a simple resume, your preferences sheet should be only 1 page, 1-sided. By definition, a birth plan is a document that tells your medical team your preferences for such things as how to manage labor pain. But please know you can’t control every aspect of labor and delivery, and staying flexible in case of (…) is the most important part of writing your plan. Knowing that things can happen and being comfortable with deviation… that’s really the start of parenthood! …and when all else fails in the process, remember your codeword (give it to your partner, or team as an indicator for when you are truly sure that you cannot continue- should you get to that point).
The biggest part of my birth preferences began with selecting my birth team. I chose a different doctor this time around, feeling sad with my practice after my last doctor left. I also chose the same doula team, Blessed Beginnings, for their love and support. My Mom will again be there for the delivery (someone has to be below the neck) and Dave will be my rock, of course! While it’s not written down, I know that my mother-in-law will have Addie with her, as “Namah” is the person Addie spends the most time with apart from Dave and myself!
If you’re looking to get started on your own birth plan, I suggest doing so in the first or second trimester and altering it as your pregnancy evolves (as your birthing education will too!) and then bringing it to your doctor or midwife around week 36 to review and get ready! I get my birth preferences signed so that I know my doctor isn’t seeing this document for the first time upon my entrance through triage. I also leave a copy with the doctor in my file, my doula team has a copy, and I pack 2 in my hospital bag- one to give at admission and one just-in-case… making copies of the original signed form so my team can’t say they’ve never seen it before! Better safe than sorry!
I did change our birth preferences, as with Addie I wrote that I didn’t want to be tied down under any circumstances, but I think that’s extremely rare now! Remembering that our hospital is a teaching one, I preferred to have no students last time and wrote that in… this time around, I couldn’t care less. Just one way I’ve changed, I guess! I also took out that we were donating cord blood. We tried with Addie, but due to the delayed clamping, the donation center said there was not enough blood left in the cord. While I would have loved to give back, it is more important to me to let the cord give all it can to my babies before cut. And… before you cringe, I am encapsulating my placenta again.
One of my favorite memes from www.placenta.co
Without further adieu, here’s what I’ve got on my birth preferences worksheet!
(CLICK TO ENLARGE!) Have your doctor/midwife sign after each section so you know they read it!
Did you create a Birth Plan/Preference for your delivery? What was on your list?
You are very organized. I just knew that I wanted my OB/GYN and I did what ever he told me to do 🙂
I think it’s more “anal retentive” 🙂 I feel like knowing what I want helps keep me focused- so I can say, “Make it through this and you’re at your goal.” Without that, I’d have reached for meds WAY sooner with Addie!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
wow,I never even though about anything except going to the hosp. and hoping that my dr. would be there soon to magically get my baby out ASAP! are you really going to eat the placenta??? If so why?? You are a very strong woman,going through so much with Addie and carefully planning the birth of your new daughter camielle..I hope you have a perfect labor and delivery, you deserve it!!!!
I don’t “eat it”… It is dehydrated and encapsulated. There are many studies that show it can help with a multitude of things, including milk supply and PPD. I have a history of depression, but suffered from no issues post-Addie. I attribute that to the pills. 🙂
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I tired to do just what my doctor told me… You really have a plan, great organization.
Thank you, Susan.
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
WOW! I was never really that organized. I knew What I did and didn’t want and mentioned it at the time. But often what I wanted wasn’t available due to being Military at military hospital you don’t get a lot of options. I took the best I could get. But I did push for the CMN. I wasn’t going to give up on that front. I just like the certified nurse midwives the most; and if problems arise; I was OK with an ob doc to come in.
Amber Edwards recently posted…How to Dress up a Maxi Dress with Karina Dresses
You advocate for what’s most important! I’m glad you spoke up, mama!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I wish I would have made one of these for all my pregnancies. There were some things done with my first 2 kids that I would have preferred to have played out differently. Having a good plan in place would have probably helped my breastfeeding efforts as well.
Carlee C recently posted…6 Ways To Get Kids Ready For Back To School!
Hindsight is always a blessing and a curse, for sure!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I hear a lot of preferences change with the second and third pregnancy. I think it’s great you can experience them a little different!
Yes! I think some of the things changed for me… but I love how I was overly prepped for Addie, and now I think that I am just so much more relaxed this whole pregnancy!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
Oh wow, that is neat! We did not opt to make one for our kids and went with the flow.
Amy Desrosiers recently posted…Betty Crocker Suddenly Grains Salads: The Perfect Side Dish! #SuddenlyGrainSalad
I wish I could let go of control… I think if I wasn’t prepped for Addie I would have ended up in the OR- I’m hoping Millie doesn’t take 2 days to get here!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I definitely had a birth plan. But, I kept an open mind that things can change at a drop of a hat.
SO true! And so important to remember with any plan!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
Great tips… I had a birth plan plotted out for my first and everything that could go wrong did. Lol… With the others, we went with the flow…
Those babies never listen to us from the start!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I have had 5 c-sections. My 1st son was way too big and from there they were c-sections. I have no regrets. I would like one more baby, it has been told that it’s not recommended but I am praying about it.
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…A Little Girl’s Must Have – Nenuco Me & My Little Sister Playset
I will pray for you, mama! No regrets sounds like the BEST plan to me! Lots of love to you!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
No birth plan. We just had to wing it. The first time, it was an unexpected & early C-section so any plan would have gone out the window anyway. The second time, I did get to choose a C-section and that was really all I cared about. The eating the placenta thing still freaks me out!!
Dede recently posted…The Supreme Macaroni Company by @adrianatrigiani book review tour GIVEAWAY
A little freak out isn’t so bad 🙂
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I thought I was going to freak out about being part of the teaching at the hospital, but I lost all modesty and concern for any of that when I was dealing with pain. I got my modesty back RIGHT AWAY after birth though.
Liz Mays recently posted…10 Dorm Room Essentials For College Students
I wanted no med students the first time… but now… who cares! Childbirth is just not a time to be modest- that’s for most other days!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I didn’t create a birth plan, but I had my son 27 years ago. If I were to do it all again, I would definitely have a plan.
Sometimes the best plans are the ones we never laid out 🙂
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
As a doula, I always try to encourage parents to make a birth plan but know that nothing is definite. Ever. I didn’t get to use mine and I know how that feels. 🙁
Stefany recently posted…Cozy Wall Art Review
I feel at peace that if the plan is totally different, that’s OK. I just like to know what I want so the team I have can do their best to help me get there.
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I did not create a birth plan. This is a really good idea, though! That way you know that your wishes will be known even if you can’t express them.
Exactly! It really helped me learn about birth ahead of time, too. I was able to take each contraction in its own time- I feel like- because I knew a lot. Plans are not how things will go… just a hope we’ve done a lot to try and attain.
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I did not create a birthplan but was happy how everything turned out!
Francine @ Teresa’s Family Cleaning recently posted…Water Safety Tips
That is the most important thing!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
HA! Love that image!
I never had a birthplan but everything went according to plan. Odd how that happens?
kristin recently posted…Our Summer Journey With Safety 1st
Indeed- sometimes that’s when the best plans happen!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
Wow, what great tips on planning all this. We only selected my OB/GYN and let her do the rest of the work. Fortunately our natural birth went fairly quick and with no complications.
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs recently posted…Audio Fest: No Best Buy Coupon Needed + Samsung SHAPE
THAT is awesome!!!!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
Wow, you are detailed!! I just went with what they told me and asked for an epidural as soon as possible.
Ashley – Embracing Homemaking recently posted…Prince Lionheart’s Wheely Bug Review
lol. Sounds like you had your plan, mama! 😉
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I never thought of a birthing plan with my kids. I guess I never realized there were so many other options out there that I wasn’t aware of. The only thing I had planned with each of mine was c-sections.
Stefani Tolson recently posted…The Color Run Sacramento 2014 #Happiest5K
I’m actually afraid of c-secions. I know so many people are just fine, but I think I would be the biggest baby ever! You’re a tough mama!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
It is smart to have a birth plan. I just wish I could have followed mine – but nature takes over!
Lori recently posted…‘The Best Mom in the World’
Damn that nature!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
I didn’t even know what a birth plan was when I had our first child. I’m having our 5th baby come November. I have my birth plan all ready to go and signed. I want things done my way this time. Great post.
Janel (A Mom’s Take) recently posted…3 Ingredient Fruit Leather
Go mama go! I am bringing my plan to my next appt to be signed! (36 weeks) I feel so behind… poor baby 2!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
It’s always good to have a preference; Sometimes it’s okay if the plan changes unexpectedly.
Exactly!
martinkadelux recently posted…Birth Preferences for Your Delivery
My birth preference was “no pain please.” LOL! It worked both times! Hooked up early on both! Haha!
Kristin Wheeler (@MamaLuvsBooks) recently posted…Top 5 Things I Loved About Blogger Bash NYC 2014 #BBNYC
Woman with a plan! I like it!
martinkadelux recently posted…50 Things *This* Mom Would Miss About Life before Kids
I did a scheduled C-section because they were telling me she was 10 pds. at 35 weeks. it was scary.
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Oh my! Was she really 10 pounds??
martinkadelux recently posted…50 Things *This* Mom Would Miss About Life before Kids