Did you have a birth plan to take to the hospital?

Kim - posted on 06/13/2011

I had one with copies for everyone and one posted on the door. It included things like 'no episiotmy, help support natural birth, a desire to not have the umbilical cord cut immediately, ect' most of this went out the window when my labor stalled, they pumped the pitocin, and I needed the epidural tp keep from pushing. Some of my other wishes wernt possible because my son had shoulder desplasia (he was big and I am small). But I did not have the episeotomy and am glad about that. I think it's a good guide for the ppl caring for you and helps you think through all the differant scenarios. It's a good idea to right a thank you to the nurses and drs on the plan also.

Martha - posted on 06/13/2011

Yes!!! You want to have things set-up for your Dr., Doula, Midwife to know what you want and don't want

Kelley - posted on 06/13/2011

I did not, but I wish I had. I would have requested to be able to move around and I probably would have made a fuss about the no water thing - I didn't know they wouldn't let me have anything to drink and it was absolute misery. That may have been the worst part.

I wanted to have a natural birth but things weren't "progressing" fast enough for my OB so he started with one intervention and it snowballed until I wound up with a C-section and I was too tired to protest. It's tough because I still don't know whether "you're baby is in distress, we need to do this" was actually true or if he just wanted to be home by 5:00. My son was perfectly healthy and so was I, so...I don't know. I wish I had known more about birth choices before I had the baby, and I really wish I had known more about breastfeeding. I should have made a plan that specifically stated no formula for my child, but I didn't, and he got formula in the hospital and it took me three weeks to get him off supplements and establish a good breastfeeding relationship.

Qi - posted on 06/13/2011

I did not have one when giving birth to my son but I am going to write one on this coming labor in two months based on my last experience.
Nurses came in to check with me for every shift on and off duty. I had magnisum IV which is unnecessary in my opinion. There was a TV on the celling right in front of me and they could not turn it off for the two days I was there. And there were no lactation consultant came to help me on the latches. I am quiet upset about it so I am planning to write a plan. It might end of useless but if needed, it is handy. Good luck.

Tonia - posted on 06/13/2011

I had a birth plan. It was peace of mind to have it just in case I needed it. Key things I put on there: who was allowed to be anywhere me and or my baby was (just in case she'd be in a separate room), I requested that no students be a part of my birth and I put the full spelling of my daughter's name just in case I couldn't verbalize it for her birth certificate.

Susan - posted on 06/13/2011

As someone that works in labor and delivery, having a birth plan is a good idea, but don't go for some crazy requests. Wether choosing pain intervention or to not, who will be in the room, music, lighting, etc are cool. I've seen too many times when women come in with 5 pages (really) of "demands" ( they don't sound like a real plan) and have to have a c section. Remember, anything or nothing can happen. Heart rate can drop, you may not dilate completely etc. Be open to options and talk to your OB before about what you would like. It would be helpful to your labor and delivery department if you could take a tour and ask questions of the staff also. Good luck!

Meg - posted on 06/13/2011

I think it is good to have a plan in mind, but I was a FINE example of everything going wrong. First one we had a plan, but was rushed into a c-section with a breech baby with little fluids. Then my husband and I became the poster children on my VBAC for having to try everything we opted out of on our birth plan. My labor didn't progress. They gave me an epidural at 9.5 centimeters and 31 hours of labor. The anesthesiologist hadn't seen that done before. My body didn't push the baby out, the labor was not progressing without serious intervention. I didn't want forecepts but she wasn't coming out without them! We wanted all natural and no epi, no nothing. After 31 hours, you concede. So I'd say that it is great to map things out, so long as you understand that you need to write flexibility into the plan as well. Never say never.

Kristina - posted on 06/13/2011

It is good to have a birth plan and take it with you to both health care provider visits and also on your hospital tour! It is also helpful to review what hospital policies are and to also realize that deliveries are not normal until they are over!

Kat - posted on 06/13/2011

We wrote one just because we felt so strongly about what we wanted, and wanted to make sure we informed them so there wasn't any chance for confusion. We made sure to have a stack of them in our room just in case. You definitely want to have someone who isn't in labor to make sure the nurses and doctors know your wishes because I know I didn't care what was going on around me lol. If you feel strongly about something let them know. Like we didn't want our son to leave the room unless one of us was with him, so he stayed in our room for the whole 3 days and only left once and my husband went with him. It's nice to have one worked out even though there is the possibility that things could end up completely different. I'm usually bad at being organized and prepared, but with that I made an exception.

Danelle - posted on 06/13/2011

I didn't have a written birth plan that I took with me, although I do think it's a good idea. I discussed my wishes with my doctor during the last months of my pregnancies and she was aware of what my wishes were. However both my children ended up being inductions so I had to be very flexible during both deliveries. Having nurses and doctors that understand what you want is important in preventing you from feeling pressured into doing something that may not be necessary during labor. Make sure to take birth classes and talk to your doctor about what may come up so that when the time actually comes you can make smart decisions.

Brianna - posted on 06/13/2011

i didnt with my 1st but plan to have one with future kids. ill make just a simple one like saying if baby is looking good can u but it on my chest as soon as it comes out? ect..

Echo - posted on 06/13/2011

Not me.. just an epidural and pushing. lol... thats my plan with this new baby too. but i did wish i had someone in there with me to talk me through the pain before the epidural. I have a verrrry low pain tolerance so at 3cm i was thrashing around in the bed like a mad woman lol a doula or something would've helped.

Tara - posted on 06/13/2011

We did and I loved having one. It lets the nurses do their jobs w/o having to ask you a bunch of questions. My plan hung right at the station under my name. I didn't want any unnecessary ppl in my room, esp students. I also had my phone cut for incoming calls. My plan allowed us to concentrate on having a healthy L&D while the nurses ran interference. I would also suggest writing a visitor plan for afterward. Keeps ppl from just dropping in.

Ti'Anna - posted on 06/13/2011

Yes I did have a birth plan to take to the hospital! I even had my midwife sign a paper stating that I didn't want an epidural. Then I gave one to the hospital when I arrived to make sure they knew not to give it to me. I think that having a birth plan is necessary in order to make sure that you have your baby or babies the way you want to whether it's wanting to have an epidural or not having one or anything for that matter. Not having the epidural was my only request. I had wanted a Birthing room so that I wouldn't have to change rooms after giving birth but it was as important to me as the epidural.

Kathie - posted on 06/13/2011

After Lamaze class my husband and I worked hard and on our perfect birth plan and happily presented it to my OB and he was thoroughly pissed - seemed to feel like we were trying to take over his job or something. He literally smirked and tossed it back at us. Needless to say I changed doctors for my next child, but by that time didn't feel it was necessary (since nothing went the way I "planned" with my first child, lol). I think it is a wonderful way to plan, hope and dream about the upcoming event, but I don't think it is absolutely necessary. Just make sure your doctor/midwife/whatever is open to it before proudly presenting it just to be shot down.

Kelly - posted on 06/13/2011

A birth plan is a wonderful wish list. My doctor/hospital was wonderful in following my wishes. I laid in a big warm bath most of the time. But, when I finally was falling asleep between each of the bigger contractions, they approached me with "You need sleep if you're going to push your baby out ..." and let me make the decision for an epidural. After 20 hours of zero progression, I made the decision for pitocin. Amazingly enough, my labor regressed (went from a 7 to a 6 in less than an hour) and the baby started to show signs of stress. When they suggested a c-section to keep him safe, I had zero hesitation. My birth plan had contingencies, though. I knew that not ever birth goes according to plan. And I've worked in maternity wards where moms get very upset when it doesn't go according to plan. Remember that the most important plan is to have your baby safely! So, my plan was "In a perfect world", "In case the world isn't so perfect" and "In case my baby or I require surgical help".

Ashley - posted on 06/13/2011

I just wanted a healthy baby! Good thing to cause we ended up having an emergency c section. Not "part of the plan" but I do have a healthy son now!! Best to just go with the flow I think!!

Stephanie - posted on 06/13/2011

I did have one but it was very flexible as I wanted to be realistic that we never really know what's coming our way in the birth process. I think it was more important for my mental confidence than for the actual birth. However, it did make me think about the things I really didn't want to happen and those I wasn't so bothered about.

Rossi - posted on 06/13/2011

Took a Bradley Birth Class and learned A LOT! With my first I did write one down and had a plan to talk with the labor and delivery nurses. I also learned that having a doula going to bat for you could help get those birth plans applied and respected. I then looked into Birth Centers and then discovered that the midwives at the Birth Centers could come to my home. So we had a homebirth. BEST decision ever. So we did the same with the next two after. For US it was the BEST plan and Lord willing we would do it again!!!

Margaret - posted on 06/13/2011

No, bubs have their own birth plan regardless of what you think your's might be

Andrea - posted on 06/13/2011

I think you should have an idea of what you want during this birth (i.e. drugs/no drugs, etc), but I also think you have to know that flexibility if key. I have read that a lot of women walk away feeling upset or angry- in general, at the hospital- because their birth plan didn't go how they wanted it to. Which I think is unfair- short of them simply ignoring you during a very normal, routine labor/birth.

My son was born @ 33 weeks- so I wasn't even really finished thinking about how I hoped it would go. But I did know that I had nothing set in stone. I would try for no meds, but if I was that uncomfortable, I would take the epidural. I wanted to be able to labor and delivery in the suite rooms (where normal deliveries happen)- but I had to deliver in an operating room, even though it was a vaginal delivery.

Labor and delivery is where mom's DO have to let go a little and go with the flow, because so many things can change.

Paulette - posted on 06/13/2011

i forgot I wrote that i didnt want the baby blood taken off as its good for the skin and no chemicals near baby.Both my kids have sensitive skin like me.i could give my birth plan to the midwives both shifts as I have both children ten days over and long labours.No drugs and no epidural.Be flexible and it will help you know what you want if you want to go one.Its there for the midwives to help you Paulie

Daree - posted on 06/13/2011

Yes I have had a birth plan with my last two births. They were both VBACs and I felt it very important to have a flexible tangible reminder of what I wanted! With my most recent birth experience I handed it to the nurse, she left the room and about 15 mins. later she was back asking me if I had a preference about a pacifier since I didn't mention it in my plan! I loved my birth experience!! Birth is messy and unpredictable a birth plan is a good way to stay on track as long as you don't get too wrapped up in the fine details of it all! Your main goal is a healthy little bundle outside of you! Keep that in mind! I asked not to have an IV to start, we compromised with an IV inserted but not hooked up to anything. I was using hypnobabies and the nurses were very good about checking with my husband if it was ok to talk to me and let me have dim lighting and all of my support people!

Melinda - posted on 06/13/2011

My birth plan was GET THE BABY OUT SAFELY. I didn't have any other requests, stipulations, etc. That was my one and only concern and I wholeheartedly trusted my doctor (I LOVE her!!!) to make the right decisions concerning me and my daughter. :-)

Delia - posted on 06/13/2011

I didn't write anything out.. Just let everyone involved know what your plan is. I told my husband, mother and best friend. When the day came they knew their roles while I was busy doing my thing..

Rachel - posted on 06/13/2011

I didn't have one, the only thing I wanted was no drugs (Which I got) and a waterbirth, but because my blood pressure got too high and labor was progressing too quickly I couldn't have that unfortunately, and I had to go to hospital where I wanted to have her at maternity ward. If I had done a plan it would have been straight out the window.
The next one has to be done by c-section so I will really have no say in that lol!!
If you do a plan, just be prepared that you may not get it. I so badly wanted to not go to hospital because I had heard so many bad things I went without gas for a long time (as was sent home) and really needed it, and really needed my midwifes support (As she was out at the hospital that day) Once I had all that it started going better. Anything can happen so don't get committed to one thing

Paulette - posted on 06/13/2011

I made a birth plan that covered all contigencies for both natural and unfortunately caesarian-emergency.i even put in having silk stitches as at the time caesarians had staples which turned the first time and pinched me.i put in no drugs for a natural birth and use of massage and baths and relaxing essences.As my first had been an emergency caesarian I would put in exactly what you want.I also put in not to be knocked out as i was knocked out for the first and didnt see him till 10. oclock even though he was born at 7.Put down what you want.it's too late to when it's happening and hubby may not be able to cope with the stress.i'll say a prayer for a birth you want and plan it no matter what.from someone easy going reguarding plans.

Babette - posted on 06/13/2011

It depends on your personality and what kind of birth support you have. I have a tendency to not question medical authority and be a "good patient." But with my third birth, I had the experience to know what i liked and did not like about some of the standard hospital procedures for the birthing mom. So i hired a doula and wrote a birth plan. Still, I was shy about giving my birth plan, but my doula helped out with that. My third birth was just as I wanted it. And while I couldn't stick exactly to my birth plan, it opened up a communication and mutual understanding with my caregivers that i otherwise would not have had.

Michelle - posted on 06/13/2011

i didnt for either of my kids.... i know people thar have... honestly the birth plan goes out the window after awhile, so i think its pointless

A - posted on 06/13/2011

I had one with my daughter and the only thing that I really wanted was for them to not ask me if I wanted an epidural bc I was planning on doing it all natural no meds and I succeeded in doing that. With my son I didn't and made it through with no meds as well. Though with my son they asked if I wanted one and I said "NO". They just jump to that automatically when you start having the serious contractions. I just breathed through them all until it was time to push. I didn't get to hold my daughter right away bc she had the cord wrapped around her neck, but my son I got to hold. Very different emotional experiences. But if you feel like you want to write one do it. If you have specific things like for them to not ask you if you want an epi like me or if you want baby right away if possible...etc. But just remember that just because you plan it that way doesn't mean it will go that way. It usually doesn't. Good luck and hope it all goes well with you. Also, I wrote down no pacifiers or bottles bc I nursed my kids. I didn't want them to get confused.

Kerry - posted on 06/13/2011

My birth plan helped me feel prepared beforehand but it went right out the window! I thought I would like music and cheering but I just needed silence!
Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com

Bette - posted on 06/13/2011

my daughter didn't have one, just the mid-wife who kicked all the doctors out of the birthing room and said their services were an un-necessary expence for my daughter...she was right.

Denise - posted on 06/13/2011

It's pointless if you plan to give birth in a hospital with a doctor. They only know one way of helping women have babies and if a woman doesn't fit into that plan of theirs, oh well. You can write one up and they will probably never look at it. Hire a doula to be your advocate in the hospital or go to an out of hospital birthing center with a midwife - it's a much better way to have your birth be YOURS. (or have your baby at home with a midwife, but not everyone is up to that.)

Amy - posted on 06/13/2011

i think the birth plan was really more for me than for the docs/nurses. that way i knew what was out there and what i wanted for me and my baby. I didn't have any problem voicing right there that i did or didn't want something.

Lylah - posted on 06/13/2011

I requested with my obgyn ahead of time that i did not want any medications or induction agents like pitocin.

Bailey Jane - posted on 06/13/2011

I had a real intricate one printed out from Babycenter.com. It had checkmarks in all of the boxes indicating what I preferred and what I did not want present during the birthing process. It never made it out of my hospital bag once. When I began to have my daughter, even the breathing exercising flew right out the window. Nothing mattered except for when the midwife said "Push." And that's about it. I guess it made me FEEL better having one BEFORE I had her since they shove it down your throat in such a way that makes you feel like you have to have one, but believe me, you don't.

Lylah - posted on 06/13/2011

For my second child I had a birthplan, to go all natural, with a hypnobirth plan. It helped tremendously for my pregnancy pain and the birth. It was called hypnobabies and I didn't need any medication until after the birth of my beautiful, healthy daughter.

Rae - posted on 06/13/2011

Yes and a doula! www.doulas.com

Brandee - posted on 06/13/2011

I did not prepare a birth plan. My doctor and I went through the steps of delivery in his office when I scheduled an induction day. However, I went into labor on a Sunday and he wasn't on call, so a doctor that I had never met delivered my son. Things don't always go as planned, but if it makes you feel better to write something down then go ahead. My only request was an epidural for pain which the nurses knew. I figured they knew what they were don't more so than I did since it was my first delivery. Everything turned out wonderfully and I was able to have 6 loved ones in the deliver room with me. My son was the first child that my grandmother got to see being born. It was very special.

Sandra - posted on 06/13/2011

Had one and never used it. Plan for all possibilities because it may not go the way you wanted. I did find that my deliveries were very similar to what both my Mom and sister went through. However I ended up with an emergency "C" after 17 hours of labour and 4 hours of pushing. I'm really glad I brought warm socks for my feet, and the music I brought was a good distraction.

Lisa - posted on 06/13/2011

yes,the only thing i asked with my 1st was to have a water birth, they ran it for me and then there were complications so i never got one.
i wrote another one out for my 2nd again requesting a water birth and no pain relief they said yes, they started running it for me and i had delivered my son by the time it was finished, so with my 3rd i didn't bother writing one, the only thing i said to the hospital when i got there was i didn't want any pain relief after i was really ill with my 1st but the hospital had to over rule me because my baby wanted to come but my body wasn't ready and would have ended up with severe consiquences.
So birth plans never go to plan and nor does not having one, i say just take it how it comes.

Cruzita-Maria - posted on 06/13/2011

no, i never had one for any of my children. i am on number four. good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Wanda - posted on 06/13/2011

Everyone kept asking me what my birth plan was. My plan was to give birth..period. I have friends who had this beautiful birth plan and it DID NOT happen the way they wanted. And they were disappointed. Personally, I didn't care. She was coming out one way or the other and I really had no say so in the details. Whatever happens, happens. Besides, once you meets eyes with that perfect little angel, how they got here won't be as important.

Joanne - posted on 06/13/2011

No, didn't have one, other than to do what ever the midwife told me, especially for the first one, I had no idea what to expect so was totally in their hands and relying on their guidance, and it couldn't have worked out better...

Leisa - posted on 06/13/2011

I never got time to make a birth plan, my twins were almost 11 weeks early.

Vickie - posted on 06/13/2011

yes i think u should mke one up even tho it may nt go to plan bt noin dat its thea n dat da midwife cn read it n no wat u want.

Nicole - posted on 06/13/2011

no i didnt. i went in with an open mind and trusted my body to take me through the ride. i believed my body was designed for this and if i tried to controll it i would just get in my bodys way.
i asked for my angels to be near me and to keep my baby safe and keep me calm.
hubby was there - although he didnt do much, just the fact that he was there made me feel very safe. the nurses were very motherly and caring.
i had a lovely birth and am looking forward to another with our second, due 27th Sept. i am ofcourse a little anxious - i live 5 hours from the hospital.... but i trust my body will do even better this time round xx have you looked into hypno birthing?

Rebecca - posted on 06/12/2011

I have seen a lot of birth plans since I have worked in Labor and Delivery. It works for most but we get some that can't work because of problems during the delivery.

Laura - posted on 06/12/2011

I had one...and everything changed. :) I wanted a vaginal birth with drugs postponed as long as possible...however after 30 hours of labor I was stuck at 7 cm dilated and the drugs and the epidural and the pitocin were not helping it. I ended up needing a c-section. BUT...my daughter came and she was healthy, the surgery went smoothly, and now she is a beautiful 16 month old. The nurses and doctor were very respectful of my wishes and were gentle in telling me that we needed to consider other options. If you have strong feelings about any part of birthing, I would consider having them written down. Bring multiple copies as well in case they get lost. I entitled mine "wishes for labor" as I knew that they were simply that, my wishes, not a plan...as things can change. Little did I know I would be absolutely right!

Jennifer - posted on 06/12/2011

I didn't have a plan, per se. I told my doctor I wanted to deliver my baby with the least amount of drugs and cutting as was necessary.