question about drawing up a birthing plan?

Question

I was wondering if anyone has drawn up a birthing plan? did you just type it up in microsoft word? how did the doctor react? how particular were and you and what did you include? I really want to do one, what are the chances the doc will follow it

Answer 1

I am working on mine currently. I am just typing it up in Microsoft word. A few things I am including..
I want to know the pro's and con's of any intervention they want to perform[induction,etc]
I want intermittent fetal monitoring, not constant, so I can still move around.
Delayed cord cutting, till all nutrients are from the placenta[about 5 minutes]
As long as everything goes well, the baby is to immediately be placed on my tummy to breast feed.
No vitamin K shot[not necessary if you are planning on breastfeeding and not circumcising]

Mine is very detailed, I'm including everything, I am showing it to my OB at the next appointment if she will see me[I've only seen the assistant] I have a feeling she will be a bit surprised, and will be a bit defensive about some of the things I am including. Honestly I am not concerned about it bothering her, its a practice of several doctors, odds are it wont be her delivering my baby anyways.
Good Luck.

Answer 2

If you make a birthing plan, write it down, discuss it with your OB in the next app and make sure he/she understands what you want. Be also aware that those are just plans, things can go different on labor day and Dr would have to make decisions that are good for you an the baby, so be open minded about it. If you have a good Dr chances are the Dr will follow it IF nothing goes wrong.

Answer 3

Our local hospitals' web sites actually have links to birthing plans. They prefer that you bring something. It helps to go for the tour first so that you can find out what is standard and what is not. For instance, saying that you don't want an enema when they don't normally give them anyway, is sort of pointless. Then go over it with your caregiver(s).

It helps to have a separate one for baby care. That way,you have something specific also for the nursery nurse. Have several copies of each. Personally, I would also include on the top the things you feel particularly strongly about, especially if it veers from standard treatment. For instance, my friend put "baby is not to be removed from where I am for any reason unless it is life-threatening." This is a result of trauma caused by her first birth. The hospital team went out of their way to keep the baby within her view at all times.

Don't forget to include things that you might want if you should unexpectedly end up with a c-section.

Answer 4

I have never written a birthing plan (34 weeks). My doctor is only available at one hospital and that's not the one we intend on going to. So in my experience I would write one that would only include myself and my partner before & during the delivery. I would also let whoever is going to delivery my baby know exactly what my intentions are for my birthing experience. Here's a site that gives a little more info & suggestions. I love this site, hope it works.

Answer 5

It is good to discuss your birthing plan with your doctor. Another thing you need to do is find some people who have had babies delivered by him and see if he followed their birth plans or just did things a routine way.

Answer 6

My midwife and I made mine. She asked me if there was anything spefic I wanted and I told her what my fiance and I had decided on.
You can write it any way you want. In pen, pencil or on the computer.
In the end I think it's nice to have a birth plan so the doctor and nurses know what you want.