Birth Plans
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If you have any more detailed questions about all that feel free to message me😊
I would look at some templates I also recommend a Plan A and Plan B
Following because I know nothing
@Madeleine this is so helpful advice because I’ve been struggling with this also and this gets you thinking about it more in depth than what others may suggest
Something really helpful that I heard about pain management and options is this: When you are in the middle of contraction you are absolutely going to want intervention haha! When we’re in pain, we want it to stop. That’s a very healthy response, but it’s not a time to make decisions. We stick to the plan that we thought we wanted when we weren’t in pain. Now, if mama starts to ask for more pain management during the calm, between contractions, that’s when we start to reconsider the plan.
My personal opinion boiled down is that a birth plan that is helpful is one that helps your birth team know what NOT to do to make you more stressed in a time that you’re already super stressed. You’re running a marathon, you shouldn’t also have to advocate for yourself in that moment. For example, my biggest fear for birth was an episiotomy. Absolutely no scissors, no way. So I made sure my birth team knew that as part of my “birth plan” and more importantly my support partner. So like if it’s really important for you to hold your baby right after they’re born so you can see and feel that they’re ok and breathing, you out that in the birth plan. And maybe they can’t for some reason hand them to you right away, but they know how you feel so they make sure you can see baby until you can hold them. Then you trust your birth team that the only reason that you divert from the birth plan is if it’s medically necessary for the safety of baby or you. Even if it’s not as convenient.
Also totally willing to chat personally if you ever want to.
Your birth plan should cover preferences like if you want an epidural/Pitocin (absolutely not vs. maybe, vs. absolutely yes), a natural birth, do you want to be able to be Mobile, what type of pain management technique you want to utilize (rebozo scarf, counter pressure, water, pregnancy ball, walking, TENS machine, messages, ect), and other forms of comfort (music, tv, breathing techniques, affirmations, ect). It can be a lot which is why I always recommend a doula for your first, but if not you can find birth plan template online to fill out. I suggest looking at all the birthing styles and techniques to decide which one you feel would make you the most comfortable. Every woman is completely different on what they like and what helps them during labor. There’s also the after-birth portion of your birth plan which goes over placenta, skin to skin, breastfeeding, cord cutting, vit K, vaccines, newborn screening, babies first bath, ect.