What is a birth plan? What things included in it?
A birth plan is referred to as the birthing plan with records of what would you like before, during your labor, and after the birth? which means a blueprint of your choices, wishes, and goals you and your partner have made for the safety of both the mom and the baby. Your midwife will able to help you to make the best plan ever.
Your midwife helps you to get to know about all perspectives of the birth process? Only she can able to understand your feelings ad priorities, and could make you aware to think and make discussion with your partner and family members about what is good for you?
Why it is necessary to create a plan?
Creating a birth plan means relief to the mind? No confusion between patient and practitioner during the birth process.
It’s always a good experience to create a plan for the better birthing experience that can also head of unrealistic expectations, minimize chances of conflicts, and miscommunication between birth mom and her attendants.
What to keep in mind while making a plan?
A birth plan is a well-written template but not a binding contract, between you and your practitioner. Although chances are pretty good to carry out the plan by your practitioner during the birth process. But maybe won’t. Depends upon what are the circumferences while birth?
For example, if they’re a piece of medical advice for well being for you and your baby, Or a change of mind(yours) can make a difference of plan like epidural or vaginal stitches!
Be Flexible
You need to be more flexible and well prepared to do things differently from your birth plan. In case complications arise with you or your baby, and the facilities like the birth pool aren’t available. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you need to!
Things to consider in the birth plan
- keep it simple-It must be short and sweet with one page and use bullet points when you can
- introduce yourself-In the case if there is a doctor on call whom you’ve never met. So, it’s very necessary”nice to meet your paragraph in your birth plan.
- who is your primary support person-Your spouse? A doula? your parents? Introduce them and explain their role.
- who else do you want in the room-What are your plans during labor, who do you want to stay with you in the delivery room?
- Describe the room-What do you like in your labor room? Dimmed light? Music playing? would you like the tub or shower? What do you like to play your own clothes or a hospital gown? Add all the things you don’t like?
- pain relief-the the labor questions for planning a medicated or unmedicated delivery?
- Water-birth–Water birth is considered the better way of delivery as it less your labor time by 90 minutes and fewer chances of epidural or any type of anesthesia.
- No episiotomy– It may be long and painful than a natural tear. A few drawbacks of episiotomy described by a study of Michigan have decreased sexual satisfaction and a poor body image.
- Limited cervical exams– These are irritated and painful. So, studies don’t suggest frequent cervical exams during labor.
- Food and Drink for mama-Many hospitals don’t provide any food during labor, but it’s very important for mama to maintain strength and stamina during labor.
- No medical students-It’s very important to consider the point not to allow students while labor and birth process.
- Pitocin only if needed-Only if medically necessary. Because its result can be a risk of hemorrhage.
- No IV- Iv can reduce mom’s ability to move freely during labor
- Nitrous oxide-It’s a safe way to cope with labor pain. And can be used safely.
After Giving Birth
- Skin-to-skin or kangaroo care has countless benefits! It not only improves mental and fetal health but also creates a strong bonding between mom and infant.
- Delayed cord clamping-The The most important thing as it allows infinite red blood cells, stem cells, white cells, and all other necessary substances to the infant.
- Allow partner to cut cord-He must be happy beyond imagination to play an active part in labor and delivery.
- Immediate breastfeeding-The first yellowish milk is a blessing for the baby.
- Limited visitors-They can disturb important bonding activities like skin-to-skin, breastfeeding.
Is there a need for a birth plan?
If you choose your birthplace and attendants wisely, you may no need of placing too many things via birth plan. Like doulas in the labor room, no mention of epidurals.
But if you’re choosing a hospital for a natural birth than creating a birth plan is a good idea. It all depends upon on what hospital you are going to give birth Because the standard of care depends upon the hospital to hospital.
Often nurses hate the birth plan because to those nurses, birth plans are inflexible, don’t understand. If these plans are overly detailed, rude, and demanding.
So, soon-be-mamas keep your birth plan simple and to the point. Your healthcare providers can understand and take the plan seriously.
This is a win-win for everyone since a short and sweet visual birth plan will help you to feel more comfortable in their hands.
End Point
I listed all the possible things that can help to write a birth plan template. What is your experience during the birth process? Did it help you? Do you experience your hospital staff paid attention to your birth plan? What is your experience share in the comment box!
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