How to do a birth plan?

[Kate7590]

Im going to be a FTM in February and have been told to think about what I want in a birth plan, but I really have no idea where to start
Can anyone help me with some ideas of what I need to include?
Thank-you

 

[salamander91]

I've not done mine yet but this might help https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/birth-plan.aspx

 

[Kazzini]

We included things like:-

a) Who we wanted present at the birth
b) Who would accompany me to theatre should I need a caesarean
c) Whether we wanted to delay cord clamping and whether to have the injection to help remove the placenta
d) Who would cut the cord
e) What pain relief I would like
f) That I would like skin to skin contact with the baby as soon as possible
g) Whether we would be happy with baby having the vitamin k injection
h) To just do whatever is best for baby and mummy

I cannot think of any more things right now. We kept it brief and kept the most important things on there because I had heard stories that a detailed long birth plan won't be read by midwives. To be honest my birth plan never made it into the delivery suite and most of the things on there were not followed in the end so bear that in mind and then anything that is followed on it is a bonus!

I would say make sure your birth partner/OH is aware of what you would like because they will probably be in a better position than you to make sure things happen! One of my biggest regrets is being so overwhelmed by what had just happened that I ended up having skin to skin contact for only a few minutes before being told a bath was waiting for me and therefore spending my time having a bath rather than spending time with my baby.

Hope all goes well for you

 

[Jonesy25]

I wouldnt set anything in stone as in a emergency they ignore it anyway lol, but if all is straight forward its great Include preference for ventouse/forceps, pain relief, if tearing may occur natural or episiotomy...ect x

 

[BabyMaybe917]

I searched "printable birth plans" online and found a TON. I looked at several though because some had info others didn't and so on. I'll compile the things that I want to be sure to include. For example one thing I am 100% sure of is that I do not want to be medicated so my birth plan will include "Do not offer me pain medication"

 

[Kirstymum005]

Loads of templates you can print off from the internet to guide you.

 

[Jonesy25]

Just look at a few and take notes and compile from there...!

 

[hels08]

mine just says:

Only my partner to be present
Water birth prefered
No pain meds only gas and air
Active birth, upright, mobile, walking around
Monitoring by doppler not strapped to stomach unless emergency/necessary

but keep an open mind as things dont always go to plan x

 

[Honeybumbum]

Here is the link to my birth plan. I hope it gives you an idea of what you want to put in yours.

https://babyandbump.momtastic.com/h...517-my-birth-plan-natural-birth-hospital.html

 

[GI_Jane]

I wouldn't bother writing one- have in mind what you want of course but any good midwife should have an open dialogue with you anyway and ask you before they do anything.

 

[Balloo]

I basically wrote the following;

At the top of the paper I put my name, date of birth, partners name and contact number, and my allergies.
Pain relief: epidural yes, pethedine not planning on having but would like to be told the last point that I could take it. Open to midwife suggestions on other pain relief options.
C section: not planning but open to having if the need arises.
Vitamin k: want baby to have.
Students in the room: perfectly ok with this as long as it is only one at a time.
Feeding: stated I would be bottle feeding from the beginning, and if I was unable to do so when baby was first born then my partner was to feed her.
Also put in a clause that if, for whatever reason, I was unable to make any medical decisions regarding me and/or the baby that responsibility was to be passed onto my partner. It all fit on to one side of paper, was clear and concise. I was even praised for it by one of my midwives!! Lol. Try not to make it too structured as if the midwives have a bit more flexibility they don't have to bombard u with as many questions. X