Anticipating the birth of your baby summons up so many different feelings: excitement, amazement, apprehension, or downright dread. With so many choices now available in childbirth, it is important to make a birth plan. This is a written record which will provide useful information to those involved in the birth, and place you firmly in the driving seat.
Decisions, Decisions There's no right or wrong way to make a birth plan. You could go into exhaustive detail, or just make a brief outline of your wishes. However you go about it, a few things are key to making it effective.
Discuss it in early pregnancy with your doctor or your midwife. They'll advise you on what to expect and what’s realistic, and help you book the right facilities in plenty of time. Make sure a copy of the final plan is given to your birth partner, one is in your medical records, and have one on hand to take to the hospital with you when the time comes.
In Any Event
It's impossible to tell how your labour will unfold, so any plans you make are not set in stone. Should complications arise, you need to be flexible for the safety of your baby. There's normally no reason to assume that you will have anything other than a straight-forward labour, though, so it is still important to plan ahead.
Where to Begin? Make sure you mention any special requirements you have for your hospital stay. For example dietary needs, or mental or physical disabilities that need taking into account. When you're deciding who you would like to be with you for the birth, be it a partner, a friend or relative, think about who would be the most comforting person for you to have there and don't worry about disappointing anyone.
You may want a natural birth with no artificial pain relief and choose to rely on breathing and relaxation techniques to get you through. If you do want pain relief, consider which kind would suit you: epidural, gas and air, pethidine or TENS are standard choices.
Got it Covered
Think of all eventualities. If for some reason you have to undergo an emergency Caesarean, you might want to make sure your birth partner is with you at all times. If you're placed under a general anaesthetic you may want to name the person you would like to hold your baby before you come round. If you have a major objection to having an episiotomy - that's when the area between your vagina and your anus is cut to create space for the baby’s head - and you would prefer to tear naturally, mention this.
Join Our Antenatal Club! Why not join our free online Antenatal Club? Registration is completely free and once you're registered, you'll be able to attend an online antenatal class with Raisingkids.co.uk's midwife the month before your due date. It's also a great way to chat with other mums expecting around the same time as you. Click here for more information.
Anticipating the birth of your baby summons up so many different feelings: excitement, amazement, apprehension, or downright dread. With so many choices now available in childbirth, it is important to make a birth plan. This is a written record which will provide useful information to those involved in the birth, and place you firmly in the driving seat.
