A birth plan is basically a record of what you would like to happen during your labour and after the birth
 |
Photo license:  Some rights reservedhttp://flic.kr/p/cU2321 |
When you are pregnant you are told that you should create a birthing plan, this can be quite confusing as you may struggle to understand what goes inside this plan. A birth plan is basically a record of what you would like to happen during your labour and after the birth. It is a good idea to create a birth plan as it will also give you the chance to speak to your midwife about what happens during labour; it will also give your midwife a chance to understand your wants and needs.
What Goes In Your Birth Plan?
Your birth plan has to be very personal to you and be based on your specific needs. Your birth plan should be focused on your medical history, circumstances, and what is available at your maternity service. When you go into labour, the midwife in charge is likely to ask you for your birthing plan, they will then use this to base any decisions they need to make.
You should be aware that what you have written in your birth plan won’t be carried out if complications arise or something you have requested is not available, the midwife in charge will make a safe decision with you and your baby’s best interests at heart.
What You Need To Consider
There are many things that you need to consider when creating your birth plan. Labour is not always straight forward so this is why birth plans are created so that your health, wishes and baby can be put first. Some things that you may wish to consider putting into your birth plan are:
Pain Relief
There are many different pain relief options, in your birth plan you should make a note of what pain relief you would to use if you need any and what pain relief you do not want to use.
Location
Some women will choose the place that they want to give birth, this may be at home, in a hospital, in a birthing pool etc. It is important that you look into your different options to decide what location you want to give birth in.
Depending on your personal situation and circumstances, the place that you request to give birth isn’t always an option, so it is important that you include the 2nd location that you wish to give birth.
Invention and Instrumental Delivery
In some cases the midwife or doctor in charge may have to make the decision to intervene with your pregnancy if it is not going ahead as planned. If you are struggling to push your baby out and it is putting your baby in danger, then your doctor or midwife may choose to intervene with instruments such as forceps to help pull your baby out. You should note down your wishes on whether you would prefer instrumental delivery to be used during the birth, your wishes may not always be listened to if your baby is in danger.
Janet is a midwife and loves sharing advice on women’s healthcare to prepare women for labour. She gets all her helpful information from http://www.glowm.com/
Category: Gust Article, Gynacology and obstetrics, News, NO Folw, other
