Until yesterday, my plan was to just have a scheduled c-section. Now, I'm wavering. If I go into labor on my own (and both babies are head down and positioned correctly), I might try a vaginal birth with the understanding that Baby B could end up being a c-section anyway. If I don't go into labor on my own, I don't want to be induced. I'd go straight for the c-section at that point.
Post by liverandonions on Jun 2, 2015 11:41:41 GMT -5
My hospital had a sheet to fill out in regards to pain med preferences, mirror use, etc. I was able to say this is my preference, but I wasn't married to anything. The only thing i really truly cared about was My husband telling me the Gender-they were really good about it and i got my wish.
I don't care what the baby thinks of my birth plan. Lol. I care that I have a calming and supportive environment. For me, trust is built through mutual understanding. I don't want to battle with people, it's going to be stressful enough as it is. I can't trust a medical professional that doesn't take time to listen to me and discuss options. A plan helps me calm my chronic anxiety as well as allows for me to communicate what I would like, because who knows what doctor I am going to get.
My plan probably won't be a "here are things that have to happen" list, but I want to make sure that we have a good working relationship and we understand each other.
Having seen your update here, my thought is that you may be disappointed with how any plan you make is followed through with. Mainly because you will see your doctor for like .2 seconds of your entire labor unless something really has gone awry. You are going to interact with the nurses and techs more than anything, and you will not have had time to build up any trust with them, and they may or may not care that much about your plan.
Rather than focusing on a written plan, I might suggest you really tour hospitals and find one that you feel the most comfortable with.
I'm a fan of birth plans, but as an education tool for the parents, not necessarily to be given to care providers. I think there's a lot of value in looking at all the interventions you may be presented with during labor and birth, the pros and cons to each, and deciding what you're comfortable with. There's also immense value is discussing these with your partner so s/he can support you and advocate for your wishes when you're in labor.
TBH, it seems like most doctors and nurses don't read birth plans and even if they did, they have several patients at a time so the odds of them not confusing your plan with Susie Q next door are slim. Your better bet is to be educated on what's available to you and have a support person who can communicate your wishes directly with the staff while you're busy laboring.
Over half way there! Are you still planning a homebirth? I *think* I remember you mentioning that in the past.
I didn't have a birth plan with dd1. I wasn't really familiar with the concept. I did have a straightforward plan for a low intervention/med-free birth with dd2, and it was followed, and it happened pretty much according to the "plan." My nurses were great and supportive, as was my midwife. The only thing I decided to change with subsequent babies was no AROM. There are many drawbacks to it (infection, malpositioning, cord compression, cord prolapse if head is ballotable).
With my other three, it was simple... stay home -- walk/use gravity, stay hydrated to keep energy up, use birthing ball, shower, and whatever else I was comfortable with. Though with ds2 and LO I planned a water birth. No water birth with ds2 because he came very unexpectedly and I didn't have time to get in, but it was something I was hoping would happen this last time. So the plan was to set it up, fill it quickly, get in, and bam! baby. That's what happened. My midwife and her apprentice arrived 45 min before her birth and just set up their gear and hung out until nearly the very end. Very laid back and chill.
I'm a fan of birth plans, but as an education tool for the parents, not necessarily to be given to care providers. I think there's a lot of value in looking at all the interventions you may be presented with during labor and birth, the pros and cons to each, and deciding what you're comfortable with. There's also immense value is discussing these with your partner so s/he can support you and advocate for your wishes when you're in labor.
TBH, it seems like most doctors and nurses don't read birth plans and even if they did, they have several patients at a time so the odds of them not confusing your plan with Susie Q next door are slim. Your better bet is to be educated on what's available to you and have a support person who can communicate your wishes directly with the staff while you're busy laboring.
Over half way there! Are you still planning a homebirth? I *think* I remember you mentioning that in the past.
I didn't have a birth plan with dd1. I wasn't really familiar with the concept. I did have a straightforward plan for a low intervention/med-free birth with dd2, and it was followed, and it happened pretty much according to the "plan." My nurses were great and supportive, as was my midwife. The only thing I decided to change with subsequent babies was no AROM. There are many drawbacks to it (infection, malpositioning, cord compression, cord prolapse if head is ballotable).
With my other three, it was simple... stay home -- walk/use gravity, stay hydrated to keep energy up, use birthing ball, shower, and whatever else I was comfortable with. Though with ds2 and LO I planned a water birth. No water birth with ds2 because he came very unexpectedly and I didn't have time to get in, but it was something I was hoping would happen this last time. So the plan was to set it up, fill it quickly, get in, and bam! baby. That's what happened. My midwife and her apprentice arrived 45 min before her birth and just set up their gear and hung out until nearly the very end. Very laid back and chill.
Yes! I finally found a new midwife after my original one moved her practice unexpectedly. So we are back on track and planning our second home birth. Well, third really if you count the first one that was planned to be at home before all hell broke loose, lol
I do have a birth plan, we actually just completed it last night (with the exception of the C-section area b/c I need to get more info about a couple of things I want before writing that). When I was under midwifery care I don't think I would have felt as strongly about it, but now that I have to be under OB care it's a bit of reassurance for me that I can get my thoughts and wishes clearly communicated to whoever will be on-call when I'm in labour.
My biggest fear is that I'm not going to be listened to and will feel like I'm having unnecessary interventions forced on me for convenience sake (either the OB or the hospital) so we've made it very clear in the birth plan that any interventions or medical suggestions be clearly discussed with me using the BRAND philosophy (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, what happens if I do Nothing, and then give me a few minutes to Decide). Thankfully my midwife will still be present at the birth, so I feel like if she tells me it's actually necessary I'll be more comfortable with things.
And yes, I realize the above makes me sound very distrustful of the medical community and perhaps a bit paranoid but it is what it is. I am not normally like this with any of my doctors, but I have my back up in a big way right now since I haven't met or even heard from the OB that's supposed to be taking over my care so I have no frame of reference on the person who is supposed to be looking after the rest of my pregnancy. I see my midwife on Thursday so I'm going to ask her whats up since it's been over a week since they sent off the referral.
My hospital had a sheet to fill out in regards to pain med preferences, mirror use, etc. I was able to say this is my preference, but I wasn't married to anything. The only thing i really truly cared about was My husband telling me the Gender-they were really good about it and i got my wish.
Omg the mirror question! Forgot about that one. I try to avoid even looking at my reflection in the bathroom mirror when I hop in the shower!
My hospital had a sheet to fill out in regards to pain med preferences, mirror use, etc. I was able to say this is my preference, but I wasn't married to anything. The only thing i really truly cared about was My husband telling me the Gender-they were really good about it and i got my wish.
Omg the mirror question! Forgot about that one. I try to avoid even looking at my reflection in the bathroom mirror when I hop in the shower!
I VERY STRONGLY do NOT want a mirror. NOPE NOPE NOPE. Not for me.
I do have a birth plan, we actually just completed it last night (with the exception of the C-section area b/c I need to get more info about a couple of things I want before writing that). When I was under midwifery care I don't think I would have felt as strongly about it, but now that I have to be under OB care it's a bit of reassurance for me that I can get my thoughts and wishes clearly communicated to whoever will be on-call when I'm in labour.
My biggest fear is that I'm not going to be listened to and will feel like I'm having unnecessary interventions forced on me for convenience sake (either the OB or the hospital) so we've made it very clear in the birth plan that any interventions or medical suggestions be clearly discussed with me using the BRAND philosophy (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, what happens if I do Nothing, and then give me a few minutes to Decide). Thankfully my midwife will still be present at the birth, so I feel like if she tells me it's actually necessary I'll be more comfortable with things.
And yes, I realize the above makes me sound very distrustful of the medical community and perhaps a bit paranoid but it is what it is. I am not normally like this with any of my doctors, but I have my back up in a big way right now since I haven't met or even heard from the OB that's supposed to be taking over my care so I have no frame of reference on the person who is supposed to be looking after the rest of my pregnancy. I see my midwife on Thursday so I'm going to ask her whats up since it's been over a week since they sent off the referral.
I understand that it is likely hard to adjust since you have to switch your caregiver so far along, but you should really give the OB a chance. I feel like it is somewhat setting yourself and the OB up for failure that you seem to just expect the care to be terrible. In the end I have heard that is really comes down to the nurses that will be there with you. I would just be a little more open to the OB in general, I think it would make you a little calmer and open minded about the experience.
I do have a birth plan, we actually just completed it last night (with the exception of the C-section area b/c I need to get more info about a couple of things I want before writing that). When I was under midwifery care I don't think I would have felt as strongly about it, but now that I have to be under OB care it's a bit of reassurance for me that I can get my thoughts and wishes clearly communicated to whoever will be on-call when I'm in labour.
My biggest fear is that I'm not going to be listened to and will feel like I'm having unnecessary interventions forced on me for convenience sake (either the OB or the hospital) so we've made it very clear in the birth plan that any interventions or medical suggestions be clearly discussed with me using the BRAND philosophy (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, what happens if I do Nothing, and then give me a few minutes to Decide). Thankfully my midwife will still be present at the birth, so I feel like if she tells me it's actually necessary I'll be more comfortable with things.
And yes, I realize the above makes me sound very distrustful of the medical community and perhaps a bit paranoid but it is what it is. I am not normally like this with any of my doctors, but I have my back up in a big way right now since I haven't met or even heard from the OB that's supposed to be taking over my care so I have no frame of reference on the person who is supposed to be looking after the rest of my pregnancy. I see my midwife on Thursday so I'm going to ask her whats up since it's been over a week since they sent off the referral.
I understand that it is likely hard to adjust since you have to switch your caregiver so far along, but you should really give the OB a chance. I feel like it is somewhat setting yourself and the OB up for failure that you seem to just expect the care to be terrible. In the end I have heard that is really comes down to the nurses that will be there with you. I would just be a little more open to the OB in general, I think it would make you a little calmer and open minded about the experience.
I think once I meet her and have a chance to talk and get my feelings out in the open I'll feel better. Right now it's a lot of unknowns and its making me really uncomfortable.
I understand that it is likely hard to adjust since you have to switch your caregiver so far along, but you should really give the OB a chance. I feel like it is somewhat setting yourself and the OB up for failure that you seem to just expect the care to be terrible. In the end I have heard that is really comes down to the nurses that will be there with you. I would just be a little more open to the OB in general, I think it would make you a little calmer and open minded about the experience.
I think once I meet her and have a chance to talk and get my feelings out in the open I'll feel better. Right now it's a lot of unknowns and its making me really uncomfortable.
When is your first appt with her? I hope it goes well.
I think once I meet her and have a chance to talk and get my feelings out in the open I'll feel better. Right now it's a lot of unknowns and its making me really uncomfortable.
When is your first appt with her? I hope it goes well.
I have no idea. My midwife was sending the referral last Tuesday and I have yet to hear a word from the OB's office. Any time my midwives have referred me anywhere I've always heard with 24-48 hours. I see my midwife for my regular bi-weekly prenatal appointment on Thursday so I'm going to be asking what's going on. We discussed three different OBs and she said she was going to refer me to one specifically, so I have a name at least (and have been all over ratemds.com). The tardiness is not creating a good impression.
Omg the mirror question! Forgot about that one. I try to avoid even looking at my reflection in the bathroom mirror when I hop in the shower!
I VERY STRONGLY do NOT want a mirror. NOPE NOPE NOPE. Not for me.
I wanted the mirror and my husband tried to talk me out of it. I pushed for an hour and once I got the mirror she was out in 2 pushes. Being able to see what my pushes were doing and how close she was getting was what I needed to bear down and get her out.
When is your first appt with her? I hope it goes well.
I have no idea. My midwife was sending the referral last Tuesday and I have yet to hear a word from the OB's office. Any time my midwives have referred me anywhere I've always heard with 24-48 hours. I see my midwife for my regular bi-weekly prenatal appointment on Thursday so I'm going to be asking what's going on. We discussed three different OBs and she said she was going to refer me to one specifically, so I have a name at least (and have been all over ratemds.com). The tardiness is not creating a good impression.
I would maybe just give the office a call. I also wouldn't let this reflect on the OB since this is really her staff and she likely had no idea.
No plan survives the actual birth. pooh8402 and meltoine make very good points about using a birth plan to make informed decisions. I drafted one to help me figure out what I wanted in advance so that I could advocate for myself. In my regular life, I am a decisive and demanding type A individual who regularly scares other people. That did not change when I went into labor. I also was not concerned about having mood music, dim lights and special scents around me. That just is not me.
My greatest concerns were with the anesthesia and epidural part of the process so I consulted with my ob who recommended that I have an anesthesia consult. After having the consult and finding out that I could have the epidural when I wanted up to 10 cm dilation, I decided to not give the birth plan to the doctors. I also decided to have an epidural. Different hospitals have different rules on when an epidural can be delivered so I really recommend finding out your hospital's rules.