What is a birth plan?
"The birth plan is a written list of your
preferences to be used as a guide for how you would like your labor and
delivery to go. As labor can be unpredictable, you may need to deviate from
this plan at times during labor." This is according to the Health Library.
One of the most important things to remember about
a birth plan is, it is just that... a plan. No one, no matter what background
you have or how many children you have given birth to, can determine how your
birth will go. However, it is important to have a plan! A guide, if you will,
of what your wishes are in best & worst case scenarios. This doesn't have
to be a typed out and laminated report (unless you are a bit OCD like me), but
a clear, concise one-page document will do. Sharing this with your spouse,
doctor, doula or midwife will ensure everyone is on the same page and help to
create a positive experience for you & baby!
That is the easy part; the more challenging part is
determining which plan works best for you. Mothers today are far more educated
on the various ways to deliver. There are c-sections, vaginal births, water
births, home births, midwives, doulas, doctors, drugs, no drugs, and so forth.
It can be incredibly overwhelming for any mother, no matter how many children
they may have had already. Our bodies, and outlook on these matters change as
we learn more, age, and have more children.
The births of my two daughters were vastly
different, which goes to show your plans can change with each birth! With my
first daughter, I was 2 weeks late and in labor for over 30 hours... 18 of
which was considered hard labor. I wanted to give birth in a hospital, to me it
was just more comforting to have medical support nearby if needed. My plan
consisted of only two things; I wanted an epidural, and wanted to avoid a
c-section. I was terrified, young and in an incredible amount of pain.
The doctors were swarming me like vultures towards the end of my labor;
they wanted me to get the c-section. Had my labor gone on much longer I would
have had to, but in the end I was able to push her out.
With my second birth, I wanted a more natural approach.
I still wanted to give birth in a hospital, but I did not want any drugs. Since
I had such a traumatic experience the first time around, my husband and I
decided to bring in a doula to assist. I think one of the most common
misconceptions about a doula is that she is doing what the husband
should. That couldn't be further from the truth! I don't care if you are super
dad, or if you faint at the sight of a drop of blood... a doula makes the
birthing experience a more calming one. Greta, my doula, has 30 years
experience in assisting births. She worked along side my OB, and was an
advocate for my husband and I during the labor! With my back issues
(later blog) I opted for an elective induction at 39 weeks. In hindsight I
would have tried harder to wait because I believe that this prolonged my labor.
I was on a petocin drip all night and my body was not
dialating.
By the next morning I had not progressed much so
they wanted to break my water to get me to dilate. The nurses were strongly
encouraging me to get an epidural since breaking your water will cause your
contractions to intensify. At first I declined this so my doula could
continue to assist me in different positions that would help me naturally
dilate. After a few more hours I had only opened another 3cm (which left me at
6cm). For birth to occur they need you at 10cm and to be fully effaced.
The nurses could not give me anymore petocin,
and physically my body could not handle labor much longer. In the end I
agreed to the epidural, which sped things along within a matter of an hour. I
was very frustrated that I was unable to fulfill my plan of
"no-drugs", however in the end all that was important was that we
were healthy and safe!
So as I said, it is good to have a plan... but you
need to be flexible with that plan. Sometimes you will need a c-section, or
maybe the home birth you dreamed of is just not going to work. The good news is
with each birth you typically get a new plan. If you had a c-section the first
time, you can try for a v-back the next time. Birth is a
beautiful experience no matter what way your baby comes into the world! No
matter which plan you choose or end up with for that matter... it is the gift
you get in the end!
As always, consulting your OB/GYN to make sure you
know all the health risks is most important!
At J'aime la vie we offer a consultation that will take you through all
the different options you have and match that with your wants &
needs!
Stephanie Antoinette
480-717-2795
LoveByVictoriaAntoinette.com
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