A birth plan is an essential part of having the birth that you want. All pregnant women should write a comprehensive birth plan that describes their preferences for labor, birth and the immediate post partum period.
Before you can write a birth plan, you need to know what you want. That is where having goals is beneficial. Setting goals for your birth is a big topic. For this reason, I will split it into two blogs, one for labor and the other for the birth and beyond.
In our society, we often focus on what can go wrong during birth. We worry about every possible issue that can occur from the first contraction until the baby is born. If you want to have a natural birth, this negative thinking can really work against you.
When you are writing your birth goals, don’t think about every scenario where something could go wrong. Instead, picture your ideal birth. Close your eyes and imagine everything going perfectly. What do you see? How do you envision your ideal labor? The answer to these questions will determine your birth goals.
Now that you know what you want in your birth, what will most help you achieve that goal? This should be considered in every area of the birth plan. What support, techniques and supplies do you need to help you achieve your ideal birth? This should be spelled out in your birth plan.
Each plan is different, but the typical birth plan covers several basic areas. Some are related to labor. Things you should include in your birth plan are your preferences in labor. This would refer to fetal monitoring, freedom of movement, number and frequency of pelvic exams and the use of IVs.
Other labor considerations are the environment of the room and pain relief options. When addressing the environment, consider the factors that will make you feel most comfortable. This could be dimming the lights whenever possible, music or your favorite pillows from home. Whatever will make you feel most relaxed and comfortable should be included here.
If you plan to have a natural birth, include this information in your birth plan. Be specific about this goal. Include information on pain relief techniques that you intend to use to cope with the contractions. Some techniques that are helpful include time in the water, massage, breathing exercises, relaxation exercises, hypnosis for childbirth and relaxation exercises.
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When Your Family Disagrees with Your Birth Plans