In the distant past, laboring mothers were expected to give birth without any particular preparation and with little help. As time has gone on, the medical world has come to realize that the more preparation a mother does before the birth, the easier it can be. This is why birth plans are such a good idea – they offer mothers (and their partners and friends and family) the chance to really think about the birth itself, and come up with their own ideas of how they will feel happiest when it comes time to go into labor.
Here are some useful tips for you to help you write a great birth plan; you don’t need to follow them all, as each plan is unique, but they should help you have an idea of what to include.
- Don’t Use A Pre-Printed Form
You can download a variety of different pre-printed birthing plans from the internet, but these aren’t always such a good idea. They won’t include everything that you want, or there might be sections that are included that simply aren’t necessary, and only go onto confuse rather than assist.
Writing your own plan means that you have a lot more control from the start, and it also means that you won’t be including information or details that aren’t really relevant.
- Pain Management Research
You might have an idea in your head that you definitely do or do not want to be given certain types of pain relief. Do these ideas come from proper research? If not, they should do – you might be mistaken in your ideas about what the pain relief does, and how it affects you.
Before making a final decision about the pain relief that may be offered and including your instructions in your birth plan, make sure you look into all the options so that you are completely informed and are making the right choice for you.
- Key Names And Numbers
Your birth plan can be a truly useful document for not only you, but the medical team delivering your baby as well. By including all the important names and phone numbers in your plan, they will know who to contact without having to disturb you when you’re resting or in labor. These names could include:
- Your birthing partner
- The baby’s father (if different)
- The baby’s name (if known)
- Your obstetrician
- Anyone you don’t want to be informed of the labor or birth
This will help you to stay in control and will allow your midwife to do their job efficiently.
- Contingency Plans
It’s important to remember that while many births are absolutely uneventful, some won’t go according to plan, and this is why contingencies are a good idea. You might, for example, need to have a c-section, so it’s important to note down what your wishes are should this be the case. Or perhaps you will require an episiotomy, and you should know whether you want to decline this or not. Speak to your doctor about all the different outcomes and try to have a plan for each one. If you find that you suffer complications during the birth, you may find you need to reach out to a leading solicitor for birth injuries, who can help you claim the compensation you deserve.
A birth plan can help you prepare for what is bound to be an exhilarating, emotional time, that may bring you stress but will inevitably bring you plenty of joy as well. A little preparation is all that is needed to make your birth experience as relaxed and stress-free as possible.
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