Planning Your Baby's Birth

You've done it! You're pregnant and all those months of trying have paid off. There are so many things to be thankful for and you want to enjoy every minute of your pregnancy. Self-care, doctor appointments and watching the changes in your body are exciting new experiences. You have prepared the nursery and you can hardly wait for the day the baby arrives. Have you planned the birth?

You Have A Say In The Way Things Will Happen

These days women have more and more say over the way things happen in their birth experience and, although the doctors and hospital have the final word, preparing a birth plan will help the hospital staff and midwife (if you have one), who care for you during labor and delivery, know what your expectations are of the birth experience. This is an excellent way to communicate what type of labor you want to have, what you would like to have happen and what you really want to avoid during the process. The one thing you have to remember is that nothing is carved in stone. Even the best made plans can go astray.

Some Things To Consider Before You Make Your Plan

Before you begin your birth plan, attend as many prenatal classes as possible and become as informed as you can in order to be able to make the best choices. Connect with women who have already given birth at the hospital where you are planning to have your baby and, if you plan to have your baby at home, do a thorough investigation of home births. It is important to know what type of care is available and if you can have the things you desire. By keeping a list of things as they come to mind, you'll be able to create your own birth plan. You can sort the list out as you get closer to the time of the baby's birth. Here are some suggestions for things to think about as you get started.

Creating Your Own Birth Plan

As mentioned above, you will want to choose who will be with you during labor and the birth. Will this person be with you through the entire process or only during specific times? Do you want to remain mobile during labor or would you prefer to remain in bed? Will you use a birthing chair? You can choose your positions for labor and birth according to what fits best with your needs. There are also many ways to deal with labor pain. Write down what type of pain reliever you would like to have. You may prefer an epidural, a saddle block or no drugs at all. You may also have access to a birthing pool to help with pain control. Some women prefer to give birth in the pool, so you'll want to let the midwife or hospital know that as well. Will you touch the baby's head as it crowns and do you want to watch the birth? Who will cut the cord?

Do It Yourself Or Get Some Help

All of these questions and many more are appropriate to be included in your birth plan. There are a number of sites and books available these days to help you prepare your own special plan for the birth of your very special baby.

 

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