What are your birth plans?

[rynosmum]

My DS was posterior before delivery although we still had a pretty speedy labour. I was drug free right through to pushing but then when he couldn't progress after 40 minutes of pushing and started to get distressed, they brought out the vacuum so I asked them to 'bring out the epidural' with it :laughing: The epidural stayed in long enough for a bit more pushing, the use of the vacuum, the stitching afterwards and then wore off so I could get up and have a shower etc.

I spoke with my OB this morning about what to expect with this labour. We are both hoping that my pelvis supports a baby being in anterior position in the first instance. He asked though what I would like to see out of my labour. I of course want it to be more straight forward than a posterior one, without intervention and without drugs.

He questioned why I wanted a completely drug free labour and whilst in the back of my mind I thought, less risk to baby, less risk to me etc - my answer came out as 'Because that's what everyone wants - that's what we are supposed to strive for':eek:

My answer actually surprised me (silly baby brain and speaking before thinking) and I realised that in my mind, this is the reason I want a drug free birth.

What about everyone else, what are your plans and what do you want. More importantly, WHY do you want it that way - if you are really truly honest with yourself, why?

[Bel1978]

My plan is to have a baby at the hospital and for my ob to book me in again so i know in advance :laughing:

No real plan just see what happens.. with Sienna i had gas and pethedine and i was fine with that....

Although i plan to stand for as long as i can so bub comes out quicker.... and walk around

[rynosmum]

:laughing: That is true. My labour was pretty quick last time so I hope to be at the hospital too!

Hmmm, I've always been a big fan of 'empowerment' and quite disappointed in myself for allowing the Epi last time.

My response this morning though makes me wonder about that. I want my baby delivered safely and that is the key thing. Apart from that, I'm happy to go with the guidance of the OB and midwife - heck knows that they deliver babies every day. No matter how much I think that I know more than they do....I really don't :no::p

[Bel1978]

I think its starting to kick in that i was only there 9.5 months ago... i remember most of Sienna's labour the part i was awake for... i had no need for the Epi but in the end i asked for every thing they said i didnt need it... My Dh turned the gas off and i didnt know it.. meanie....:yes:

As you said i will just go with it this time as each labour is different...... definately the gas and pethedine if i need it...... im thinking i may this time need every thing possible and i hope sienna sleeps the night before as i couldnt imagine pushing a baby out at the moment im too tired...

[isaacsmammy]

I discussed this with the doctor the other day and I've decided that the best thng for me is not to have a birth plan and basically just go with the flow.
Every other time I've done a birth plan we've never been able to stick to it for one reason or another. So this time I kind of thought "what's the point!":laughing:
As for an epidural, I never had one with the rest of my kids and I don't plan on having one this time. I'm not even sure I'm allowed an epidural because the surgery I had on my back was between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertbrae and apparently that's where they put the tube for the epidural. I have an appointment for the anaesthetic clinic for next month to discuss a spinal just in case the need arises (for emergency section or surgery after delivery)
I'll definitely be having G&A and I'm totally open minded on pethidine, diamorphine etc.
I have been told by the physio that I'm limited with what postions I can use in labour so will just have see how thing pan out.

Not long now ladies!

[Bel1978]

G&A?????

I would hate to think what the epi would do after watching my doc being covered with blood just trying to put my drip in.....

Unless you have been through it before as the midwife said most plans change..... even then mine might change too depending on labour.. not that i have plans....

[isaacsmammy]

G&A?????


Sorry, gas & air

[Pixie]

Post removed.

[Kayangel]

Here is my birth plan:

Im hoping to stay at home for as long as possible hopefully till my contractions are 3 to 4 mintures apart.

Im planning to walk around alot, have heat packs, lots of showers.

At hositpal i will still be walking around, standing up, still have heat packs and lots of showers, i am going to have gas and pethedine if i need it. I dont want the epi as i want to stand up and push my son out, its longer and harder trying to push a baby out lying down, i dont want to stuck in bed.

After bubs is born i am hoping to go home 8 hours later thats if everthing goes well.

Thats my plan i am well aware that it most likely wont turn out like this but its something for me to work towards.

[Bel1978]

I doubt I will use either don't want peth to cross over to the baby

Please dont let this scare any one as i will be having pethadine again but not within 2 hours of delivery...

I had pethadine not long before sienna was born... A couple hours after i was feeding her with the nurse and she turned purple only for about 30 seconds they quickly got the paed and he said she was fine it may have been because i had pethadine too late.. As i said i will have it again if i need it but not near the end.. they say 2 hours in the book....

[Kayangel]

I have heard alot about pethadine crossing ova to babies but i have done my research on it, asked my GP about it and also asked my mum and sis about it as they have had 5 bubs each and have found out its completey safe and doesnt effecr bubs unless u use it too close to delivery so anyone wanting to use pethadine dont let that put u off or scare u.

[EmsMum72]

I spent 8 hours in later with DD and after all that time I was still only 3cms dilated, so the doctors decided to give me an emergency c-section, which went very well.

I have decided to go with the c-section option this time around for a few reasons. Firstly, when you have GD it's quite likely that labour will progress very slowly and I will end up needing another c-section anyway. Secondly, we don't have people we can rely on at 3am in the morning if I was to go in to labour who could look after our daughter, so having it booked in will give me peace of mind as far as her wellbeing is concerned, and I can arrange suitable babysitters etc.

I will not be disappointed in myself for not having a child vaginally. After all the heartache it's taken us to actually get pregnant this time, I will be extremely proud of myself if I carry this baby to full-term without any complications. At the end of the day, it shouldn't matter how the baby arrives into this world, but I can understand how alot of women want to do it the 'natural way'. I guess I'm just not one of them, and that's fine with me :D

[rynosmum]

After all the heartache it's taken us to actually get pregnant this time, I will be extremely proud of myself if I carry this baby to full-term without any complications. At the end of the day, it shouldn't matter how the baby arrives into this world, but I can understand how alot of women want to do it the 'natural way'. I guess I'm just not one of them, and that's fine with me :D[/COLOR]

I'm with you girl.:thumbsup:

The initial purpose of this thread was me trying to define what my real motives were behind this upcoming birth. The only thing that remains static is that I want a beautiful, healthy, happy bubba at the end of it. Certainly the easiest labour possible will be great too :p but in reality, like last time, I don't mind how bubs comes out - as long as they are safe:yes:

[GIZMOE]

Well not sure really. I certainly know what I would love to happen. I had a C-Section with Poppy that probably saved my life and Bubs but this time round would like to give labour a go.

Whether or not that happens I'm just going with the flow but with more information and knowledge this time round.

Would like no drugs but never have been in labour before so not ruling it out either.

I had a big birth plan with Poppy and it all went out the window. I think if you keep positive and well informed about everthing you can deal with unexpected things better and make sure that you have a strong advocate to speak for what you want if you not in the position to say.

[Pixie]

I have removed my post, as it is quite clear I am not welcome in sharing why I am doing things the way I am and everyone seem to get quite defensive.

[rynosmum]

I have removed my post, as it is quite clear I am not welcome in sharing why I am doing things the way I am and everyone seem to get quite defensive.

Hey Pixie, please don't think that. I don't think that any of the responses have been aimed at anything else apart from individual birth plans, desires and hopes for the big day.

Personally, I really admire your strength and courage at having a home birth. I'd love to have that much confidence in myself but unfortunately I don't. I feel that I need to rely on my OB to some extent to help me get the safe birth I need/want.

Please repost - I think that your thoughts are extremely valuable - I'd hate to think that you believe they are not supported.:hugs:

[EmsMum72]

I have removed my post, as it is quite clear I am not welcome in sharing why I am doing things the way I am and everyone seem to get quite defensive.

:confused: Did I miss something. Everyone's entitled to their own birth plans, hopes/dreams for their labour, thoughts etc. Hope it's not something I said, if it was I'm sorry!

[Kayangel]

I have removed my post, as it is quite clear I am not welcome in sharing why I am doing things the way I am and everyone seem to get quite defensive.

I agree with Mel, Did we miss something :confused: what happen?? everyone is welcome to post and share their plans for labour. I didnt see any defensive or rude post?? :confused: im confused.

[V8]

Aww Pixie, i would have loved to read what you wrote. :(

For this birth i want to avoid the trauma i felt last time. The labour itself was long enough (27hrs), DS was posterior, i had every intervention (gas, pethidine, AROM, Synto, Epidural, ventouse). I thought that they were 'helping' by letting them do these things, i was originally happy with gas and peth, but really didn't want an epi as i already have back problems. But while in labour i ditched that, and it took another 13 hours after my waters had been broken and everything else administered, i thought it wouldn't take much longer.

Anywho that was the problems with ME, i also was worrying about DH who you know has severe memory problems (after he spent all that time in hospy the next day he asked where i was). So yeah i felt horrible being away from him as i know how much he needs me. Then my sister (identical twin) was actually experiencing every single pain i was, so she was sent out of the room and then i couldn't see her so was worried about her. All in all it was a sucky experience. I think it was a big contributor to me having PND. This time i want to be in control, i want to be comfortable and i want my support people there to be comfortable too, also i don't want to be away from Joshua. So that's why i'm homebirthing this time. So my expectations this time are to be guided by my own instincts and the professionalism of my midwife and doula in guiding me to having a natural birth. I am having a birth pool which im sure will be great for myself as my hypermobility makes certain positions very uncomfy on my joints and water is the best pain relief aswell as heat and massage. I don't think the conventional methods of pain relief worked for me last time, i think they worked against me, stalling the natural endorphins etc etc. So yeah, i evaluated a lot about last birth and the best option i decided was definately homebirth. I truly hope it's the experience i desire.

I also hope we all have tremendous experiences of labour and birth and most of all that our babes are healthy and beautiful! :bee:

[cindye]

Yeah Pixie - I would've loved to have read your plans too!

My plans -

1. Get the baby out!!!!
2. without tearing
3. and with as little drugs and intervention as possible!

But, it may well turn out to be a c-section, unless my next scan in 4 weeks shows the placenta has moved enough.

[mirandaj]

CindyE: I like that your plan is simple. Mine is basically the same but written in 3 pages.