How did you decide on a birth plan that is right for you

The best birth plan is a flexible one. IMO, there is no one right way to labor, and all the practice of methods in the world before hand might not be of any use when the time comes. It's great to learn them so that you have options, but "don't put all your eggs in one basket", so to speak. ;)

My best advice for a non-medicated labor is to stay moving. When you stub your toe you don't freeze and not move, you rub it, wiggle it, walk it off. Same theory applies to labor pain. Walk, squat, bounce on a birthing ball, get on hands and knees and rock. Try every position at least once, and revist the ones that didn't work, because they might work later as baby moves lower.

Also, so much of labor is mind over matter. If you view the pain of contractions like a negative, such as with illness or injury, it will seem worse. Labor pain is the pain of a muscle (uterus) doing hard work. Like feeling the burn when running a marathon. Another thing to focus on is the "one contraction at a time" approach. If you view labor in terms of the number of hours you must endure, you will become overwhelmed and fear that you can't do it. If you view each contraction as itself, one minute or ninety seconds at a time, you can tell yourself that you can do that. I can endure one minute of pain, then I can rest. And make sure you do relax and rest fully in between. Don't be trying to make small talk with guests in the room, don't try to entertain, just relax, go limp, and breathe.

As for the rest of the birth plan, every woman says just about the same thing - you want the baby to be on your belly after delivery for as long as possible, start breastfeeding as soon as possible, delay the normal newborn medications for an hour or so until that first breastfeeding attempt has been made, etc.

Also think about if you want phone calls to be sent into the room, if you want all visitors to be cleared by the nurse first or if people are free to come and go, etc.

Good luck!

Check out the birth classes at your hospital. (call your insurance company - most reimburse for classes but they don't really advertise that) Some of the classes are a little broad and cover several types of birthing methods. This a great way to learn about your options and what options are offered at your hospital (for example some hospitals won't offer water births or don't have birthing chairs, etc). Also research the options on the internet and at the library. Again your hospital probably has a resource area in which you can borrow materials on a variety of subjects. Another option is to meet with a doula. Your doctor should have a list available. Most offer a variety of services. Some help with preparation, they can also be with you during the birth, and can even offer support after the birth. Once you are familiar with your options sit down with your husband. I don't know anyone (including myself) that followed their birth plan to the letter. It is a guide. It is your husband's role as birthing coach to be your advocate. If something comes up or you are too distracted to voice your opinion it is important that he understands what you want and speak for you. Good luck.

Oh good on you! If thats what you want don't let anyone talk you into the drugs!!! lol. I was the same I remember the exact moment I decided- I mustv'e only been about 10 weeks or so and a friend of mine was about 32 weeks she told me a couple of risks of epi's and I had no idea so straight away I thought NO WAY! As my pregnancy went on I found out more and more about 'the cascade of intervention" that can be caused by taking any meds... for eg if you chose pethadeen you generally then want an epidural which in turn can cause you to need assisted delivery(forceps or vacuum suction) episiotomy(aahh). I was lucky enough to fall upon the most wonderful pregnancy massuse who did aromatherapy and energy healing, also a lady that did some hypno birthing sessions with me and I listened to them on my ipod every night.. I was a bit overdue so had an accupuncture induction and went into labour the next night. My labout was quite long as my daughter was fairly big (and got an extra 6 days of weight gain) also she was kinda laying sideways instead of her back to my tummy.. I had lots of hot showers baths, walked around in the nud the whole time from when "real" contractions started, did a bit of yelling-not angry just releasing- couldn't actually help it, did a lot of leaning on my partner, eventually i had some gas which I didn't like so stopped when I figure it out=) There did come a point where I felt I couln't keeep going and wanted a c-section but fortunately they said it wouldn't be long.. Its all a bit of a blur but somewhere in there they had to break my waters because the bag was SUPER thick and was stopping me go further, and my massage lady came and helped me so much by reminding me to breath properly, eventually after lots of pushing my little darling started to finally come out! Her head was born and they realised her shoulder was stuck behind my pubic bone so told me to stop while the midwifes turned her around and then just like that I had the most beautiful little girl laying on my chest staring into my eyes... that moment was the most amazing thing imaginable!!! Even though it was so long I felt like I couldv'e done it all again if I had to! Thats the beauty of the natural hormones your body releases in child birth.. If you want a natural birth I would suggest you do a few things in pregnancy to set the mood, like meditation, hypno, massage, accupuncture taht sorta thing and get informed about pro's and cons of the drugs as if there is medical need for it sometimes we can't help to have them.. I was open to having something if I had to ceaser(obviously) but while baby was ok I didn't even consider an epidural. There are lots of benefits of natural birth that I think some people would prefer not know because it's "harder" but its worth every second!! and if i had had an epidural after so long in labour I would not have been able to push her out as the only thing that kept me going was that insane urge from my body!!! I wish you all the very best sorry to take up so much space lol. oh make sure your husband knows exactly what you want because in the throws of labour you can lose the ability to communicate to the outside world lol! Good luck with your planning and the rest of your pregnancy!!!

I actually just listed out all the pros and cons of the different birth plans and then decided which one I was more comfortable with. But I lost my first at 5 months and had to give birth to him in the hospital anyways. This time I am also going to deliver my baby if everything goes well in a hospital. Unfortunately I can't have an epidural because I have problems with my back so medicated is out because I don't want any other meds besides that and if I can't have that then it is going to be all natural. But my husband said if it gets too bad to just lie about my back... lol. But I don't want to risk it.

And this time I am going to take child birth classes and pregnancy oriented yoga to hopefully help.

I took a childbirth class offered by the freestanding birth center where my children were born. It was very helpful since it was geared toward natural childbirth, since that is what most people want in that environment.

I also read a Bradley method book as well as several other books on natural childbirth. I wasn't aware of hypnobirthing at the time, but I have heard very positive things about it from others since I had my babies.

You are early enough in your pregnancy to have time for a childbirth class of your choosing. Most of the major "methods" have websites where you can search for local instructors. I checked out books from the library so I could learn as much about natural childbirth as I could from various perspectives.

You may also consider hiring a doula, a professional childbirth assistant, to attend your birth. A doula does not take the place of your birth partner, she is an experienced guide who can help explain the stages of childbirth and common medical procedures, and provide ideas for positioning and comfort at different stages of labor. If you find a doula who matches your personality and philosophy of childbirth, this will go a long way in helping you achieve your ideal birth.

my husband and i did an all day birthing class and we really enjoyed it...i heard that they were a waste of time, but we thought otherwise...we learned the slow breathing and how to focus your thoughts on other things during the pain...my husband was an amazing coach...and i knew he would be great when i actually went into labor...

however...

when "labor day" actually came, that all went out the window...lol...i went into this birth wanting an epidural...everything happened so fast with my labor...i was 5cm for about 4 hours, so they decided to break my water, start the pitocin, and get the epidural for me...they broke my water at 6:25pm and told me it would be about 5 more hours...10 minutes later, the epidural arrived and they checked me...i was 10cm and couldn't have the epidural...it was time to push...my son was born at 6:53pm...about 25 minutes after they broke my water...the doctor almost didn't make it to my room on time to deliver the baby!

i was really nervous to not have the drugs...i'll do it all natural next time, though...it wasn't near as bad as i had expected...everything did happen super-fast for me, though...i walked from my bed to the wheelchair to be taken to recovery 30 minutes later...it was great...the only problem i had was that i got hemorriods from pushing too hard...i wish they would have told me to push a little less! lol...

do what you think is best...i never would have NOT gotten the drugs, if things would have been different, but i'm very glad that things happened the way that they did...

my husband also says that i'm his hero for having his baby without drugs! that's really nice to hear sometimes! : )

it's also feels really rewarding to do something that you never thought you would be able to do, like have a baby with no drugs!

congratulations! : )

Hunny, simply my possess private revel in. I spent see you later on a specific birthplan. I was once towards having an epidural to.Hours of study and discussions approximately nearly each and every matter involving labour. But ultimately NOBODY was once fascinated with studying my start plan :( and I had a few headaches and was once fortunate ample to be mounted to the epidural in time. I adored it. Honestly you are not able to think whatever unhealthy wilth the needle for your again and also you dont see it. I consider this is a Godsend. I had pethadine to. Whatever occurs I am certain you are going to be great. Just that I am no longer a large fan of the birthplan anymore. So lengthy as you realize and your help individual is aware of what you are going to do in distinct situations you dont want one. Goodluck!

Most of the dummies on this site are accidental pregnancies. (Although I don't know what's so accidental when you conceive a kid because you didn't use a form of protection.) The child's complete future is an afterthought and birthing plan is not in any of their vocabularies.

Anyways, cool. I'm glad to see you and your husband clearly planned this kid and I wish you all the best.

My wife and I used lamaze on our first child and the results....weren't real great. As soon as the epidural became an option she jumped on it and it helped tremendously. It was really hard, as a husband, to sit there and watch your wife in so much pain and be helpless. Epidurals are fantastic. On the 2nd kid, we did the epidural again. There was no other option. Both kids, 10 & 6, are happy and healthy. Good luck.

My birthplan went out the window as soon as i went into active labor....hahah. I wanted a natural birth but quickly changed my mind....i think birth plans are great but also great to be prepared for the unexpected.

I do recommend making a playlist of soft ambient soothing music. My partner put together the music for our birth and it was great...so soothing and relaxing...even the Dr and nurses loved it!!

GOOD LUCK!!!

epidural all the way....lol. my hat goes off to the ladies that can do it without it! my cousin just had her 3rd, without medication and did it at home for the second time, she would not change it for anything, but I will not give up my epidural for anything!