I had an unmedicated, vaginal delivery with my first, and in order to prep for it we took 8 weeks of private Bradley classes with a Bradley instructor (who also ended up being my doula – I blogged about how essential she was here). It was in our Bradley Classes that I learned all about the different stages of labor, how to time my contractions, and what a birth plan even was!
I discussed my birth plan with my ob about 2-months before my due date to make sure we were on the same page, and luckily, he saw no issues with what I presented. I made 3 copies of my birth plan and packed it in my hospital bag to bring with me. One for Mr. Heels, one for the doctor, and one for the nurses.
This was the final version of our birth plan:
Our initial draft was over a page long, and filled with jumbled bullet points instead of separated out into sections. With the help of our doula, we were able to omit obvious points that was already standard procedure at our hospital (of course, I had no idea what was a given and what wasn’t!). In the end, we tried our best to maintain the KISS principle with our birth plan. We wanted the hospital staff to get a quick snapshot of what we wanted, thus short sentences and simple explanations were key.
We went into labor and delivery knowing that there could be the possibility of things not going according to plan, but even so, it was nice to have a plan and a goal to shoot for. Although I had prepped myself to be okay with anything as long as my daughter and I came out healthy in the end, attempting an unmedicated birth was important to me. Being the planner that I am, I wanted to make sure everyone had the same expectations going in to minimize confusion.
I was so glad I had a birth plan because I never had to explain myself to the nurses. I handed it over to them as soon as I was admitted into my room. My birth plan was pretty much followed to a tee – I even got a perineal massage from the nurse because I really didn’t want an episiotomy and was trying to avoid any tearing. I was so grateful to my nurses for doing everything they could to accommodate my wishes and make labor as smooth as possible for an anxious, nervous soon-to-be mom.
Did you/do you plan on having a birth plan? Was your birth plan followed, or did it get thrown out the window?
Hellobee Series: Mrs. High Heels part 11 of 14
1. The Cautious Temperament by Mrs. High Heels2. The Case for a Doula by Mrs. High Heels
3. Confessions of an (Ex) Cloth-Diapering Mom by Mrs. High Heels
4. How the High Heelers Budget by Mrs. High Heels
5. College Funding with 529 Plans by Mrs. High Heels
6. 20 Questions to ask when Interviewing a Preschool by Mrs. High Heels
7. Korean-Chinese Postpartum Rituals by Mrs. High Heels
8. The Vaccination Debate by Mrs. High Heels
9. Mrs. High Heels' Sleep Training Story by Mrs. Bee
10. Our Peanut Butter Scare by Mrs. High Heels
11. Our Birth Plan for an Unmedicated Hospital Birth by Mrs. High Heels
12. You Need a Budget!! by Mrs. High Heels
13. Our Meal Planning Process by Mrs. High Heels
14. Pumping at Work by Mrs. High Heels
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
I think going into it with a plan but knowing things can change is a great mentality to have. Our hospital’s normal guidelines were what my birth plan was when the baby was delivered – let the cord pulse as long as mom and dad want, family cuts the cord, skin to skin time is immediate, if possible.
This got thrown out the window when we found out there was meconium in my water. I got my skin to skin time – just a few minutes later after the doctors and nurses made sure the baby was okay. We didn’t get the pulsing umbilical cord, my husband didn’t get to cut the cord. It was all okay though. We have a healthy baby and that’s what matters most. Also? She absolutely loves being held and has a preference for me…
persimmon / 1479 posts
This is my third and I have never had a birth plan or felt the need to type one out. Our doctor knows what we are hoping for in terms of delivery and I completely trust him him to recommend what is best for me and baby when the time comes.
grapefruit / 4669 posts
Wow, that’s cool that your nurse gave perineal massage to help avoid an episiotomy–I didn’t even know that was an option! (and I’m sure it depends on the nurse!) Thanks for sharing this.
coconut / 8279 posts
Almost everything I had hoped for was thrown out the window when I was induced for pre-e. I was happy that I only needed cervidil to bring on labor and that my water broke naturally. The epidural was introduced when DS was stuck brow-out and posterior as they tried to turn him. The only way I got my vaginal delivery was with an episiotomy – which I would take again in a second. For me the interventions allowed the vaginal birth that I wanted – I was being prepped for a csection seconds before pushing him out.
He had a collapsed lung and needed immediate assistance, so there was no skin-to-skin, breastfeeding or DH cord-cutting. The doctors did what they had to for both of us and we’re both happy & healthy. For a long time I’d go over and over in my mind what I should’ve/could’ve done to have a natural birth. I’ve finally just let go and settled with the fact that I can’t change what has passed. If we decide to expand our family, I’ll definitely plan on a natural birth again but understand that it’s just not in the cards for some of us.
GOLD / pear / 1845 posts
Pretty much all of that was standard procedure for my hospital/midwife so I never felt the need for a birthing plan
I did get the pitocin shot to prevent hemorrhaging as my midwife recommended it and I trust her judgement.
GOLD / papaya / 10206 posts
Our birthplan was very similar. I did end up getting pitocin almost 48 hours after my water broke, which led to an internal monitor on the baby but everything else went exactly as it should have.
blogger / persimmon / 1220 posts
I’m a planner, but I had no birth plan! Funny how that happens.
blogger / nectarine / 2010 posts
Mine was similar and I was open to changes as we went along. Worked out really well even though I ended up needing an epidural after 27 hours of back labor. I could have kept going, but I’m glad I did it and was able to lay down in a position I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to were I feeling the contractions. Doing so enabled him to turn and make it out vaginally, which was my ultimate goal.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
Did the perineal massage assist in you not tearing? This is one of my biggest birthing fears!
blogger / pear / 1964 posts
My birth plan was pretty much identical to yours. We stuck to all of the infant care portion, but the actual labor and delivery part flew out the window – I couldn’t have predicted the 36 hours of killer back labor or my weirdly shaped pelvis. Ultimately, I’m 100% cool with what happened – I still felt in control even by deviating from the plan.
grapefruit / 4311 posts
What are the reasons for requesting limited vaginial and external baby checks? Just curious since I know nothing about birth haha
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
@Alivoo01: I still ended up tearing, but I think it was mostly my fault – when I was pushing I was already in so much pain that I wanted that baby out asap…. so I pushed as hard as I could with a lot of pressure. 3 pushes, less than 10 minutes, and she was out! But I got a 2nd degree tear out of it.
At the time, I didn’t care though… I just felt this wave of relief!
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
@runnerd: The limited vaginal/cervical checks is to reduce the risk of potential infection (since foreign objects are going in you when it isn’t really necessary).
As for the monitoring, I was ok with some external monitoring (just no internal monitoring) – internal monitoring supposedly increases the likelihood of fetal distress and could possibly lead to more interventions (and increases your risk for infection). It also requires a slight puncture to the baby’s scalp in order to place the electrode needed to monitor the baby.
Here’s some more info about the different types of monitoring: http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/labor-and-delivery/procedures-and-interventions/electronic-fetal-monitoring.aspx
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/gynecology/external_and_internal_heart_rate_monitoring_of_the_fetus_92,P07776/
cherry / 226 posts
How lucky that you got what you desired!
I had a plan, very similar to yours, and my hospital had similar philosophies of unmedicated natural birth.
But it got thrown out the window at 38 weeks when my water broke and baby was breached.
But in the end, even if I didn’t get what I desired, I have such a cool wonderful little man to call my own, healthy and amazing. Through the pain & anxiety attack I had during surgery, and my tramatizing experience…it was all worth it for that cute little boy 
Turns out that the cord was wrapped around his neck, which is why he couldn’t turn himself, and drs said vaginal birth wouldn’t have been good anyway…things always happen for a reason. 
guest
Thanks, this was very helpful! I just typed mine up to take in to my next appointment.
guest
Despite trust in my providers and the birthing center that I chose to have labor in, I cannot help but need to put my personal plan down on paper.
It will help both my Doula and my husband be my advocate if issues arise.
My first experience got out of hand and I ended up doing nothing on the list of ‘wants’ I felt important. I understand that you cannot control everything, but I also understand that there are other options than what many medical providers assume is the best way.
Thank you for sharing your birth plan! I copied and pasted to my Doula to share!
blogger / cherry / 247 posts
Wonderful post. It made me nostalgic for my birth. Many of the items in your birth plan were in mine as well. I couldn’t help but feel a kinship. Most importantly, though, many women still don’t know they have the right to express their opinions on how their birth will go. Aside from clear complications or safety issues, the laboring woman and her partner should be in charge. Thanks for sharing!