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-Denise, Ft Worth, TX. |
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Creating Your Ideal Birth Plan
Whether you intend for a natural birth or a medically assisted (epidural) one, creating an ideal birth plan is an empowering experience for both you and your partner. You'll notice I call it an ideal birth plan, instead of the more common birth plan. Why? Although it's beneficial to write this plan, we also need be willing to be flexible and in the moment during the labor and birth process. So, I inserted the word "ideal" for this purpose. Birth is a moment to moment experience, and quite literally an opportunity to practice "meditation in action".
At the same time, studies have shown that writing a plan, setting goals, and daily visualization for any endeavour we are undertaking helps us to not only to feel more confident, but create that which we desire! The most successful athletes are adept at this kind of exercise, and, you can be too when it comes to creating the birth experience you want!
What should your plan include?
Some ideal birth plans are pages and pages long, others include graphics and photo's, while others are simply a few words. Regardless of the formatting, it should include anything you feel will empower you not only on the big day, but in the days leading up to the birth as well. It should include the names of the people who you want supporting you during the birth, and any roles you may want them to play. Who will take photo's, for example? In my ideal birth plan my father was given the role of photographer. I knew intuitively that giving my Dad a JOB would not only calm his nerves (as he had never been invited to a birth before -- -not even his own children's) but, he would literally get some amazing shots! This proved to be true on both fronts!
You ideal birth plan should also include anything that you do NOT want to happen during birth. For example, in planning the birth for my second baby, Kelly, I was well aware (from the first birth) that when I have a contraction I meditate through it and need the room completely silent during that time. However, in between contractions, I'm completely normal and talkative. My signal to the people joining me for the birth, including my midwife, is that my hand goes up when I'm having a contraction and that this means SILENCE. Not even a WHISPER. I made this crystal clear in my ideal birth plan. As I have shared, regardless of our plan, we have to be willing to be in the moment and present, and unattached to our plan too. Kelly was born 45 minutes after I woke up at 12:30 am in labor, and the first real contraction literally pushed him out! So, that "plan" went out the window!
When scribing your ideal birth plan everything from your feelings on procedures from early labor to postpartum and newborn care should be included. And, I suggest that you don't wait until the day you give birth to share this plan with your "team". Bring it to a doctor or midwives appointment around six weeks before your "due date", and go over it in detail! And, have an afternoon tea get together with the others you are inviting to the birth to go over it with them as well. Speaking your intentions is a powerful process!
One of the biggies- --- Do you want medication to be used during labor and delivery?
The option of using medication to help ease pain is a decision that can only be made by you and you alone. There are a wide variety of medications that can be used during your labor that range anywhere from simply calming your nerves to an epidural, which eliminates all feeling below the waist. Your ideal birth plan should include whether or not you intend on receiving pain medication or an epidural, and again, be flexible. You may change your mind when you are in the midst of the experience itself.
The Labor itself.
Every woman is unique, and it's truly difficult to know what birthing position will work for you until you are actually experiencing giving birth. Also, all births are different. For some of my children's births I wanted to be squatting, and for others I didn't. I suggest you read about this topic and talk to other mom's about the many different birthing methods; see what resonates with you. Certainly include this in your ideal birth plan, realizing you may change your mind completely while giving birth to your baby.
What Happens Right After the Baby is Born?
If you are adamant that you want to hold your baby right after the birth and breastfeed her, put this on your plan in BOLD; especially if you are having a hospital vs. home birth. If you are OK with having your baby cleaned off by the nurses before holding her, be specific about that too. Either way, let your intentions be known. I gave birth to my first baby, Taylor, in a birth center. The rest were home births. At the home births I didn't have to negotiate my wishes for after the birth, but at the birthing center I think I must have described them to everyone on the staff, including my wonderful doctor, ad nauseam. I was very clear that I wanted to breastfeed Taylor right after the birth, and for no one else to even touch her, unless of course there were complications. They listened to my wishes, and pretty much left me alone, other than to be there to help me birth the placenta. It was a truly empowering experience!
Writing your ideal birth plan is an essential part of creating an empowered birth. If you would like more detail on how to write you plan, feel free to email me!
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