Pregnancy Week 36- The Birth Plan

The term “Birth Plan” is actually a fairly new concept to me- as is much of what I’ve recently learned about having and rearing babies. It’s amazing how much information  you can learn in a short period of time when you’re looking in the right place. But more on that another post.

So what is a ‘Birth Plan’?  From what I gather, it’s something you’re supposed to write out that gives details on what you want to happen and what you don’t want to happen during your child’s birth. It was always said it’s something you’re supposed to take to the hospital with you so everyone involved can know what your wants are.

Now, here’s what never made sense to me, and why I never bothered with a “Birth Plan”, I’m supposed to write out what I want and don’t want and take it to the hospital with me when I go into labor, right? WHO on earth is going to bother reading it? I mean, really, I’m rushing around, contracting, in labor, in pain, getting undressed, getting set up, the nurses getting everything together, scrambling to get my paperwork, get whatever stuff they need to get set up for monitors, getting their charts started, calling the doctor on call blah blah blah…. Do I REALLY expect one of them to stop everything to read this stupid list I have written out?
Now, maybe I’m mistaken, but it seems like all of this stuff SHOULD be worked out with the OB oh, I don’t know, BEFORE it’s time to do everything? Like, maybe around this time frame that I’m in right now, there should be a ‘standardized’ yes/no/only if necessary list to be filled out and discussed between the two. Something quick and easy that can go into mom’s chart, so when it IS time for her to go into labor, anyone can glance at it quickly and know exactly what not to do.

Epidural- yes/no
Fetal Heartbeat/ Contraction monitors - yes/no  (You know, those annoying bands they wrap around your waist that continually monitor the heart rate of the baby and contractions, and sends of highly irritating alarms when you move just wrong and the monitors lose what they’re watching out for)
IV- yes/no (yes, this SHOULD be an option)
Vitamin K shot for baby- yes/no (I’ve only recently learned about this little thing they sneak in there without consent.)
Immediately cut cord- yes/no

Things like that.
I mean, after all, we, as moms, spend anywhere from 3-9 months thinking about these things, if we’re aware of our options that is. I think it would be nice if OBs would do a run down on what to expect during delivery as well. That would be nice and helpful. I mean, I know and understand that not everything can be planned out. Things happen, emergencies happen, but at least having an idea of what would happen in a smooth, routine delivery would be better than the absolutely nothing they do now.

I have NOTHING against OBs. I have NOTHING against hospital births. I’ve done it 4 times. As a matter of fact, you probably don’t want to hear my opinion on midwives. I’ve always had good experiences, and wonderful doctors and nurses. 2 nurses actually saved my son’s life when he came before the doctor got there and was born not breathing. But I think there may have been a few things I would have changed, had I known I had the options. That’s not to say I didn’t get what I want- I had vaginal births with my husband by my side. No epidurals or pain meds. And my last delivery my daughter was in the room as well. I can honestly say all 4 deliveries were good experiences.

That being said, I’ve recently learned about homebirths. My friend, Shanna’s, was actually the first I’d ever heard of. I wasn’t completely shocked, but it was just never something I’d even thought about. In the same way I’d just never even thought about to or not to breastfeed, to or not to cloth diaper… breastfeeding, hospital births, and disposable diapers were just ‘what you do’.

But the more I heard about homebirths the more interested I was. 3 out of 4 of my deliveries were inductions. Because I lived so far away from the hospital, it was a safety concern. Nobody wants to have their baby on the side of the highway. I had considered that this delivery would be the same as all the rest- induced in a hospital.  And then I started thinking more about home births.

Initially I didn't plan on one. I toyed with the idea in my head and considered it an option, but never figured I'd convince Mr. Prewitt to support me. I really didn't PLAN on anything. It was late January before I even called an OB. Had hubby not needed FMLA I probably wouldn't have even done that- despite his fairly regular nagging. I just didn’t feel like dealing with it. I hate having to find new doctors, and I was I the situation that I had to. My last OB left the city about 4 weeks after Tommy was born, and he had a private practice, so I was stuck.

But even with a new OB, a homebirth was still on my mind. I hadn’t discussed it with hubs, because even when I touched on the subject a few times, he gave me the crazy eyes.
Finally I asked him, “why don’t you want me to have a homebirth?” And we had a nice little discussion about it. Initially he was scared to death. My one, and only, non-induced, all natural birth didn’t go well. Both Nicky and I almost didn’t make it out of that one alive. So I can understand his fears. What if it happens again and I’m 1 ½ hours from the hospital? It was a possibility. Something bad COULD happen.
On the other hand, I was tired of being poked and prodded. I was tired of having monitors stuck to my belly. I was tired of pitocin drips and ice chips. I’ve done it 3 times, I want to try something new. Especially considering we’ve decided this is our last baby. I’ve changed a lot of the ways I parent in the last 8 years, and everything has managed to work out well. Why not change how we bring our child into the world?

The thing I said that I think finally really changed his mind was- you’ll be the first person to touch our baby. That really got him.

So, what’s my birth plan?

I want my mattress on the floor in the big play room, with my babies all around me and love in the air.
I want my husband there to deliver 7 and be the first person with his hands on the baby.
I want ALL of my children to witness the miracle of childbirth and get to snuggle their new sibling without anyone’s concern but hubby’s and my own.

I want this to be the best, most memorable, and the most different birth than I’ve ever had before.

I can’t wait.