May 12, 2009
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Momversation: Did You Have a Birth Plan?
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Momversation.com gained our first celebrity guest panelist. Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell asks the mom bloggers if we had a birth plan. Think it's cool that mainstream celebs want in on the mom blogger world. Note: Even though it's a homemade video, Nancy's skin still looks flawless. How does that work?
With my first baby we had a very detailed plan. We had music which never made it into the CD player, funny stories and anecdotes my husband was to use to make me laugh that were never told, requests to walk, sit in the spa bath & use the yoga ball to relax and induce labor that weren't used since my son didn't get oxygen unless I stayed in one position for 10 hrs! We were soooo prepared and never even pulled the plan out. We got to the hospital at 10pm & didn't go into real labor until 8:45am so we really just tried to sleep as much as we could between the random visits.
My 2nd baby came within 65 minutes of arriving at the hospital - I didn't even really think I was in labor so we left our bags (yes, with the camera!) in the car. My husband asked if he could run out to get it really fast & they told him "not if you want to see your daughter's birth". It happened so fast!
I'm glad that we made the plan for my first because it gave me a sense of relief up until that day. I'm a planner so I needed that one thing that I could "control". And it didn't bother me in the least when we didn't follow it - we left the hospital with a healthy baby. That's all that matters.
Nancy's skin does look flawless! I agree that you don't need a lengthy birth plan with boxes to checkoff. That's a bit ridiculous. But it gives women an idea of the things to consider. It is the birth of their child and they should feel in control and not be bossed around by nurses or their doctor. The few issues Nancy shared with her Dr and felt fulfilled with as her verbal birth plan left a lot out. A personally written short list given to staff, as well as the Dr, can also include whether or not you want the Hep B shot (signing the waiver), rooming with the baby, not allowing any formula or artificial nipples to be given, waiting to cut the umbilical cord. These may not be important to some people, but to others they are - and that is why some women choose to write birth plans. A plan is just that - a plan. Of course, if we need the C-section or need to go off the plan for safety of mother or baby we will do it. If you choose to give birth at home, you can avoid having a nurse look at you like you're crazy for writing down what you want. Pregnancy is a state of wellness and for low risk births should be considered. Midwives let you do petty much anything you want. They are there to support your birth and have no hospital bureaucracy or time schedules to follow.
My birth plan for baby #1. "Please do not cut my vagina". He didn't.
For pregnancy #2, twins (one of which was breech). "For the love of God give me a C-section!" Didn't happen. (Blessedly they were born within 2.5 hours).
I think it is great to 'plan' but really each labor and delivery are so different. You really just have to be prepared to live in the moment I think and have your partner willing to speak up when you can't.