Whether you're opting for a home birth or a hospital delivery experience, having a birth plan can help many women feel prepared and at ease about the many unknowns in labor and delivery. We asked some of our readers to share their thoughts on birth plans and tells us if they had one (and if it did them any good). Here's what they had to say:

Aimee Giese: I did, but it went out the window when my son came 2 months early. It's absolutely great to have a plan, but it's also important to understand that labor is totally unpredictable and you may not get the experience you hoped for! The important part is the health of you and the baby!



jessicanew:  I had a Birth Plan. While taking Lamaze classes the teacher suggested to all of us first-timers to make one. It really helped to put me at ease knowing that when labor started I wouldn't have to remember what I wanted and DID NOT want done! It's such a HUGE deal having your first child, because you're traveling in unknown territory, anything you can do to be prepared for it is a good thing! Once I felt that pain, I got the Epidural which I NEVER thought I would do. From then on my original Birth Plan was no longer relevant. But know that anything can & will happen! Each delivery is different!!!!





Marie - Make and Takes:  Even though my midwife knew what I wanted, it was still nice to take the time out to write up the plan. Then you have it set in your mind how you hope things go. BUT do be aware that everything doesn't always go as expected!!



Heather Flett: I think it helps to have a loose plan in place so that mommy, daddy, and doctor are on the same page. But then, just like all the other parents are saying, it kinda all goes out the window once things start happening. My "non-negotiable" was pitocin. I didn't want it no matter what. So, of course I had undiagnosed preeclampsia that required pitocin among a litany of other "interventions" I had hoped to avoid. Oh well.



Marcywrites: Oh I had a plan.....did it do me any good? Nope! Basically the big question is 'drugs or no drugs' or more specifically 'epidural or no epidural'....everything else? It can be decided on the fly. However, if you are having a c-section (and there is always that possibility) you should have a Recessitation order on file. Horrible huh? But reality... Annddd pre-plans for banking your cord blood if you are so inclined. And if you are? POST a sign in your delivery room. People (nurses, doctores) they 'forget' to do it until it is too late. GOOD LUCK!



Barry: We had one. it went out the window as things went awry at the hospital. the no-drug/natural birth quickly turned into a highly medicated unscheduled c-section! i suggest having a birth plan but being flexible if circumstances change.

See Also:

-The Truth About Epidurals

-Should I Elect to Have a C-Section

-Secrets for a Smooth Birth

-Momversation: Did You Have a Birth Plan?