Answered at 7:40 PM October 14, 2009 by Maegan Bledsoe

I feel if I had had something written down, that kept me empowered regarding my wishes, things wouldn't have gone they way they went! As a doula in training, I encourage moms to have a plan, so when she is being pressured by hospital staff or family members, I can remind her, "You wanted to do [this]. You don't have to change that. If you'd like to think about it, tell them you'd like a minute to do so." A lot of things it is good for is when you're at the hospital where people start pushing "policies" onto you...and you don't want them. You also don't *have* to agree to them, just b/c it's the "policy" of the hopsital. No medical procedure can be done without your permission. Having a birth plan can give you the confidence to tell your providers what you want, and remind you of your goals.

Answered at 12:48 AM October 13, 2009 by 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!

Answered at 7:28 PM October 12, 2009 by HeatherKennedy

I didn't have a written birth plan for any of my three kids. That said, I did have a plan that I discussed with my husband, midwives and for the last two deliveries, with my doula. I think plan isn't really the most helpful way to look at it. I saw it more as expressing my birth preferences. There are so many variables that play into a normal delivery, let alone one with unforeseen complications like with my last delivery. Having a doula who knew my wishes and having a husband who was very comfortable with what I needed and with partnering with my doula is what helped me. To me it seemed more confrontational to present a written list of wishes when a more collaborative approach based on actual in labor experience is what worked for me.

Answered at 4:35 PM October 12, 2009 by Megan Albertson Fahrenbach

For both my pregnancies, I did not do a "formal" birth plan. I just had an idea in my head that I expressed to my doctor & midwife. Unfortunately, both had a lot of patients and didn't really pay much attention to what I was expressing. I wish I had had it in writing to better advocate for myself.

Answered at 1:08 AM October 9, 2009 by meredith winn

i had a homebirth and still wrote up a birth plan (i know they are often disregarded in the hospital) but i wanted one incase we needed to transfer to a hospital. i found it helpful just to put my thoughts down on paper. clearing my mind and stating my voice. even if no one ever read it, it was helpful to write (for me atleast!)

Answered at 11:43 PM October 8, 2009 by 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!!!!

Answered at 7:19 PM October 8, 2009 by 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!!

Answered at 6:25 PM October 5, 2009 by 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.

Answered at 5:34 PM October 5, 2009 by 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!

Answered at 10:30 PM September 25, 2009 by Beth Le Manach

I have to crack up over this one. While pregnant all I ever heard about were "birth plans" , and when I asked my doctor about it (who BTW I LOVE) he laugh and said here's the "birth plan" deliver a healthy baby and Mom. Kind of put things in perspective...didn't really need the Enya music after all. Bless this man, he helped me deliver a 9lb baby with no c-section. What a task master!

Answered at 8:30 PM September 25, 2009 by 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.

Answered at 5:36 PM September 24, 2009 by jennchantal

I am 27 weeks into my pregnancy and don't have a birth plan. Actually, I don't even know where I'm having my baby! That's step 1. I have a vision in my mind about how I want it to go - but I don't really see the point of writing it down for others because my understanding is there's not much I really can do to control the situation.