During pregnancy, we prepare ourselves with all the necessary things for the day our baby is finally born: his clothes, the place where he will sleep, the things he will need, the suitcase for the hospital, and so on.
But there is also something important that all pregnant women are recommended to do: a birth plan. We tell you what it is and how to make it .
What is a birth plan
As its name implies, a birth plan is the document in which you establish or plan how you would like your delivery to be. It works as a kind of guide for medical personnel to know your choices and / or preferences for the moment when your baby is born .
The birth plan is recommended that all pregnant women do, but it is something completely optional that mothers can give to those who attend or assist in their delivery, and that will be personalized to the needs of each woman .
In it, you can include your wishes about the performance of certain medical interventions and the type of delivery you want to have , but even if they are written in it, you can state that you want to change your mind, when it is time to deliver.
The objective or intention of the birth plan, in addition to being a document in which you clearly specify your preferences, is that you are informed in advance, so that you can decide responsibly .
How to make your birth plan
It is recommended to prepare it between weeks 28 and 32 of pregnancy , so that you have enough time to plan it calmly, choose consciously and be able to have all the information about the delivery, as well as consult with your doctor any doubts that may arise.
You are probably wondering what is included in the birth plan, or if it is limited only to the possible medical interventions that are proposed or necessary when the time comes for your baby to be born.
But in the birth plan, not only is your choice about the procedures to be performed, but also a list of personal preferences is included that will help you have the birth you want, such as:
- The choice of clothes you will wear : if it is the hospital gown or nightgown or if you will bring your own clothes for the time of delivery
- If you want to have a particular setting so that you feel more comfortable, such as choosing and playing your own music , to help you relax and prepare for the arrival of your baby.
- Indicate who you want to accompany you during the delivery.
Regarding the medical, in the birth plan you should write down and specify the preferences about each procedure , for example:
- Pain management If you want to use anesthesia or not, as well as the type of anesthesia if you choose yes.
- The type of monitoring. You can specify how you want the baby’s heartbeat to be monitored: if it is continuous or if it is intermittent (every 20-30 minutes and allows freedom of movement).
- The use of support material for childbirth , such as a dilation ball, cushions, or a dilation bath.
- If you want to have freedom of movement and also to choose the position that is most comfortable for you.
- The performance or not of the episiotomy.
- The waiting time for cutting the cord or if you want your companion to be the one to make the cut.
- Skin-to-skin contact immediately after your baby is born.
- The immediate start of breastfeeding.
Once finished, you can deliver it to your gynecologist days before your estimated delivery date, or even take it to the hospital the same day you are admitted, so that the medical staff is aware of what you want.
Remember that the birth plan is a guide so that those who assist you know your preferences , however, it is not something rigid and you always have the right to change your mind if you wish, to have a satisfactory experience.
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In Babies and more | Guide to make your own Birth Plan (first part), The Birth Plan: that document that should be considered sacred and seems to be the role of the WC
