Birth plan useful or not?
IS A BIRTH PLAN USEFUL OR NOT?
I would say, “yes it’ very useful, but only if you approach it in the right way”.
WHAT IS A BIRTH PLAN?
It’s a plan you write about all the things you would like and wouldn’t like to happen during labour and right after birth. You will give it to the people assisting you during labour so that they know and will respect your wishes.
WHY MAKING A BIRTH PLAN?
Of course, things don’t always go according to plan, especially during labour.
You might ask yourself “So what’s the point on having one?”. A lot of people don’t write one just for this reason.
I BELIEVE A BIRTH PLAN CAN BE USEFUL AND HERE IS WHY:
You will learn a lot about labour and birth
First of all, it will let you think about labour and birth, you will start to investigate more about subjects you didn’t know anything about before or didn’t even know they existed. You will get a better idea of how the birth process works in general and what you can expect.
You will know how you would like your labour to go
Secondly you will learn about all the things that can happen and there terminology. So if they tell you something during labour you don’t need to go and google it 😉 You will also get a much better idea of how you would like your labour to go and will start visualising this, even when it happens unconscious.
You will be on the same level
Also, you and your (birth)partner or Doula will be on the same level, you don’t need to discuss or ask too many questions because you all know already what your preferences are. Your husband can talk for you when you are having a contraction or not in the mood for talking so you can focus on your labour.
You are prepared
And so most importantly when things don’t go according to plan you will be prepared. You will understand better if they ask you any labour related questions. And this can help you to understand why things go differently, leaving you with a better and more positive birthing experience.
You will be more conscious & empowered about birth
A birth plan is not there to be followed in every little detail, it won’t give you the dream birth you are hoping for, but it will make you be more conscious and more empowered about birth and will help you in making decisions at the time.