Why having a Birth Plan is Advisable

Upon finding out that you are pregnant, you will have imprinted in your mind a series of pregnancy milestones to reach as time passes, and this will continue long after your beautiful bouncing baby is born. Perhaps the milestone which will never be far from your mind from the outset is the BIG DAY, that is, the Birth Date itself.

Once you are able to contemplate the day without quaking at the knees, it is important to realise that as a soon-to-be mother, you have CHOICES. Whoever you are, you are most likely to visualise the birth and recognise that you have preferences as to how/where/with whom it would ideally occur.

The purpose of a Birth Plan is to clearly set out your preferences for one of, if not, the most important day of your life. The Birth Plan is yours - it is what you want to happen for you and your baby. Your birth plan can include:

• Your personal information related to the birth (due date, place of delivery, special needs)
  
• Your labour options (choices for pain relief, alternative therapies, who will be present)
• Your delivery choices (birth pool, position, medical intervention decisions)
• Your preferences if a Cesarian becomes necessary (who holds Baby first, who attends)
• Your post-delivery choices (cutting umbilical cord, stay in hospital, private room)

Since every mother-to-be is different, birth plans differ for every family. Other variables include the facility in which you are going to give birth, some common options in one hospital will not be available in others and your individual situation, for example, your health or religion may dictate some choices for you.

It is essential to recognise that within your birth plan, there must be flexibility. An event which arises unexpectedly and puts in danger you or your unborn baby should, of course, be taken into consideration. You, as the new mother, have a myriad of choices, but doctors, as medical staff, have an obligation to do whatever is necessary in the event of an emergency.

Ideally, your birth plan will be drafted in conjunction with your partner and family but this is not always the case and indeed, it is not essential. It should not become a matter for dispute since you, the mother, need to be perfectly happy with the decisions you are making for this all-important day.

Finally, your birth plan will be kept with you at all times during the latter stages of your pregnancy and, of course, distributed to your practitioners in advance of the event.

Good planning, mums!