Seton Baby Talk

I never gave the process of childbirth a second thought before I became pregnant. I mean, I knew that pregnancy ended with childbirth, and that there were two ways of delivering — vaginally and via cesarean section (unfortunately, “beaming” the baby out, Star Trek-style, is not an option!). But I never considered all of the decisions that a mother-to-be could make regarding labor.

As I spent the summer watching TLC’s “A Baby Story” and Discovery Health’s “Deliver Me,” I realized that there were a lot of things to consider BEFORE I actually went into labor. Did I want to use pain medications? How many family members would I want in the delivery room? What methods did I want to employ for relaxation (such as music or using a birthing ball)? I’m usually an anxious person, so I knew that going into labor without a plan would probably make me crazy.

Creating a birth plan not only allows you to have more control over what happens during labor, it also provides an opportunity for you to share your feelings with your partner as well as uncover questions you may have for your healthcare provider. You don’t want to wait until you’re actually in labor before considering your options.

Your birth plan does not have to be a formal document, but it is helpful to write out your choices. Provide your healthcare provider with a copy, and make sure that you pack a copy of your birth plan in your hospital bag. Keep it handy. If you’re feeling flustered when you check into the hospital, you can just provide the labor and delivery staff with your plan.

Things you might want to include in your birth plan:

• Which family members or friends do you want in the delivery room?
• Do you want to use a doula?
• What are your choices for pain relief (Hypnobirthing, massage, medications, etc.)? If you want to take pain medications, which medications are you comfortable taking?
• Do you want an episiotomy?
• Do you want to be able to move around during labor?
• Under what circumstances would you be comfortable undergoing an induction?

Of course, your birth plan can be as detailed as you want it to be. You don’t have to fill out a specific form, but it’s helpful to view sample birth plans. It would also be helpful to discuss your plan ahead of time with your healthcare provider. They can inform you of other decisions you can make beforehand.

Having a birth plan is great, but keep in mind that things may not go as expected. Be realistic about problems that could occur during labor. Having a birth plan will not guarantee that your childbirth experience will go exactly as you anticipated, but it will certainly encourage you to become informed about issues related to childbirth and prepare you for decisions you may have to make during a potentially stressful time.