Birth Plans

Birth Plans. Seldom does a birth go as planned. Is it even worth it to have a plan? I don't really have the answer but reading Girl's Gone Child today got me thinking about my plan.

I had a plan. Not a written plan, because I'm not that organized, but a plan. Mike and I thoroughly discussed the plan. So thoroughly that he wished many times that I would stop discussing it! I knew that I probably wouldn't be able to advocate for myself in the thick of labor and it was important that he be able to do so.

It went something like this:

No induction.
No drugs.
Freedom to move around during labor - birth ball, rocking chair, tub, shower, just walking around.
Baby on my chest right after birth.
Breastfeed as soon as possible.

One thing was written down. A few years ago I labored with a friend during the birth of her youngest son. This friend had no intention of going drug free but every time the nurses came in the room they asked "ready for drugs?". I knew that if I was doubting my ability to labor without drugs and was asked that, it would make me doubt myself even more. So at my pre-admission visit to the hospital I asked that they write on my chart "do not ask about pain meds, please". No one asked and I made it through with out the meds.

I should say that I made it to the point where they had to stitch me up with out drugs. At that point I needed some drugs! That's a story for another day.