Making a Birth Plan for Your Baby Bump
When your baby bump is just starting to show, you should start thinking about creating a birth plan. During your initial baby development stages, the delivery day might seem a long way away. But having a birth plan in place can make things a whole lot easier for you when your bundle of joy is due to arrive.
Take a look at some of these helpful birth plan tips.
Pain Management Options
When the time comes to deliver your baby bump, you can choose from three pain management options.
1. You can weather the pain naturally, using meditation, deep breathing, and other pain management techniques.
2. You can use narcotics, which numb the pain but have their own set of side-effects.
3. You can ask for epidurals, which will eliminate the pain, but will keep you confined to your bed.
Mention the kind of pain management you want in your birth plan. Add that if you want medication while laboring, you will ask for it.
Don’t Forget The Delivery Preferences!
Lying on your back is no longer the only way to deliver a baby. You can birth on your hands and knees, in a squatting position, or even in a pool! Mention your delivery preference in your birth plan and ensure that your hospital or birthing center can comply with your needs. Don’t forget the small details too, like who will be supporting you and what kind of support they will give you.
There are other options to consider as well- would you like a mirror in place so you can watch the delivery? Would you like to film the birth? Would you like your partner to cut the cord? These are all things you can mention in your birth plan.
Signed and Sealed
Once you have your birth plan ready, run it by your doctor or midwife. They should sign it to show that they have read and approved the birth plan. Make three copies of this plan. Put one in the hospital bag, one with the mom-to-be, and the third with the dad-to-be. Keep some extra copies handy too, just in case.
Be prepared for the unexpected. Sometimes the birthing of your baby bump won’t go according to plan. Emergencies can happen. You have to be willing to look at alternate courses of action. Remember that at the end of the day, the health and safety of mom and baby are what are most important.