"A birth plan is not a one-way street.
It's a map that provides more than one road to your destination..."
Destiny Soohon- Doula
You're about to embark on a new journey, take a map with you.
"A birth plan is not a one-way street.
It's a map that provides more than one road to your destination. Don't feel lost on your journey because you didn't bring a map.
Your birth plan is a map!
With a birth plan, you know the roads, no matter what detours may or may not take place. Instead of trying to navigate an unknown journey through roads you're unfamiliar with, you will have much more confidence when you have a map that includes the way there, and has detours if you happen to need them, and has someone in the passenger's seat, who can help you find the way when you [and your partner] need a hand along the journey [if you haven't guessed it yet, that's your doula!]
a peak into your birth plan: how you want to be treated, what you're comfortable with, your desires for birth, what you don't want, and how you want your baby cared for.
= YOUR VOICE DURING YOUR BIRTH
Why would I need a birth plan?
a birth plan contains your preferences, desires, and goals for your birth. This serves as a map during labor to help you maintain your desires/goals, including 'back up plans' or detours if your needs change during labor.
“It would be difficult to travel WITH a team that has a completely different map, but has the same destination, wouldn't it? We're not talking about random people who just happen to be heading to the same place, we're talking about the people who are supposed to be actively supporting you WHILE ON THE ROAD. If you have in mind what you want but don't have it in a physical form, it's going to be difficult to communicate that while you're in active labor, and have multiple different providers, nurses, and other professionals there. It's much more practical to come in with something that everyone can understand and go in the same direction, rather than take completely different roads”. Dr. Bill Chun, MD once stated "If you don't write a birth plan, the hospital already has one for you", and this is very true, BUT ISN'T HELPFUL TO YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL AT ALL. Your hospital has their own protocols, your doctor has their ways of doing things, but that doesn't mean that all of them will best fit your needs. In fact, trying to 'wing it' during labor, could very likely sabotage your labor. Why? Because preparation is key, knowing what you're comfortable with is key, feeling empowered to make informed decisions is key, your voice and desires being heard is key.
“If you don't write a birth plan, the hospital already has one waiting for you.” – Dr. Bill Chun, MD
Can My Birth Plan Change?
When you have a birth plan you're not saying "This is the only way my birth can go", what you're saying is "I know what's available to me during birth, These are my personal preferences, and i feel confident because i'm making informed decisions that i feel are best for me and my baby. I also have the map that i can use on this journey, and so will my birth team"
Now, this doesn't mean that those things can't change, but it does mean that even if they do change, you're fully informed about what that change means and can still have preferences that your birth team and medical birth team can be aware of so they can honor your personal wishes. This isn't about making your birth unfold in one way only, it means that you're walking into birth with a guide that contains your desires and wishes so that you and your birth team are on the same page and can work towards your goals together!
“It would be difficult to travel WITH a team that has a completely different map than you, but has the same destination, wouldn't it? A Birth Plan keeps YOUR birth team on the same road". -Destiny [Doula]
Okay, so I want a Birth Plan! What's next?
Great! You've taken the 1st step towards confident, informed decisions, and a map for you and your birth team. You can take another step by letting us know you're ready to make a Birth Plan. The very last step [and secret key] to having a birth plan is not just the birth plan alone. Let me explain...
The most important part....
Once you have a birth plan, the key is then, do you know how to use it? it's hard to use a map if you've never been taught, and even then, it's hard to bring out a large map when you're driving. it helps to have someone in the passenger seat [your doula] She knows the map, roads, and detours [+ a few shortcuts!]. a map is great to have on hand, but so is having tools in your pocket that you know how to use [techniques]. a birth plan lays out your DESIRES, and that's great to know, BUT having a doula during pregnancy to walk you through the ways you can actually make your birth plan a REALITY AND having her there to help you use the map and navigate the road, is probably the best kept secret!
Birth Plan Q & A
Do I need a birth plan if I'm having a...
Yes! No matter what kind of birth you're planning for, it's always a good idea to have a birth plan. tHIS INCLUDES C-SECTIONS, HOSPITAL BIRTHS, PLANNED MEDICAL BIRTHS, NATURAL BIRTHS, AND IN HOME BIRTHS. nO MATTER WHAT, YOU DESERVE TO HAVE A VOICE IN YOUR BIRTH and voice your preferences. I would stress the need for a birth plan if you are planning to have a natural birth in a hospital as well.
Can the Birth Plan change?
a birth plan's job is to provide guidance, for your individual needs/desires, not limitation. It provides detours, meaning, if you plan for a natural birth, you should have natural techniques ready to use for comfort/pain management, and to help you keep progressing in labor. but if one thing doesn't work, we can take a minor detour and try another technique. and if for any reason [you decide to use it or it's needing for a medical reason] we can take another detour and use a medical intervention. it's helpful to understand that birth plans include the possibility of detours. you can still have prefernces/desires about how you want to be treated and what you're comfortable with during these medical procedures/interventions listed on your plan.
Can't I just get an epidural? Why is all this planning necessary?
Whether or not you want an epidural is up to you! We support moms who have epidurals, as well as moms who have natural births...but there's something you should know...reliying on one form of pain management isn't in your best interest. That doesn't mean that you can't get an epidural! it means that 10% of epidurals don't actually work for some moms, and if that just happened to be your case, wouldn't you want to have more tools and techniques in your pocket to help you manage pain and labor strong? We believe that you deserve to have all the tools available to you, and that includes techniques that work with your body whether or not you have an epidural.
What if I just want a Birth Plan alone?
we are here for moms who want just one of our services or all of them! we're here to serve you, and your needs. while we strongly encourage you to consider having a doula, we also provide birth plans alone, with or without our other services.
Question 5. Loading...