Plan and prepare, but be flexible
ROCKWALL,TX. (August 25, 2014) Recently I came across a six page “birthing plan” and wondered, ‘How did I ever deliver my three babies without one?’
I understand that times change and I certainly noticed changes in the nine years separating my first and third children, but I was amazed by some of the questions and options this birthing plan offered.
It spelled out not only whether an epidural was preferred, but also whether everyone in the room should speak in hushed voices or even speak at all.
It also provided instructions on whether or not to provide vaccinations or other routine medical treatments (often required by the state health department) for healthy newborns. That is what surprised me most of all – were all of these options really, um, optional?
I decided to go straight to the experts – the Labor & Delivery nurses at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall – to see what they had to say about birthing plans. Specifically I wanted to know the answers to three questions:
1. Are there really that many options during childbirth?
2. Is a birthing plan helpful?
3. What would be the most important things to plan for?
The consensus was to keep your birthing plan simple – perhaps limiting it to just one page. They all agreed that “there are options and this is the birth of their baby”, so it is very important to discuss your wishes with your obstetrician and the hospital staff in advance of delivery. This is a very exciting time, but there is always the chance that situations may become tense and flexibility may become necessary.
The best thing about having a birthing plan is that it allows you to think about all that goes into childbirth, much of which you may never have considered. But, the most important thing to remember is that these should be just an outline.
As the nurses shared, you need to remain flexible with the understanding that the medical staff has the goal of providing the best and safest care possible for mom and baby. If your plan interferes with that goal, you should be agreeable to any last minute change for the health and safety of your growing family.
Texas Health Rockwall offers tours of the Labor & Delivery department with an opportunity to ask questions and speak to the nursing staff. For more information, call 469-698-1650.
Submitted by Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall. Their Good Health guest columns cover a variety of topics at BlueRibbonNews.com.
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