Let’s talk about your birth plan

What is a Birth Plan and who is in charge of making it? 

A birth plan contains all the details of how you want to give birth, and the author is ...YOU. This article teaches expectant moms how to go about making their birth plan, and lists down details like which hospital to give birth in, who they want to be present during labor, whether they want an epidural or no anesthesia at all, who they want as their pediatrician, so on and so forth.

In a nutshell, a birth plan is a record of what you would like to happen during your labor and after birth which is then discussed with your midwife or your obstetrician. The birth plan is personal to you . This will enable you to understand your feelings, priorities and allay any apprehensions. This tool can prepare the mother for a safe and positive birth experience.

By the second trimester, most expectant mothers have a frame of mind on ‘how they envision their delivery’ to be like. Around this time, it is advisable for one to accomplish a birth plan checklist.  

Here are some things to consider:

Where would you like to give birth? 

While it is understandable to have apprehensions because of the new normal, it is still ideal to deliver in a hospital instead of planning for a home birth; the latter not being equipped to handle emergencies. In this time, hospitals have designated ‘safe’ areas for patients with known negative status. 

Before the new normal, we allowed the partner or a close relative to stay with the patient. Although we cannot do that anymore, your delivery room nurse, frontliner OB-GYN resident, and attending physician will be there with you. 

Which pain relief is best for you?

Childbirth is a physiologic process, and we want the experience to be as pleasant and positive as possible. In previous article, we described the use of epidural anesthesia.   

What type of delivery is best?
      
The birth plan is not exclusive for those who will undergo vaginal delivery. Those who would undergo ‘elective’ scheduled cesarean sections may also have a birth plan. They may choose the day and time to give birth, such as to ensure that the whole family is present to welcome the newest member of the family. 

Normal spontaneous vaginal delivery should be discussed in detail with the OB, especially for first-time mothers.

How about the baby?

During the antenatal prenatal period, the expectant mom usually meets with a pediatrician to strengthen familiarity. 

Can my partner be with me during delivery? 
Before the new normal, most hospitals allowed a member of the family to be with the parturient. Now, it is no longer advisable in adherence to infection safety protocol.  

Do we still do cord blood banking?

Yes, that option is still open. The pros and cons are discussed during the second trimester period.

The Birth Plan must be flexible depending on conditions at the time of birth to ensure complication readiness and a positive birth experience.
 

Reference

About The Writer

DR. CHRISTIA PADOLINA, OB-GYN

Dr. Christia S. Padolina is the president of the Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecological Society (POGS) Foundation Inc. It is the premiere organization of obstetricians and gynecologists nationwide.

It was a dream come true for her to become a physician. Her mother was sickly and she had so much expectations on the healthcare system being on the other side of the equation. She is a graduate of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center. It was there that she realized that she wanted to become an obstetrician Gynecologist. She does not mind waking up in the wee hours of the morning as she finds delivering babies exhilarating. 

Her subspecialty in Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology in the University of New Mexico in USA paved the way for better maternal care. She is locally and internationally known advocate for safe motherhood.
 

The views and opinions expressed by the writer are his/her own, and does not state or reflect those of Wyeth Nutrition and its principals.