Birth plan

Birth plan: What does it mean?  

The birth plan It is the recording of the woman's preferences and choices regarding her birth process. It is the planning and written information of all health specialists on the way in which the couple has "imagined" their birth.

The most important step is to prepare the couple during pregnancy with special parent preparation classes.

And from then on, beyond 30 weeks and towards the end of pregnancy, the couple discusses with the midwife and gynecologist the method and desires they want during childbirth.

Some examples of what a birth plan may include are listed below:

• Whether you will give birth in a hospital or at home and until what week you would like to wait, e.g. 42 weeks of pregnancy.
• If you want an enema and shaving of the perineum to be performed upon admission to the hospital.
• If you will give birth in the same room, without moving during labor
• Whether the room will be dimly lit with music or not 
• If your partner is in and if you will be able to take photos and videos during labor
• If you are going to have an episiotomy

There are several options for pain management: 

• Natural childbirth with natural relief methods using breathing.
• Epidural analgesia immediately, during or ambulatory!

The issue of a cesarean section if it needs to be done:

• Would you like to have a planned cesarean section or only if there is a medical reason?
• What anesthesia would you like: spinal, epidural, or general?

And finally, what happens after the baby comes out?

• Skin-to-skin contact.
• Breastfeed while the surgery is not over.

Another issue is exclusive breastfeeding and feeding. Whether formula should be given and when.

Women need to know that childbirth is a dynamic process.

Often things do not develop according to our wishes and predictions.

During the course of a birth, things may not go as we want them to, and this results in the birth plan being modified.

Everyone's goal is a positive outcome in the course of labor so that we have a healthy mother with a healthy baby in the end.

However, medicine evolves based on data, and for this reason we should know that the World Health Organization and the Midwifery Societies give more general recommendations:

• Natural childbirth is better and has fewer complications than a cesarean section.
• In low-risk pregnancies, continuous monitoring with a cardiotocograph is not necessary.
• The progress of labor is better and the need for analgesia is less if appropriate assistance is available.
• The mother's movement during childbirth accelerates its development. 
• It is important to have an intravenous catheter. 
• Perform slow umbilical cord ligation.
• Skin-to-skin contact with your baby immediately after birth is crucial.
• Breast milk is the best food for a newborn. Help and support in breastfeeding is invaluable in the first hours and days.
• We always keep in mind that it is a plan, but if something happens, the doctor and midwife will intervene, doing the best they can and judge at that time. Your safety and the safety of your baby always matter.

A birth plan includes many more things (that cannot be described in one article), but they all have their importance.

In rare cases, women come to our clinics with a general birth plan and insist on signing it, as is done in a contract, which can lead to aggravation of relations with health professionals. The best thing is a constructive discussion aimed at providing proper information and proper planning. And always remember that the gynecologist and midwife are your absolute allies in this unique journey.