Keep your birth plan simple. Nurses do not want to read birthing philosophy essays. Simply create a list of things that are important to you. Use bullet points instead of full sentences. Phrase your requests or desires in a positive way; state what you want rather that what you don’t want. Organize your birth plan into stages of labor such as “During Labor,” “Delivery,” “Following Birth.” The hospital staff can easily find what applies to them if there is a shift change for the nurses or an extra nurse comes in. Some birth plans focus heavily on the atmosphere of the room, coping techniques, or baby care. It all depends on what is important to you.
Whispers of Hope: Nurturing Life Amidst the Shadows of Loss
This time of year has me thinking of a bittersweet story in my doula career. We had a client who was due with her first baby in mid-February. On December 21 she presented with preeclamptic symptoms that warranted an early induction at 33 weeks gestation. This client...
