First time Mums- know the essentials for creating your Birth Plan
Carrying a baby inside your body is perhaps the most amazing experience for any woman, but there’s a lot you need to do to prepare for the delivery. Amid the apprehension and excitement, you shouldn’t miss out on creating a birth plan. It becomes all the more important if it’s your first time because you cannot just predict anything that would happen once labour begins. Proper planning keeps you and your gynaecologist on the same page and enables you to understand the expectations. More so, it also simplifies decisions if there are some last-minute complications. With a birth plan in place, you will probably be relaxed and ready to go through labour and welcome the little one. Here are some things that every first-time mummy needs to do as a part of birth planning.
Step #1: Pack your hospital go-to bag
Something as simple as packing your hospital go-bag can be challenging if you haven’t done it before, but this is where you get started with your birth plan. While you will need to carry the basics like comfortable clothing and personal care stuff, don’t forget to bring your favourite books and music. You will need them to distract yourself during labour and they can make you feel relaxed after the delivery as well. Pack clothing and essential gear that you will need for the baby as well.
Step #2: Discuss medical options and decisions
A birth plan also includes critical decision making related to delivery and baby care after birth. Involve your partner and gynaecologist while discussing options like the use of pain management techniques, probability of C-section, etc. If you plan to bank cord blood and placental tissue, choose a bank. Ask questions like How long can you store placental tissue, what will the procedure cost, how will it be done, and more. It is valuable to know your options and be prepared for collection if you want to save the baby’s stem cells for future use.
Step #3: Have a support team ready
As your due date comes closer, you are bound to get nervous and anxious, particularly if it’s your first time. Having a support team is a great idea- while your partner will be there by default, you can have your mother, a sibling or even your best friend on board. Hospitals often limit the number of people who can accompany the patient, so you will probably have to prioritize. Just make sure that these are the people you can trust to be there, no matter when you call them.
Step #4: Have your delivery room decisions in place
Another significant part of your birth plan is delivery room decisions. After delivering the baby, you will have to deliver the placenta as well. Decide whether you would want to do it naturally or with medical aid. At this stage, the doctor may also ask you about delayed cord clamping as an option. Consider facts like holding the baby right after birth, bathing and breastfeeding, and inform your choices to the medical time. Seek clarity about the routine medical procedures for the baby after birth. These include vaccines, antibiotic eye medications, hearing screenings, and circumcision.
These are the elements that pretty much cover a comprehensive birth plan. Just have them sorted out and wait for the baby to come!
