Birth plan: Mental preparation for the birth

Only three to four percent of all babies are born on the calculated due date. They are almost always heavier or lighter, larger or smaller than determined at the last checkup with the gynecologist.

And also otherwise is valid with a birth: It goes almost never in such a way, as it the becoming parents imagined have. That is neither good, nor bad - it is simply natural. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, it makes sense to create a birth plan. Why? And what all belongs in such a birth plan. You can find out here! 

What is a birth plan?

Pregnancy and childbirth are an exciting time and event. Even the second or third pregnancy or birth is not routine for most women. Because:every pregnancy and every birth proceeds differently. Nevertheless - or precisely because of this - a birth plan is a good way to prepare you for the final phase of pregnancy, the birth and the first time with your little treasure prepared.

In a birth plan you record the ideal course of the birth. That means: You write down where and in which way your little treasure should ideally come into the world. In this way you can think to this great moment prepare. Individual points you can and should also with your partner or your partner discuss. Because that is, next to you and the baby, the next most important person when it comes to childbirth.

When you create the birth plan, it is also a good occasion to think about how you want to decide in the case of deviations from the birth plan. So it's also about working out a "Plan B"

What does that mean specifically?Also, if you are registered at a particular hospital, you may not be able to give birth there because the delivery room is overcrowded at the time. Or you actually want to give birth naturally in any case, and you are told during labor that a cesarean section must be performed.

In general, there is then no alternative, because it is about the life and the health of you and your baby. But in this way you have at least once thought about the issue in advance.   

Important: A birth plan that is well prepared and realistic provides a good foundation and source of information for your birth attendants. However, you should also know that a birth plan is not legally binding. If the birth tub in the delivery room is occupied, you cannot use it - even if you had planned it that way. And, of course, there will always be a deviation from the birth plan if there are medical reasons for it.

You yourself are not bound to the birth plan either. You may change your mind at any time - as long as this is organizationally possible and medically justifiable. And one more note: You don't have to create a birth plan. No hospital or birth center requires you to submit a birth plan. 

What belongs in a birth plan?

Before we get into the actual contents of the birth plan, a few preliminary remarks: The birth plan itself should be as concise as possible. One to two pages are sufficient to record the most important information. Around the creation of the birth plan you will certainly give a lot of thought and certainly make significantly more notes and jot down questions.

But all of this preliminary work does not belong in the actual birth plan. You can either compose the birth plan yourself or use a template to fill it out. Keep in mind with the latter option that you can simply cross out anything that doesn't fit or is relevant to you.

Here you will now find the most important building blocks that you should include in your birth plan:

General information

At this point, general information about yourself, the person accompanying you, and your attending physicians is included:

• Your name; date of birth
.
• Date of delivery
• Names/contacts of your practitioners: OB/GYN, midwife, doula if applicable, pediatrician (if you already have one - for example, because of a larger sibling), family doctor if applicable
.
• Wanted place of birth: which hospital, which birth center; incl. contact details
.
• Information about your birth partner(s): this can be your partner(s); but also your best friend or a close relative (mother, sister); incl. contact details
.
• If required: information on pre-existing conditions or other medically relevant health issues
.

Labor stage information

This is about both purely medical issues but also about things that can make your birth more comfortable:

• In which phases of the birth should/may your birth companion be present? When would you rather be "alone"?
• Wishes for the labor phase: would you like to lie/sit or walk around?
• Information on the desired birth position: lying down, sitting, standing
.
• Information on the topic of induction of labor / labor promotion
.
• Information on pain relief
.
• Is a water birth an option for you?
• Wishes about aids: Ball, rope (to hold on to)
• Wishes for clothing: private clothes or clinic clothes
.

Information about the actual birth

This should definitely include information about "Plan B". This is because a vaginal birth is not always possible or an episiotomy/perineal tear can be prevented

• Should/may your companion be present at the birth?
• Where should/may this person stand?
• May this person take photos of the birth?
• Wishes on the subject of precautionary episiotomy (to avoid a potential perineal tear)
.
• Secondary cesarean section: wishes in case a cesarean section becomes necessary
.
• Who do you want to hold the baby first? You or your partner / your partner?

Information about time in hospital

Whether you're planning an outpatient birth or spending the first few days after birth in the hospital, here are some items to include:

• Should your partner cut the umbilical cord?
• Should the umbilical cord blood be stored / donated?
• Do you want to save the placenta?
• Should the baby be bathed?
• Do you want to breastfeed? Are you looking for the support of a lactation consultant?
• Do you want a family room?
• Do you want an outpatient birth?
• Do you want to have your little treasure all the time you or would you also like to use the baby room?
• Do you want to have visitors in the hospital or would you rather enjoy the time with your child (and partner) in peace first
.

Timing of the birth plan

The nine months of childbirth seem to go on forever: Since the first positive pregnancy test, most women long to finally hold their little treasure in their arms. There are many milestones during the time of pregnancy: the first ultrasound, the beating heart, the first picture of your baby's face.

Reaching 30 weeks of pregnancy is another milestone. Because even though your baby would still be considered a preemie if he or she were born now, your baby is largely fully mature at this point. Many gynecologists therefore speak of the "Double 30": SSW 30, body length of 30 cm.

From 30 weeks of pregnancy, you can start writing a birth plan. Before you start writing the plan, you should inform yourself in detail about the points to be recorded. This means:

• Inform yourself about hospitals and birth centers
.
• Make - at the latest now - a birth preparation course
.
• Talk to your gynecologist as well as your midwife about open questions about birth and your worries
.
• If you want to: find a doula. These are not midwives, but women who accompany and support other women during childbirth without being medical personnel.

And what happens when you have completed the birth plan? Now show the completed plan to your practitioners: that is, your gynecologist, your midwife and, if necessary, your doula.

In addition, you can use the last weeks until delivery to prepare yourself mentally for the birth and the first time with your baby. Besides gathering information and learning relaxation and breathing techniques, a birth preparation course is also good for this: Here you will meet other pregnant women who have similar wishes, fears, hopes and questions. And a midwife who leads the course and can support you - also mentally.

In addition, you can do many things yourself to prepare for your baby. Surely you have already bought the first onesie or a cuddly toy. Maybe even the baby room is already furnished? Then now is the perfect time to think about the room decoration. This includes pictures.

At MyBabyposter you have the opportunity to order a wall design with your baby in 1:1 size at the time of birth. Of course, you do not know now how big your baby will be. But you can already choose your favorite design - then certainly the anticipation grows!

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The personalized baby poster at 1:1 scale to birth size

The baby poster from MeinBabyposter inspires with its timeless design in Skandi style. Another advantage of this design style is that it can be combined with different furnishing styles. This means that no matter whether you have designed a colorful nursery or have chosen the country style or prefer a completely different interior design style - the baby poster always fits.

But the baby poster is just not only a tasteful and at the same time child-friendly home accessory. It is a memoir of one of the most exciting days in your life: the birth of your child! On the poster is a baby. Using the online configurator, you can bring the image of the baby exactly to the birth size of your child.

In addition, you can customize this wall decoration with the date of birth, information about the size and the choice of color. Optionally, there is also the matching frame to it. And the shipping is free of charge.

You do not want to wait until the birth? Then order a voucher or have it given to you - for example, for the baby shower. Then, as soon as your little treasure is born, you can design the poster. A few days later, the "My baby used to be so tiny">poster will be at your home.

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Milestone cards: companions through the first year

And if you also want to appropriately stage the other milestones in the first year of your baby's life, then order directly the Milestone cards with. You can place these cute cards next to your child at the respective events and then take a photo.

This documents you for eternity how your little treasure looked at one week, when your baby slept through the night for the first time and when the first tooth came. The set contains a total of 45 cards. Of course, you can also use these cards as decoration in the nursery: Hang a line and attach the cards with small clothespins, for example, made of wood.

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