GainesvilleMoms.com

All of a sudden, I am hearing about birth plans. I am on my fourth child and my only plans ever were to just go to the hospital and have a healthy baby. Is anyone out there working on a birth plan?

I had a birth plan that went out the window as soon as I arrived at the hospital. I don't think I'd take the trouble to do another one myself.

Welcome, Jutho! You know, my midwife actually said the exact same thing to me: that she sees a ton of birth plans and they always seem to go right out the window.

My birth plan went right out the window as well with my first delivery. The second one, I noticed the Dr. barely even glanced at it, but kept it in my file. I think the best approach is to verbalize your preferences and desires and put your foot down if it is an important issue to you. (Keeping in mind the medical safety of mother and child, of course!)

I agree with hotmammahas4kids. Drs dont really take birth plans seriously. But the mother to be does. So verbalize at each appointment what is really important to you, and have your own plan and wishes handed to others that will be supporting you. Your huasband/birth coach, a doula if you have one, etc. Don't worry about having one for the nurses on staff either. They take it as seriously as the dr does.