As I get closer to delivery (only five more weeks), my husband and I were advised by my OB to review a series of questions and “what if” scenarios. I found a detailed check list on The Bump, which provided a great starter template. But you have to keep in mind; plans don’t always go the way you envision. So, play out a few different scenarios so you are not surprised, or caught off guard!
Here are some interesting things they brought up that I didn’t really think about:
- Do you want the lights bright or dimmed?
- Do you want interns present from the birth?
- How do you prefer to spend your first stage of labor (i.e., in a bath tub, walking around, with music or in silence)?
- During delivery, how do you want to be positioned (i.e., stand, squat, lie on side, lean on partner)?
And here are some really important questions to ask yourself and consider:
- Would you like labor augmentation? Do you even know what that is?
- What kind of pain relief do you want to use? There are a lot of options.
- What level of fetal monitoring do you want?
- After delivery, what do you want to do with the umbilical cord and placenta?
- What if you have to have a c-section. Read about options and recovery. You have decisions here too (i.e., want your partner there, want to see the baby come out via mirror)?
- Print out your plan and keep it in your hospital bag. It’ll be a nice source of comfort.
**Fun fact: Lindsay had her baby only one week after writing this post! Good thing she had her birth plan (and this blog) all set.
Written by our Founder & CEO, Lindsay Bell