Do you do a birth plan?

dream_seeker · 02-26-2009, 12:57 PM

I guess the topic kind of explains things but I was wondering if any of you help with a birth plan with your clients. At the birth center I am trying to work at (I really think I got the job, but not "official" yet) it was mentioned that we all need to get together and come up with a birth plan templet as a starting off point to help with clients wishes. It officially opens the end of March. How many of you do this with your clients? What sort of topics do you cover in it? TIA!

amymaew · 02-26-2009, 12:59 PM

I'll help clients with one if they want help. I have them pick 5 things that are most important to them. I make sure they're not totally unrealistic - like no monitoring during an induction. We talk about flexibility a lot though. hth

doula Michele · 02-26-2009, 02:37 PM

Not a big fan of birth plans.
But i do make sure they know their options, and what they would prefer. But I talk alot about being flexabable and rolling with what comes their way.

MothertheMother · 02-26-2009, 03:12 PM

If they want to do a birth plan I will help them with it but I don't always encourage them to do one. I think if I was going to be the solo support person I would encourage the woman to do one, though.
For the birth center, though, it is a bit different. If the people who are working there want a woman to have one for their benefit then I think it is a great idea. There are tons of examples on-line if you are looking for some ideas--no need to re-invent the wheel, right?

FLLucinda · 03-02-2009, 06:55 PM

I'm also not a big fan of the birth plan. I will help them if they want one. I asked one of my cert clients if she had a birth plan.... LOL? Her response? Yes... I "plan" to go into the hospital and have the baby.

Garden Doula · 03-02-2009, 07:55 PM

I give them templates and pointers. Bestdoulas have a nice "tips" sheet. I tell them that it cannot be more than a page and it should just be the top things that they will not negotiate on. I also tell them it is more of a discussion-thing for them to use at their prenatals with their CP.

Unfortunately, at the hospital I've onlt seen a birth plan looked at once and it was as it was thrown out the window

(not literally) I don't see a need for one at the birth center. But I think it is a useful exercise, even if it isn't *used* by the hospital or whatever, it helps the mom/couple feel empowered about their choices and have a reminder of what they wanted/why they wanted it before their birthing time began.

Doula Mary · 03-03-2009, 08:21 AM

Yes, it's a must in my neck of the woods....more like "birth wishes"...cause you really can't "plan" birth.

One hospital/staff DO read and try to respect, if it's not too long.

Mary

Celebrated BIRTH · 03-31-2009, 12:43 PM

I am hoping to guide them to be able to create their own. If they don't write it- they won't have as much ownership over it. Just a thought!