Hi!  As a Childbirth Educator and Staff RN, I know those birth plans that
seem to roll off and go on and on seem to make staff frustrated.  I personally
could see all these expectations, realistic or unrealistic going down the drain
and parents feeling like they had failed.
In my classes I address birth plans as a means of communicating to all their
caregivers the things the mom or couple feel will make their births extra
special.
I ask them to wait until halfway through their class series to dare to
dream...because what they come to first class is not always what they decide on and
that way they aren't wed to it on paper.  I remind them it is NOT a legal
binding contract and the entire goal of the birth is a safe mom and baby and as
healthy as possible.  Then I let them know that staffs are not always entralled
with all their visions....and this is going to open up dialogue...so they
should make it as non threatening to staff as possible.
I ask them to think of 3-5 things that they feel that they want to see in
their births and 3-5 things they don't want to see....take to their caregiver's
office visit (get the last visit of the day so this person has time to go over
the plan and then for both to sign it...and realize that there are many
variables that can change in the course of a birth...Then I discuss my goal(s) for
them in class and it is only one:  For them to develop a sense of flexibility.
I explain it will stand them best throughout their pregnancies, labors and
deliveries and most of all parenting experiences. And then I let go and let
God....I get call backs from couples stating it helped them to relax and enjoy the
"ride"....
I have done this a very long time (29 years) and it took a few to develop
this state of mind...because I too felt I could control it.
Hugs to all,
Leanne Jewell, RNC, LCCE, FACCE
SFL

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