14 Birth Plan
Description
This article is from the Birth Planning FAQ, by wnymph@FensEnde.com (Sabrina Cuddy) with numerous contributions by others.
14 Birth Plan
> This kind of stuff is probably what gives me the negative impression I
> have when I read most "birthing plans" that end up on the net as models.
> FOR MYSELF, I preferred to go into the labor/birth without some
> kind of rigid framework of rules like that.
The point that you seem to be ignoring is that you ARE going into the
labor/birth with just such a rigid framework of rules, regardless of
whether you have any sort of birth plan. The protocols of the hospital
and the doctor are what you will get. How rigid they are, and what
they consist of will probably be completely unknown to you unless you
ask. And you certainly won't know what is subject to modification.
The apparent rigid and absolutist tone to some birth plans is perhaps
explained by the difficulty of dealing with most of the medical pro-
fession. Doctors and hospitals are used to, and prefer, the passive
and accepting patient. Any questioning of normal procedure must
usually be done forcefully or it will be ignored.
Of course there are many exceptions, and everyone must do what she
feels most comfortable with. My personal preference is to stay at
home, thus avoiding all medical protocols for a non-medical situation.
If a normal birth hits difficulties and becomes a medical situation,
then it's time to bring out the previously-prepared plan. The plan
is prepared just as much to ensure that you've considered all the
issues and know what you want and care about, as it is to guide the
medical professionals.
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