jaiden 5min Birth 1083 by gregoryrallen
It’s starting to become very, very real: the bump is obvious, you are feeling movement, and you know that in short order you’re going to be welcoming a new member to your family. While you may be focused on all the fun parts (painting the baby’s room, picking out names, taking online tests based on Chinese horoscopes to predict your baby’s compatibility with both parents) the fact is that soon you’re going to have to push a baby out. One way or another.
Getting over the hurdle
Today there are many options for birth and pain management including:
- Home birth
- Water birth
- Epidural pain relief
- Episiotomy
- Complimentary & alternative medicine practices such as acupuncture and hypnosis for pain relief
- Induction
- Forceps/suction
- Caesarean section
It is wise to give some thought to the various options and research them to see what you are most comfortable with, then make your wishes known to your spouse, support person or partner and write them down in the form of a birth plan. While birth plans can obviously change (for example, you may want to tough it out, then realize you do need pain relief later) you can start by sharing your ideal birth plan with your doctor and then with your medical team (nurses, midwife, doula, etc.) at least by the time you are in the early stages of labour.
The birth plan is simply what you would like to happen and what you are most comfortable with when giving birth. You do have some say in the matter and you might as well express your wishes, bearing in mind that you may have to be flexible on some of the issues. For a free, interactive birth plan that will communicate your birthing preferences to everyone who matters, visit birthplan.com.
