[acover4422]

I'm only 12 weeks pregnant so I know I'm doing this pretty early, but I'd like to start thinking about my birth plan all the same. I've looked at a few multiple-choice types, like the one on this site, but they bring up more questions than anything! Sorry if some of these are a bit gross. I'm guessing, since this is in the birth forum, that won't matter

First of all, a lot of birth plans have two options immediately after labour: I want to hold the baby immediately/have the baby placed on my stomach, or I want to hold the baby only after it's been cleaned. I get that, within reason, you can have pretty much anything you want during labour, but is there an inbetween? I know I don't want to wait around while they give my baby a full-on bath and wrap him/her for me, but I also know I'd just like for his/her face to be clean. Or, when they get the baby clean before they hand him to you, are they only talking about a quick once-over with baby wipes anyway? Can they wrap him/her up for me, even though his/her body won't be clean?

Then there are lots of things that I've never even given a thought to, so I guess I don't know whether they're something that's really important or just something people like to do. Example: the partner catching the baby is obviously preference, because it's not like if he doesn't then the baby will drop to the floor; whereas seeing the placenta might be important because of medical reasons.

So, with all of these, why are they on a birth plan? Even if they're just there because some people prefer it that way, if someone could explain why people prefer it that might help me!

- Cutting the umbilical cord after it has stopped pulsating
- An ENEMA? Good god! (Does it make you less likely to poo yourself during pushing?)
- Different levels of monitoring during labour
- Shaving of the pubic area

Also, I get that sometimes birth plans don't go to plan, so I think I know the answer to this, but do doctors and nurses tend to be ok with you changing your mind along the way? And is there anything that really can't change, or something that I have to specify as soon as I get to the hospital if I even might want it?

[dragonfly]

I think the only thing that you can't really change is if you suddenly want an epidural but it's too late to get one. Other than that so many things can go so many different ways that you have to try and stay open minded.
People opt for and enema because when you're pushing most women do end up pooing on the table (I did). Honestly at that point you either don't notice or don't care. The nurses and the doctors have seen it all and they clean you up constantly anyways.
As far and monitoring goes I believe it all depends on your baby, your labour, and your pain meds. For me I had an all natural birth so the only monitoring that I had was a band around my tummy so they could monitor his heartbeat to make sure he didn't go into distress.
I decided to shave my pubic area a couple days before I gave birth. (It probably would have been funny watching me try and it took a couple hours haha) With the bleeding that comes afterwards I didn't want to have any afterbirth getting stuck in the hair or have any problems cleaning myself and just felt like that would be easier. I know someone who even went to get a brazillian done beforehand if you want to do that too.
They won't give him a full bath before giving him to you but they will wipe him down before giving him to you if you want or wrap him up. The white stuff that's on their skin is actually very moisturizing so even if you get some one you it's good for your skin Skin to skin contact is supposed to be a really good bonding experience in the beginning so if you can get past the gross part that's always a good way to go.
Good luck! I hope all this helps