Re: [ozmidwifery] Your thoughts on Birth Plans?

[Katy O'Neill]

Dear Kelly,  I like the idea of ' birth plans ' and encourage it when I conduct Antenatal groups.  I see it as a way to  have the woman and birthing supports give due consideration to all the options and give a credence to the fact that they do ( or should have ) choice.  Having said that, I get to see very few women who have made one.  Some colleagues however do not feel the same as they think it may set the women up to fail with unfulfilled expectations, and set ideas, not allowing for the range of possible labours.  The change to calling it by another name may give the midwives less concern as the word preference or intension sound less rigid than plan.  So I like the idea.  On a lighter side I did see a plan years ago that was so long ( 15 typed pages ) that I'm not sure there was time to read it all.  Not my women, but from memory, some of her plans were very fixed and not allowing for the vagaries of each women's labour and sadly I think not all went to her plan. I work in country NSW .  Katy ----- Original Message ----- From: Kelly @ BellyBelly To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 9:27 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Your thoughts on Birth Plans? I am writing an article as we speak on birth plans (I prefer to say birth intentions or birth preferences and hopefully everyone else will too one day!) and I was wondering if anyone would be happy to comment from a midwife perspective?   I’d like to know:   What do you think of birth plans women are writing at the moment What do you think about it being called birth preferences or intentions instead, What you like and dislike when you read them – i.e. too long, too unrealistic or whatever springs to your mind   I won’t put your name to the comments so you can feel free to be open and honest about it, I would really love to add your perspectives if you are open to it. Thank-you in advance J Best Regards, Kelly Zantey Creator, BellyBelly.com.au Gentle Solutions From Conception to Parenthood BellyBelly Birth Support - http://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth-support   __________ NOD32 1.1613 (20060621) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com