I’m a planner by nature. I like to plan things out ahead of time so I can have some of idea of how things will flow. I think it’s inbred in my genes. My dad used to even plan the potty breaks in our vacation itineraries as a child! So it wasn’t surprising to me or to anyone who knew me very well that during my pregnancy with Charlie I would be planning how his birth would go.

Unfortunately, no amount of planning can prepare you for the unexpected. While pregnancies and giving birth occurs daily, no two pregnancies are the same. No matter how routine or normal... more

At some point in your pregnancy you may wish to make a birth plan. A birth plan is a written outline of your wishes and desires for your child birthing experience. It also can cover what you would like to happen if common complications (like needing a c-section) arise. It can be as detailed or as un-detailed as you wish. Many women are deciding that they want a say in what goes on and have created birth plans for that purpose. It’s a simple and non-confrontational way for you to make your wishes and desires known. A birth plan is just a statement of preferences... more

You will need a labor coach or labor support person (sometimes called a labor coach) there with you to assist you and cheer you on during the labor and delivery process. Have you given any thought to who you might choose?

Your labor support person’s role is to provide emotional support and physical support during the labor and delivery. You should choose someone you trust and someone you feel comfortable bearing it all with. If you are still involved with your baby’s father, then he may be an obvious choice for a support person. But if you are... more

Ask anyone who has given birth before and I am sure that they will tell you that labor is not fun or easy! As much as you may not want to admit it, you need and depend on the support of others during labor. Of course, you will have doctors and nurses around, but you need people who know and love you there with you as well. As you begin to think about your upcoming labor and delivery, have you thought about who you’d like there with you? Who would make a good support person?

Of course, you have doctors and nurses available when needed while in the hospital,... more

I have been busy packing and preparing to go on vacation during my son’s spring break. We are heading to Atlanta, Georgia but I will do my best to post a little bit while away as long as the hotel has high speed internet!

Packing my suitcase reminded me of something everyone who is preparing to go to the hospital and give birth in the near future should think about: Packing your suitcase!

Somewhere in the third trimester (earlier if you are at high risk for early labor) of your pregnancy you probably should go ahead and think about packing a... more

You’ve written a birth plan, asked your support person to be on call, packed a hospital bag, followed all your doctors orders; things just seem to be going perfectly, so why shouldn’t the rest of your pregnancy and the labor and delivery?

Unfortunately, no amount of planning can prepare you for the unexpected. While pregnancies and giving birth occurs daily, no two pregnancies are the same. No matter how routine or normal your pregnancy may appear to be, sometimes the unexpected may happen, throwing a kink into all you have so meticulously planned.... more

As you begin to think about your upcoming labor and delivery, you should begin to think about writing a birth plan. I’m not talking about an adoption involved birth plan here, but a regular birth plan any expectant mother would use whether she is considering adoption for her baby or not.

You can begin writing a birth plan at any point in your pregnancy. It’s a good idea to have your birth plan completed at least by your 34th week of pregnancy. Your birth plan is basically just an outline of your wishes and desires for your labor and delivery and... more

As your due date draws near, you undoubtedly will begin to think about your upcoming labor and delivery. Have you chosen a support person yet?

Having a support person in the labor and delivery room is a great idea. He or she can focus on you and your needs. He or she is there to provide emotional and physical support during your labor and delivery process. You should choose someone you trust and someone you feel comfortable bearing it all with.

Some expectant moms considering adoption may choose the prospective adoptive mother as a support person.... more

Somewhere in the third trimester of your pregnancy you probably should go ahead and think about packing a bag with the items you will need to have ready so that when you do actually go into labor, you are prepared and do not have to fumble around packing your belongings. It’s also a good idea because you are able to choose the personal items that will make you feel more comfortable, not have someone else do this for you which could happen if you do not have a bag packed and have to head to the hospital rather quickly.

But what should you take... more

In a previous post, I talked about a Hospital Action Plan, which is a plan that expectant mothers making adoption plans can use to dictate how they wish for their hospital experience to turn out regarding things such as contact with their baby, if they want the adoptive parents to visit them in the hospital, etc.

But today I want to talk about a different kind of plan – a birth plan………

Childbirth... more