5 Things Moms Forget To Include In Their Birth Wish List

In a busy and chaotic world, we are naturally drawn to finding ways to organize and plan our lives. Particularly if you’re about to be a new mom. Whether you’re a first-time mom or a been-there-done-that mom, each birth is different. Having a birth plan can be a way to help you feel more comfortable reaching the end of your pregnancy. 

But, birth plans have been around long enough for us to know: these things hardly ever go according to plan. In fact, if you put too much pressure on birth to fit into a “plan,” then you’re going to be disappointed. Disappointment is not a great way to start out your postpartum journey. So instead of calling it a “birth plan,” we like to refer to these as our birth wishes.

While it can be beneficial to have “wishes” about how you want your labor and delivery process to go, it’s important to maintain an open mind. After all, it’s more about getting these babies safely into the world than anything else. 

Along with our downloadable Birth Wishes Template, we wanted to share with you 5 things that moms forget to include in their birth plans. Let’s take a look:

When making a birth plan, moms forget. . .

  - To take stool softener.

“I didn’t take a stool softener after my first birth. No one ever told me about the first postpartum poop, so I was totally unprepared! With my second, I made sure my partner and midwife knew my plan to take stool softener. It was the first thing I packed in my hospital bag and the last thing I wanted to forget. Since I made it a part of my birth plan, I didn’t have an issue with the first postpartum poop this time around! I felt like a veteran mom. I will always recommend mamas add stool softeners to their birth plans!”

When making a birth plan, moms forget. . .

- That we have a say in how many people are in the room. 

“There were so many nurses and people around me during labor and delivery. I didn’t realize until afterwards that several of them were students, and I had the option to limit the number of hospital staff present at the birth. I would have felt way more comfortable without so many eyes on me! Now I know I have a choice next time.”

When making a birth plan, moms forget. . .

- To specify their stance on episiotomy.

“I had an episiotomy and didn’t even know it until after my son arrived. I didn’t feel it at the time, but I sure felt it when the epidural wore off. I didn’t even get to ask if it was necessary or approve it. I would much rather have had a tear, but I didn’t have a birth plan and didn’t have this discussion with my doctor ahead of time. I should have and I regret it!”

When making a birth plan, moms forget. . .

- To assert when you want to hold your baby.

“I’ve always pictured myself holding my baby the second she was born. I had no idea that it’s common practice for the nurses to take the baby for weighing and measuring before breastfeeding. So when my baby wasn’t laid on my chest immediately, I thought something was wrong! Turns out it’s just standard procedure, but I could have asked to hold her right away. I’d want to include that in my birth plan next time.”

When making a birth plan, moms forget. . .

- To relax.                

Relax, mamas. If making a plan helps you feel more prepared and relaxed, then make a plan. But when you do, try to remember that they’re only wishes. Things change, plans change, but our love for our babies is forever. Your body is strong, capable, flexible, and beautiful. You’ve got this!

---------
What were some things you included/didn’t include on your birth plan. Did you remember everything? Download our checklist and share it with friends!