Creating a Hospital Birth Plan as a Birth Mother in Oklahoma
When you go into labor, and your child enters the world, what do you imagine that day will look like? As a birth mother, having a hospital birth plan in place will help your vision come to fruition.
But, what is a birth plan, and what should it include? Well, the good news is, birth plans are not one size fits all. How the day goes is up to you. Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is here to provide some standard information to point you in the right direction.
Importance of a Birth Plan
A birth plan typically includes a written list of an expectant woman’s desires for when she is in the hospital giving birth. It details specific aspects such as whether or not she desires a natural birth and who she would like in the delivery room with her. However, this list is not set in stone and can be changed at any time, should the birth mother want to change something or changes become medically necessary.
Despite that a birth plan can change at any time, it is still extremely helpful to have a tentative plan in place. It’s no secret that labor is a long and emotional process, so knowing what to expect and having instructions set in advance makes it a little easier on stress and anxiety levels when emotions become heightened.
Aspects of a Birth Plan
A hospital birth plan should cover multiple aspects of your labor and delivery process. You can even begin with whether or not you want to eat before you go into labor. From there, you can decide your pushing position, if you want a natural birth, or if you want a medicated birth. In other words, would you prefer an epidural or some other alternative form of pain management?
Adoption and Birth Plans
As a birth mother who has chosen adoption, there are some extra aspects that you have the ability to incorporate into your birth plan. For example, do you want the adoptive family in the delivery room with you? Can the adoptive parents cut the baby’s umbilical cord? Do you want to hold your baby? How do you feel about having pictures taken of you and your baby (and possibly the adoptive parents)?
While you are placing your baby for adoption, you still have rights as a birth mother. Your hospital birth plan is completely up to you and your doctors. No one can make you do something you don’t want to do.
COVID-19 and Hospital Birth Plan
COVID-19 has greatly impacted multiple aspects of our lives. For expectant women, one of those impacts is changes in birth plans. Policies vary from hospital to hospital, however, there is a basic outline of guidelines Adoption Choices of Oklahoma urges birth mothers to remember when creating their birth plans.
For instance, many hospitals are now limiting the number of people allowed in the delivery room. When choosing your birthing partner (if you want someone), choose the most important person you want to be present. It doesn’t matter if it’s not the adoptive parents — remember, this is your plan.
As it draws closer to your due date, be extra vigilant when it comes to your risk of COVID-19 exposure. While you probably are monitoring it already, contracting COVID-19 will have a huge impact on your labor. This is especially true if you want to hold the baby. Because so much is still unknown about the virus, the majority of hospitals will not let a birth mother who either has COVID-19 or is suspected of it to hold her baby until she has fully recovered. This is to ensure both your and your baby’s health and safety.
You Got This
While it is true that the day you give birth may not look exactly like how you planned it, remember that you are so close to the finish line and can do anything you put your mind to. Having your hospital plan ahead of time will ease your anxiety levels, and help you feel in control over an otherwise emotionally-heightened, stressful and amazing day.
Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is a private adoption agency, licensed by the state of Oklahoma and leader in the adoption community. We have been assisting birth parents, children, and adoptive families in Oklahoma for over 19 years. Our staff members are committed to providing an ethical, empowering, and personalized adoption experience to all involved in the adoption process. If you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.
Toll-free: 800-898-6028 | OKC Local: 405-755-1999 | Tulsa Local: 918-447-7777 | Text: 405-310-8790 | Email
Meet the Author: Grace Myers is a sophomore Digital Media major at North Greenville University As a firm believer that every individual has a story to tell, and a right to be properly represented, she loves meeting new people and learning their stories.
When she’s not writing, you can find her listening to music or cuddling with her dog, Sundae.
