Ok, I am working on my birth plan, and I have two formats that I'm trying hard to decide between. I've posted both of them in the files section: Allison - Birth Plan (List) and Allison - Birth Plan (Columns)

Both of them are still a "work in progress" and are not complete by any means (I even left off the 2nd page of the columns one because it was still a jumbled mess). However, I really feel like I need to pick a format and stick with it because I keep trying to update both and keep getting confused about what has or hasn't been done to each version. So, please let me know which one (columns or list) you think is the easiest to read and would most likely BE read by hospital staff. Thanks!!

I would use the list one to bring into to your doctor, it is more description and more clearly describes your wants and needs. I think however the Columns one is easier for nurses and other hospital staff to read and implement.

So I would bring the list one AND the column one to your visit (just to show dickerson the other format, but give him the more detailed one to read and discuss with you). I might also bring the list one when filling out admittance papers and have it put in your file, then I would bring the columns one to the birth to give to each nurse that attends to you.

I think the List one is well written and has clearly stated the overall goals and feelings you want to achieve at your birth. I don't see a need to revise that copy. You can continue to add to the column one as it will be what is actually used during the birth to communicate your plans to the nurses.

the shorter the better, if you can find a way to put all the information relevant to the actual birth on one page and maybe only have postpartum care on the other page, of the colum list. You might also consider having it put in a page protector or have it laminated. this will make it easier to keep track of during the birth, especially if you have more than one nurse attending you.


The only other thing I thought of was the phrases and key words you want your nurses and other medical staff to use around you. You have outlined what they should not say, you may want to inclue what words they can use.

Amy - thanks for the detailed input about the format of my plans. I had never thought about keeping both and using them for different people/places. I think that's a good idea. Unfortunately that means I'm back to square one with tweaking both of them together...haha! Oh well - it's definitely worth it.

I just think it helps to have the more descriptive version to discuss with your doctor, it helps to convey more of your personality, the one with the columns is much easier to glance at during the birth, so much would be unnoticed in the list version as it is a bit more wordy than the nurses probably have time for. If you had to go with one I would do the columns, and if you only have time to tweak one to perfection then I would make it the column one. The other one is pretty good as is IMO.

Allison,

Thank you so much for putting this up... I have been going over different options for my own birth plan and these are great examples!

Thanks again!
Lindsay

Allison, I agree with Amy. I think the list version is probably best for you to use with Dr. Dickerson and sets up a fantastic dialogue about the birth experience that you want. The column version is condensed, to the point, and probably ideal for nursing staff to use during your labor/delivery. When you do your pre-admission paperwork, if they would put a copy of the list version in your file so that it is already there before you get to the hospital, that would be great. And in the event that it might get left behind when you are heading to the hospital, at least there would be a copy already there. Dr. Dickerson could also probably advise you whether or not the list version would get read by staff during labor.

I really like Amy's idea of keeping the column version on one page and putting it in a sheet protector or laminating it. It shows forethought and respect to the nursing staff that you went the extra step to keeping it pertinent and condensed for them. And if they have any questions about anything, then you can always break out the list version.

Thanks again for the feedback. Here's my final version. I am planning on bringing it with me on Monday when I meet with Dr. D.

Sorry to chime in at the last minute here!

Allison, am I wrong, or are you high risk? Pardon me if you aren't! I didn't see anything in your plan about that; so I assume no.

Um, I still think it is pretty long and wordy. There is alot that is repeated. My advice is to try as hard as possible to make your birth plan one page, at the MOST two pages. What are the THREE most important things about your birth that you want them to know? Put those first. The rest they may not even get to read. For example, you have in there a sentence about taking photos and videos; you could definitely take that out.

I hate to say all of this, but I guess I am using my experience from my other fast-paced jobs where all they had the time to do was look at the first paragraph/first three bullet points/first 1/2 of the page before they lost interest or just didn't pay attention. You could also think of it this way, as an "elevator speech" Can you describe what you want in less than one minute?

The more simpler it is (one bullet point should only be one sentence long), the more seriously you'll be taken.

Just my two cents!

Jennybean

PS - I am MORE than happy to help you out with this. If you don't have the time to revise, I could work on it for you, provided you give me your top 3-5 things about the birth you want. I am a revision nut!!!!

Yes, I am high risk: chronic hypertension, hypothyroidism, and VBAC. I talked to a few people (doulas, midwives) about whether or not I should put that information in my birth plan, and most of the people I talked to didn't think it was necessary since that information should already be in my medical file.

I was planning on just using the one page that's now listed as the "At-A-Glance," but then some other folks suggested that I have two versions, one for the nursing staff and another for the file and doctor (since it had more detailed information on it and showed my personality more).

I've been tweaking this thing to death!! I guess my top 3-5 things are: no unnecessary or "routine" interventions unless there's an emergency, allow me to "do my thang" with minimal distractions / interruptions, encourage and support me rather than offer pain meds or ask me my "pain scale," and initial bonding and exclusive breastfeeding with my baby.

Jenny - if you WANT to play around with it, by all means. (You are so sweet to offer!) I can send you the word version if that will make it easier for you. (I love doing that kind of stuff too.) However, please only do that if you have the time and desire to...

P.S. My doula (Kaitlyn) is a L&D nurse at Woman's and she thought it was great as is. However, she also (obviously) loves and has a passion for natural childbirth. So, I want to make sure that this reaches any staff who walks in the door. (That's why I was thinking of JUST having the nursing staff view the page with the "wants" and "wish to avoid" columns and leave the other, more wordy, pages for the doctor and file.)

I guess my top 3-5 things are: no unnecessary or "routine" interventions unless there's an emergency, allow me to "do my thang" with minimal distractions / interruptions, encourage and support me rather than offer pain meds or ask me my "pain scale," and initial bonding and exclusive breastfeeding with my baby.

I would love to see you birth plan just say these 3 things. Won't it be great when that is all that needs to be said, "I want to do my thang!" - LOVE IT!

I agree that you should not include your high risk information on your plan (unless it is your beta strep results). It is in your file and Dr. D is well aware of your status. I would be afraid this would scare a nurse and you would not get the support you need.