Birth Plans

At Private Midwives we believe that developing a trusting relationship with a known private midwife, you will be able to create a birth plan together that is suited to your personal needs, wishes and requirements. The discussions you have with your dedicated midwifery team and the decisions to which you come to will be part of the vital process of getting to know each other, so that by the time you are in labour there is an understanding which is deeper than words.

We will discuss who will look after you, the kind of care you would like, whom you want to have with you during labour, what your partners role is likely to be, how you would prefer your newborn to be treated, and exactly what you are hoping for with this birth. We will consider interventions and how to avoid them and alternative ways of coping with difficulties. We will have healthy discussions on positions and movements, how we can provide the support and environment to achieve them, whether you want to use the birthpool, your thoughts about episiotomy, the clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord and the management of the third stage. By the time you are approaching your labour, we will have covered every aspect and eventuality so you will be in a position to create a realistic birthplan, and feel reassured that your midwife will be supportive of your choices.

Birth Plan Preparation

It is a good idea to make a birth plan in your pregnancy to help you decide how you would like your labour and birth to be managed. One of the things you will need to think about is how you want to give birth. At Private Midwives we can offer you all the information you need to prepare a birth plan based on your individual needs, wishes and requirements.

How you give birth may depend on where you give birth. Although many hospitals and maternity units offer facilities for different types of birth these days, not all of them offer all the options. Your private midwife will be able to tell you what is available at the hospital or midwifery unit where you plan to have your baby.

We can support you to plan for the type of birth that is right for you. Some of the options that we can discuss and include in your personalised birth plan:

Active Birth

Having an active birth means that you will be free to move and walk around during labour and you can give birth in the position that you find most comfortable – like squatting or kneeling. You may also be able to use birthing aids, such as a birthing chair or bean bag.

Natural Birth

This means that you will give birth as naturally as possible without drugs or any medical intervention – unless it becomes necessary for your safety or the safety of your baby. You can use relaxation and breathing techniques to help you cope with contractions.

Water Births

Birth pools are in limited use in some maternity units, so your Private Midwives can find out whether one is available to you, or alternatively can support you with ordering a pool at home. see our price page for birth pool costs here

Hi-Tech Birth

This is when your labour and birth is controlled by medical methods, such as having an epidural for pain relief or having a Caesarean, which may be needed for medical reasons or carried out as an emergency. You can choose this type of birth, or you may have no option if your baby is in trouble and an assisted delivery is needed.

Active Birth Benefits

You are not confined to bed.
It makes first-stage contractions more effective.
Being upright helps your baby get into the best position for birth.
It is easier to push.
Gravity can help speed up the delivery.

Natural Birth Benefits

You have greater control over the management of your labour and birth.
You can be as mobile you want to be.
You will not be physically affected by pain-relief drugs.
Your baby is likely to be less sleepy after the birth.

Water Birth Benefits

Warm water helps to ease the pain of contractions.
It enables you to relax.
Promotes a feeling of well-being.
One of the many benefits to your baby of being born in water, is a more gentle entrance into the world.

Hi-Tech Birth Benefits

You can have reliable pain relief through epidural/spinal anaesthetic.
The safe delivery of your baby, if for some reason he/she cannot be born naturally.
Your health and well-being, if birth needs to happen quickly in the event of any complications.

At Private Midwives we formulate a birth plan to reflect your choices based on the following questions:

Important questions for your birth choices:

Where are you going to have your baby?
What kind of birth do you want?
Who do you want to be with you as your birth partner?
Do you have any special requirements to help you through labour?
What is your ideal method of pain relief?
Would you rather tear naturally than have an episiotomy?
Do you want your partner to cut the cord?
Would you like your baby to be given to you immediately after being born or when he/she has been cleaned up?
Do you want skin to skin contact straight after the birth?
Do you want to breastfeed your baby as soon after the birth as possible?

Would you like the placenta to be delivered with the aid of drugs, or naturally?
Are you happy to have student midwives or medical students present at the birth?
Have you any cultural needs that your health professionals need to be aware of?
Are there any language difficulties?
Do you have a special diet?
Is transportation to and from the maternity unit likely to be a problem?
Will childcare be required for other children?
What arrangements need to be made for when you go home?