If you are planning to have a child in the future, one of the things that you will need to do is to create a birth plan. Some mothers may say that they want to have a natural birth at home. Others may want to schedule their child’s birth and delivery on a specific date.
Creating a quality birth plan is essential to making sure you are cared for during labor and delivery. The birth plan may explain what you want, such as:
- Who you want to have present during the labor
- If you do or do not want pain medications
- If you do or don’t want the lights on or dimmed
- Whether you agree or do not agree to a C-section, in case of an emergency
Having a good birth plan is the key to having a labor and delivery that goes the way you expect. One thing that you may want to talk to your doctor about is if you should schedule your child’s birth. While no one can predict if your child will come sooner than the date you select, having a specific date in mind when your child should be old enough to live safely outside the womb may be the right choice in some circumstances.
Why might you want to plan the date of your labor and delivery?
Planning the date of your labor and delivery has a few benefits. The first is that it addresses any medical concerns you have, such as a labor that has gone on too long, pregnancy psychosis or other medical conditions that develop. Your medical provider may suggest giving birth earlier than you planned if you have a potentially dangerous or life-threatening condition that can be mitigated with early labor and delivery.
Another benefit is that you can guarantee that your medical provider will be available. There have been many tales of women going to the hospital only to find that their provider is on vacation or out of town. If you plan for a specific date, then you will know that they’re likely to be available. Since your medical provider is most familiar with your body and pregnancy, then it makes sense to have them ready and waiting for you.
Overall, planning for labor and delivery is a must, but planning a specific date is up to your preferences after having a discussion with your medical provider. If a birth plan is not followed or you’re injured because of mistakes made by not having labor induced, then you may have a case against your provider or other medical professionals.