Something that I had to tell myself over and over again before having my son, was that anything – and I mean anything – can change your birth plan. A change in your birth plan can be overwhelming, but it’s okay and normal.
Make a back-up plan. If you planned for a home birth but ended up giving birth at a hospital, prepare for it. Discuss with your doctor or midwife what your options are. Always have open communication with them. Make sure to have a go-bag packed. Prepare your little one’s clothes, car seat, diapers, wipes, and self-care items for yourself. If you planned to go epidural free but ended up getting one, don’t beat yourself up. Give yourself a pat on the back for bringing life into this world. Trust your body, and trust yourself.
Make lots of notes. Write down your plan, write it down again, and then write yourself a backup plan. Have a support person as well. Whether it be a partner, a parent, a grandparent, or a friend, it is important to have someone with you at all times.
And in light of it all, have fun and take every minute of it in. Pretty soon you will be holding your baby in your arms and all of the exquisite planning and headaches that came along with it will vanish. You are ready for this!
