After all the weeks of anticipation and planning, your big day is finally here. At the end of this journey you will get to hold your baby that has been kicking away inside you for months and months.
When preparing for labour, a birth plan is a way for you to highlight particular requests that you may have for your labour and birth. You do not have to have a birth plan – our aim is for you to have as natural a birth as possible. However, once you have completed your parent education classes, you may wish to make a birth plan.
The midwife will keep you informed about how your labour is progressing and give you an indication of how long your labour might last. The midwife will discuss options and choices for labour with you. If you have made a birth plan, please let the midwife know.
There is no way to accurately predict when labour will actually start; what we do know is that first time mothers are more likely to go over 40 weeks. It is important not to get exhausted in the early part of labour so rest is very important. And don’t forget to eat!
The Rotunda Hospital has a FREEPHONE telephone service – 1800 522 687, which provides information to women throughout their pregnancy, including at the onset of labour. You will also have the option to speak to a midwife, if necessary.