When a Plan Comes Together

Having a birth plan is very useful. It's just one sheet of paper with a list of decisions about how we'd like the birth to go. It doesn't mean it will go that way, but it's good to have the options clear in our minds. A few weeks ago we presented the list to our midwife. As the scene starts, we're waiting near the midwife's room alongside another couple. 

Me: (breaking the ice) So, not long eh?
Woman: No, not long.
Me: And you've got your birth plan sorted?

At this point, W has pulled our sheet of A4 paper from the maternity notes. 

Woman: No, we're just going to see how it goes.
Me: Oh. (short pause) You know, a birth plan is very handy.

The woman looks blank and I wonder if my sudden advocacy for birth plans is appropriate.

Me: Of course, seeing how it goes is OK too... but it might be good to at least go over the kind of things you don't want to happen.

She nods but I don't think they've taken any of it in. Perhaps the midwife will tell them differently when it's their turn. We head to the office and, as we walk, I feel as if I'm at school and snitching on someone who hasn't done their homework.

Me: They haven't got a birth plan!
W: Mm, well, I suppose it's up to them.
Me: I guess so...
W: But the labour's going to be stressful enough without making last minute decisions on drugs and what-not.
Me: That's what I thought.
W: Just let them be. They'll find out or the midwife will tell them. Plus, you also have to remember that we really like lists.
Me: Yes, I suppose we do.

As we sit with the midwife in the office, I think back to one of my childhood heroes, Colonel John 'Hannibal' Smith of the A-Team. He always loved it 'when a plan comes together'. As the midwife approves our birth plan, and even asks to take a copy of it as a good example, we feel vindicated in our efforts (especially W because she put most of it together).