Top 5 Reasons a Birth Plan Doesn’t Go as Expected (And How to Avoid Them!)

When you plan for an out-of-hospital birth in Miami, you are hoping to avoid unnecessary interventions, like Pitocin or an epidural. However, some birthing parents find themselves exhausted before they’re even in active labor and end up going to the hospital for pain relief or other medical help.

Of course, we recognize birth is fluid and unpredictable. Labor is a unique collaboration between you and your baby, and it’s not something you can force or control. We support clients who decide to transfer to the hospital, but sometimes parents feel immense disappointment when their birth plan doesn’t go as expected. In fact, research shows the gap between a parent’s expectations and the actual birth can lead to feelings of failure and may increase the risk for postpartum depression and anxiety.

We want to help you have the birth you desire. Therefore, we are sharing the top 5 reasons a birth plan doesn’t go expected — and how to avoid them.

You’re Not in Labor Yet

If you aren’t more than a week past your due date, we don’t recommend that you do anything to naturally induce labor. As you approach your due date, we’ll start discussing natural induction methods and let you know when it’s appropriate to try them.

Once you reach your due date, you’ll go for a biophysical profile and non-stress test to ensure you and your baby are still healthy. If there’s a medical reason to naturally induce labor, we may suggest it at that time. Otherwise, doing things to try to get labor going when your body isn’t ready is not helpful and can put your birth plan in jeopardy.

You’re Having Irregular Contractions

Having contractions does not necessarily mean you’re in labor. Did you know that your uterus contracts throughout your entire pregnancy? However, you notice contractions more at the end of pregnancy. Oftentimes, these surges are irregular and will go away with a change of position, sleep, or food. You might hear these inconsistent contractions called Braxton Hicks, false labor, prodromal labor, or practice contractions.

The bottom line is — if your cervix is not opening, you are not in labor. This is important, especially for those planning an out-of-hospital birth in Miami. If you think all contractions equal labor, you may end up increasing unproductive, painful contractions by using home remedies, all while avoiding sleep and anxiously assuming that you’re progressing. If you’ve been contracting and thinking you’ve been working hard when labor hasn’t really started, you might find yourself exhausted. This can lead to an unexpected hospital birth with an epidural and Pitocin.

You Do Too Much in Early Labor

Early labor is when the cervix opens to about 3-4 centimeters. During this time, most birthing parents will experience contractions in a regular pattern. Because these early contractions feel manageable — you will be able to talk and walk through them — some expectant parents want to move things along by walking, lunging, and squatting. Being exhausted is a major birth plan disruptor.

It’s understandable that you want to get through the hard part and meet your baby! But, unless there’s a medical reason to try to speed up labor, we recommend rest during early labor. Your contractions will still be far enough apart that you can probably fall asleep between them. At the very least, lie down and rest while you can. Once active labor comes, you will need your energy. Hydrate, rest, and keep living life! Trust your body.

You Don’t Nourish Your Body During Labor

When you’re in labor, it’s crucial to give your body the nourishment it needs. We encourage you to eat and drink as needed before you arrive at the birth center, and we support you as you continue to fuel your body during labor at Magnolia. But don’t just grab anything. Choose foods that have protein because they will give you the long-term energy you need.

As labor progresses, you may not feel like eating. In fact, some birthing parents get nauseous during the transition, which is the hardest part of labor when the cervix dilates from 7-10 centimeters. If you are feeling tired, good options to combat exhaustion are honey sticks, electrolyte drinks, and coconut water. Staying hydrated and fueled with real foods and healthy beverages will help you carry through with your birth plan.

You Don’t Educate Yourself

At Magnolia, exhaustion is the most common birth plan disruptor for first-time parents attempting out-of-hospital birth in Miami. It’s important to remember that all contractions do not bring on cervical change and to learn how productive contractions feel.

The best way to understand what labor will be like is through education. Enroll in childbirth education classes with our sister company, The Gathering Place, and read books about pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. We have a lending library available at Magnolia that allows you to borrow books. In addition, we recommend all clients hire a birth doula. A doula is a professional who can help you understand whether your contractions are productive and gauge when it’s time to go to the birth center.

Learn More with Miami’s Premier Natural Birthing Center

If you’re pregnant and want to learn more about having an out-of-hospital birth in Miami, consider midwifery care at Magnolia. You can set up a free consultation by filling out our form.