It’s been an historic week here in the UK, and I realised that as much as I knew the Queen couldn’t actually live forever, part of my kind of thought she would.
I’ve been reflecting a lot this week on the events that unfolded, and of course, I’ve been looking at how it applies to the birth world.
I’m sure many of us would have though it likely that the Queen would die in London, for those of us who have watched The Crown at least once (I feel another binge watch coming on), you’ll be familiar with the various plans named after bridges that are in place for these kind of events. Operation London Bridge was the meticulously created plan for the scenario in which the Queen died in London.
But, of course, we know, that she died in Aberdeenshire.
So, what happened to Operation London Bridge, did they say, well let’s abandon everything now, that was a waste of time?
Well of course not.
They had a backup plan, an alternative plan, in fact they had more than one.
Operation Unicorn was another meticulously created plan, and even that has contingencies within it.
This is how I believe we should approach birth planning. Yes, do make a Plan A, things may well go that way, but within it you’re likely to have some contingencies.
Say your Plan A is a homebirth with a pool, but things happen fast and there’s no time to fill the pool, think through what you’d do instead, what about a shower, or somewhere else at home you’d find comfortable. Maybe something to cover the sofa?
What is there’s no midwives available to come out? What is your contingency then?
Along with that, what is your Plan B, Plan C etc. (Do feel free to give them better code names). What if you decide to have an induction? What if you decide to have a Caesarean birth?
And so on…
This is not about focusing on everything that could go wrong!
It’s about looking at what’s important to you, what your preferences are at each stage, and how you can bring those into potential other plans.
It’s a mental rehearsal that will help you cope better with changes in plan.
And of course, much of the original plan still stands, it’s just that it needs some additions, a few changes. The important factors still apply through all of the updates and contingencies, the ceremony and the respect still apply.
Instead of thinking a birth plan is a statement of your ideal scenario, approach it as an opportunity to be fully prepared and ready for any changes that come your way.
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