When you hear the word wish list, you might think that the biggest wish for childbirth is a healthy and robust baby. However, if the midwife asks about a wish list for childbirth, she means whether you have any wishes regarding how the birth should take place. It can be a good idea to write down your thoughts and wishes for the birth, as it can give your body more calm during labor.
In this article, you can read more about what the wish list can help you with and what it should contain.
The wish list can help you
When you are in weeks 32-36 of your pregnancy, it can be a good idea to create a wish list for childbirth. The wish list can make you think about the framework you want for your birth. In this way, you can also start to feel how you feel about the birth.
It can be very difficult to predict how the birth will unfold. Therefore, you cannot be sure that your wishes on the list will come true. However, when you write down your wishes and thoughts, it can help give you greater calm in your body. So, it can be beneficial to have thought through the birth in advance.
It can also be a good idea to consider if there is anything about the birth that you are afraid of. If you are nervous or scared during labor, it can contribute to prolonging the birth. You can therefore write your thoughts about the birth down on a piece of paper and inform the midwife during one of your check-ups. This way, the midwife can help you and create the best possible framework for you during childbirth.
The wish list can therefore help you during labor. You can discuss your concerns with the midwife, ensuring you have a safe environment when you are about to give birth.
Does your partner have wishes for the list?
It is not only important that you have thought about the birth; it can also be a good idea to talk with your partner about the wish list.
During labor, you may not have the energy to answer difficult questions. Therefore, it is important that your partner knows your wishes and dreams for the birth. This way, your partner can answer the questions for you, ensuring you have a good experience.
However, it may also be that your partner has some wishes for the list that you need to discuss. Therefore, it can be a good idea for you to sit down together and talk about your shared wishes for the birth. In this way, you can align your expectations, ensuring a good understanding of each other's dreams and wishes for childbirth.
It is therefore important that you prepare before the birth so that you have the best possible framework during labor. The preparations before childbirth can also contribute to giving you a good experience that you will remember.
What should the wish list contain?
When you are making a wish list for childbirth, it is important to consider what makes you feel safe. Feeling safe can help you during labor.
If you are a first-time mother, it may be difficult to figure out exactly what makes you feel safe. However, you can try to think back to situations where you have previously been challenged. What could have made you feel safe in that situation?
Only you and your partner know exactly what can make you feel safe in unfamiliar and challenging situations. Here are some points that you can consider:
- Do you want a high or low level of information?
- Who should be present at the birth?
- What kind of pain relief do you want?
- Who will cut the umbilical cord?
- Can pictures be taken?
- Is there anything you are nervous about?
You can use these points as a starting point for your wish list. This way, you can start thinking about your wishes for the birth. It can help to give your body peace when you are about to give birth.
How to submit the wish list
Once you and your partner have written down the wish list, it is important that you remember to hand it to your midwife. You may not know your midwife in advance. Therefore, you can pack the wish list in your bag and hand it over at the maternity ward.
In some cases, you may already know your midwife in advance. If this is the case, you can go through your list of wishes and concerns during your pregnancy.
The wish list can be a great help for your midwife, as it gives her time to understand your wishes and dreams for the birth. The wish list provides the midwife with a picture of who you are as a person. This can be an advantage when she is helping you in the best possible way during the birth.
