Why you Should Have a Birth Plan, and What’s in a “Good” Plan?
A birth plan is a simple and clear document that includes a statement about your preferences for the birth of your child. You should understand that a birth plan is not a contract, your plan may have to change! This document can be amazing for you, your partner, and any caregiver you meet during your labor and delivery.
Let’s start with why it’ll be amazing for you, cause of course you are my top priority. To begin creating a birth plan will allow you to go through all your options. It will allow you and your partner to go through and research your options surrounding birth and the postpartum period. While you go through these options it will allow you to prepare for unpredictability during labor. You should have a good understanding of most complications by the end of the process, if not write it down! Take your questions to your care provider, your doula, or any trusted source. You have the right to be educated and informed.
Now for your caregivers this plan is equally important. To begin this plan will introduce your caregivers to your goals, preferences, and any special needs you may have. While your caregivers read over your birth plan they will be able to prepare for your labor and any complications that may arise in accordance with your plan. Your plan will introduce your provider to you and what your values are.
What is in a “good” birth plan though? The first thing on your birth plan should be some basic information about you and your partner. This gives your caregiver the time to learn who you are, and what your main goal is. For example, let’s say your goal is to have an unmedicated birth with little to no interventions. In this first section you might want to say “we’re hoping for a natural unmedicated birth and we value any support you can offer.” This states your wants and needs in a simple intoduction. Next you should identify any issues, fears, or concerns that you may have surrounding labor, delivery, and your postpartum period. In the next section you should outline your preferred pain management techniques. Would you like an epidural, or would you prefer to attempt more natural technique. Alongside these preferences you should note how you feel about common interventions or monitoring techniques such as IV antibiotics, continuous fetal monitoring, restricted movement etc. Next comes the section where you sometimes have to focus on your fears, you want to write down your preference for unexpected events. For example if there is a lack of progression, where either you or the baby are in danger what would you like to happen? Lastly you should write about what you would like to do once the baby is born. Will you delay cord clamping, will the baby only have certain vaccinations and/ or treatments, will you breastfeed or formula feed and plenty of other postpartum decisions.
Below I have included some links to help you create your perfect birth plan. Remember that this is your body, your baby, and your birth. You have every right to be informed and make decisions regarding your labor and delivery.
As always with peace and love
Rachel :)
WorkSheetforPreparingYourBirthPlan.pdf (google.com)
Your birth plan (marchofdimes.org)
Approaches to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth | ACOG
