One of the most important steps that expectant parents should do is a birth plan. A birth plan is a document outlining your preferences when it comes to labor and delivery; you feel so empowered and clear as the big day draws closer. It will not only help you clearly state your wishes to your medical team, but it’s also reassuring-knowing that everyone is on the same page. This article will take you step-by-step on how to make a birth plan and why having one can make all the difference in your experience of childbirth.
Why You Need a Birth Plan
A birth plan is a written document that details a roadmap for your labor and delivery. Although a critical component is flexibility, because labor often is unpredictable, writing out a birth plan enables you to state your preferences, thereby providing you and your healthcare providers with the foundation on which to work together. Here’s why a birth plan is so important:
- Clarity and Control: A birth plan might provide a sense of control as one states the preferred pain management, the positions during labor, and other special requests.
- It is a form of communication between you and your health providers so that your wishes are stated and recognized accordingly.
- Decrease anxiety: Just knowing that you have some sort of plan in place helps minimize anxiety and helps you focus on the positive aspects of labor and delivery.
How to Write a Birth Plan
Writing a birth plan is not complicated at all. The steps below will help you write a simple, concise, and clear plan.
Step 1: Learn about Your Options
Educate yourself about available options in labor and delivery. These include pain relief methods, positions during labor, and possible interventions. Learn what these terms actually mean, such as epidural, nitrous oxide, and C-section, so you understand them when presented to you.
Step 2: Reflect on Your Preferences
Reflect on your personal preferences regarding labor and delivery. Some of the questions you may ask yourself include the following:
- Would you prefer to have a natural birth, or are you open to pain medication?
Are there specific labor positions you’d like to try? - Do you want to delay cord clamping or have immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby?
- By listing these preferences, in this way, you will be able to create a birth plan that points out reflectively what is most important for you and what you want.
Step 3: Review with Your Healthcare Provider
It is important that you go over your birth plan with your health care provider because having it done well in advance allows time for your health care provider to provide insight and to answer questions and set realistic expectations. Be sure to ask about the policy of the hospital because some of the preferences may be limited by the facility’s policy.
Step 4: Write Your Birth Plan
Writing your birth plan, keep it as simple and straightforward as possible, using bullet points or short paragraphs in a way that will be easy for your healthcare team to read at a glance. Include these sections:
- Personal Information: Your name, contact information, and due date.
- Choices Regarding Pain Management: Whether you prefer a natural birth or want pain relief options such as an epidural or IV medication.
- Labor Preferences: Describe your preferred positions for labor, if you want to walk around, and if you will need any particular equipment like a birthing ball.
- Birth preferences: Outline the preferences on positions for pushing, types of delivery, and who you would want present in the room.
- The preferences after birth: This would include skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and all immediate newborn care that one would want, such as delay of cord clamping.
Step 5: Allow Room for Flexibility
Of course, having a birth plan in mind is essential, but equally important is being flexible. Labor is quite unpredictable, sometimes not happening just as one wished. Open-minded, you will find that this will be easier for you to deal with changes without feeling confused or dismayed.
Key Things to Put In Your Birth Plan
Now that you understand the steps to follow while writing one, let’s look at the details you need to have in an in-depth birth plan.
Relieving Pain
Pain management seems to be everyone’s biggest concern when preparing for delivery. Some women would like to opt for natural pain-relieving methods such as breathing exercises and massage, while others prefer medical options, an epidural. Whichever you choose, state it clearly. If you are unaware, you may state that your choice depends upon the stage of the labor.
Labor Environment
The environment can make a huge difference to any woman when she is in labor. You may want to discuss preferences regarding:
- Dim lighting
- Least noise
- Playing one’s music
- Only a few medical staff in the delivery room
These minor considerations may create an atmosphere that soothes you and allows you to concentrate and be calm.
Medical Interventions
It is also necessary to discuss here your preferences for possible medical interventions, including augmentation of labor, monitoring of baby, and instrumental delivery. State whether you would not want certain intervention unless it is absolutely necessary, and mention whether you want to be informed before any intervention could take place.
Parent’s Preference after Birth
Your birth plan shouldn’t just cover delivery, but immediate post-birth wishes also. You may want to consider whether you will have immediate skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping, or assistance with breastfeeding within the first hour. These will affect your early bonding experience with your baby.
A birth plan gives you much confidence and clarity going into labor. Certainly, it can be unrealistic to anticipate that all details of childbirth are going to go just so, but having a plan will provide the empowerment and support a woman needs throughout this process. Remember, your birth plan is just like any other guideline and direction that might change at any point in time. Be flexible, communicate with your health care provider, and trust in the process.
