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Pregnancy 101: Creating a Birth Plan

Admin
July 25, 2022


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  • For moms-to-be, preparing for birth is essential to ensure that everything goes well with labor and delivery. Having a birth plan allows the mom’s loved ones and medical professionals to know the preferences of the mom during labor and delivery.

     

    A birth plan is a great way to communicate with medical professionals about the mother’s concerns before, during, and after childbirth. It provides them with necessary information about things to do and what to avoid. Because we cannot control what happens during labor and birth, the very least we can do is to allow flexibility in planning. 

     

    In this article, we’ll help you go through the important aspects of a birth plan and how you can create your own for future references. 

     

    What is a Birth Plan?

     

    Simply put, a birth plan is a list or summary of an expectant mom’s preferences from who they want to be with them in the delivery room down to the birthing positions you’ll prefer using while giving birth. 

     

    There is no set birth plan template as it is different for everyone. However, there are a couple of things that you might want to note or include in your birth plan. A sample birth plan may include the following details:

     

    Birth Companion 

     

     

    List down the people that you want to be with you during labor which might include your partner, siblings, or parents. You can also include your midwife and/or your OB/GYN. You can also state if you want them to be with you throughout the process, or if you just want them to stay during specific stages. Note any guidelines from your medical institution and if they have any restrictions on the number of people allowed. You can also take this time to make a list of people who you do not want to be present. 

     

    Labor Medication or Pain Relief

     

    It’s essential to list down your preferred medication or pain relief but be open to changes – especially during labor. You can also include the order that you want them to be administered (e.g. leaving an epidural as a last option). 

     

    Labor and Birth Positions 

     

    List down the positions that you prefer to be in during birth and labor. Create a list of the positions that are most comfortable for you or ones that your doctor or midwife has suggested. 

     

    Assisted Delivery 

     

    Include whether you would like to have an assisted delivery or not. This would be helpful especially during the labor and birthing stage so medical professionals won’t add this type of stress to you while you’re in the process of childbirth. The usual assisted delivery methods include ventouse or forceps. Even if there isn’t a need for it, you might still want to include it in your birth plan just in case. 

     

    Postnatal Care 

     

    Consult with your doctor or midwife about the institution’s policy on postnatal care. This is essential to know so you can know the processes that will happen after you give birth. This can range from allowing the mother to have skin-to-skin contact straight away or if the baby will have to be tested first. You can write your preferences for postnatal care, but also consider how protocols may limit them. 

     

     

    Note that these are just suggestions of what you can put in your birth plan. Again, there is no standard birth plan template and it can depend on your preferences as an expectant mother. But it is good to have your personal birth plan ready just in case. 

     

    Is a Birth Plan Necessary?

     

    It’s not mandatory, and it isn’t a requirement either. However, having a birth plan can help to make birth a better experience. Having a birth plan ready also helps to eliminate any expectations, conflicts, and miscommunication during labor and delivery. 

     

    Birth plans also help doctors and other medical professionals be aware of what you are comfortable with while you’re in labor and during childbirth. But of course, be prepared for any changes to your birth plan once labor starts. 

     

    Having a birth plan helps expectant mothers to be more prepared and empowered for labor and delivery. It also gives mothers a chance to communicate their needs and preferences with the parties involved to make sure that they have a good experience. But you can skip making one if ever a birth plan makes you feel uncomfortable or if it adds to any anxiety leading up to the time of labor. 

     

    At the end of the day, the best birth plan is still aligned with a mother’s instinct. Don’t be so hard on yourself if you don’t follow it to a “T”; birth is just one part of motherhood.

     

    You’ve got this, mommies!

     

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