Creating a Nurturing Birth Plan
Creating a birth plan is a valuable step in preparing for childbirth, as it allows you to communicate your preferences and desires to your birth team. Despite skepticism and discrimination that is still held by some doctors and nurses, a well-thought-out birth plan can help ensure that your birth experience aligns with your values and wishes as much as possible.
Of course some birth plans have to be curtailed to the birth setting, but overall, it is helpful to have your vision and intentions in black and white.
Before writing a birth plan, there are a few things that you want to get clear about. Grab a pen and paper or your smartphone to brainstorm. Give yourself time to think, dream, and envision.
Birth Goals and Desired Outcomes:
What is your vision of your ideal birth?
If there was such thing as a perfect birth, what would some feeling qualities be? Ex: Supported, quiet, peaceful, calm, warm, etc.
Emphasize that your goal is to work collaboratively with them to achieve the best possible birth experience for you and your baby.
Personal Values and Preferences:
Reflect on your personal values and beliefs regarding childbirth. Consider factors such as pain management, interventions, labor positions, and postpartum care. This will serve as the foundation for the decisions outlined in your birth plan. Are there cultural or religious beliefs that can affect how a care team would make decisions?
Choice of Birth Setting:
Decide where you would like to give birth: at home, in a hospital, or at a birthing center. Each option has its own advantages and considerations.
Home Birth: If you choose to give birth at home, specify your preferences for the environment, such as who will be present, comfort measures, and emergency procedures.
Hospital Birth: If opting for a hospital birth, outline your preferences regarding interventions, pain relief options, mobility during labor, and any specific requests for your birthing environment.
Birthing Center: If planning to give birth at a birthing center, discuss your preferences for natural childbirth, support services available, and postpartum care.
Optional Essential Items to Bring:
Make a list of items you'll need to bring with you to your chosen birth setting. This may include personal comfort items, such as pillows, blankets, and toiletries, as well as any special equipment or supplies recommended by your healthcare provider for baby and your postpartum recovery.
If you are choosing a home birth, you won’t be bringing anything with you, but ideate on the environment you want to create such as who will be there, lighting, music, what you want to wear, what food do you want prepared as your victory meal. Also, your midwife will provide you with a list of necessary materials that you need present for labor and deliver.
Once you have gotten clear on the idea of your birth, let's break down a few key components and options for creating a comprehensive birth plan. This is a non-exhaustive list so feel free to adapt what resonates and leave the rest. Some options are only available in hospitals and some options are only available for home births.
Okay, let’s get to the actual birth plan:
Important information: Your name, your EDD (estimated due date), your partner’s name, your doula, your blood type, allergies, RH incompatible with baby, if you are positive for: Hep B strep, gestational diabetes, herpes
Communication Preferences:
Specify your preferences for communication during labor and delivery. This may include your preferred language for discussing medical procedures, preferred use of pronouns or names, use of affirmations or hypnobirthing techniques, and any requests regarding privacy and confidentiality.
Support Team:
Identify your support team members and outline their roles and responsibilities during labor and delivery. This may include your partner, doula, family members, or friends who will be present to provide emotional and physical support. Also, if you have a photographer available.
Medical Interventions:
Discuss your preferences for medical interventions, such as induction, augmentation, fetal monitoring, and pain relief options. Be sure to research each option thoroughly and consider how it aligns with your birth plan priorities.
Do you want to be offered pharmaceutical drugs, or would you rather ask for it on your terms and in your own time?
Regarding Mama:
Did you bring your own source of energy via food, tea, honey?
Did you bring your own clothing?
Do you want range of motion? Do you want to be hooked up to a fetal monitor (external or internal)?
What labor positions do you want to try or have available to you? Birth/peanut ball, squatting (assisted with rebozo), shower/tub/water,
Pain management: massage or counterpressure, movement, heat, TENS, water/shower, affirmations or hypnobirthing, birth ball, breathwork
What are your lighting preferences?
Do you want music playing?
Do you want to have your cervix checked every hour or minimal interruptions?
What position(s) do you want to push in?
Preferred delivery: vaginal, VBAC, water birth, c-section
Do you want to naturally tear or get an episiotomy?
Are you open to the doctor using forceps or a vacuum?
In the case of an unplanned cesarean operation, who do you want in the OR with you? Do you want clear drapes? Do you want a gentle cesarean? Do you want the baby to be brought to you as soon as possible? Do you want your partner to cut the cord?
If baby has to go to NICU, who goes with baby?
Do you want the placenta?
Regarding baby:
Who catches the baby?
Who announces the sex of the baby?
Delayed cord clamping?
Who is cutting the cord?
Do you want to bank any cord blood?
Will you allow formula feeding or exclusively colostrum/breastmilk?
Do you/do you not want the baby to be given a bottle or pacifier?
A parent is present in the room with baby at all times? Do you want the baby to room in with you or do you prefer a break?
Immediate skin to skin?
Wipe of vernix or dont wipe off vernix?
Shower baby or dont shower baby?
Do you want to honor the golden hour (uninterrupted bonding with baby and mama)?
Vaccinated immediately, after the golden hour, or never?
Erythromycin administered immediately, after the golden hour, or never?
If the baby has a penis, do you want a circumcision and do you want it to happen while at the hospital? Do you want the circumcision to happen in the room?
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
Postpartum Care:
Consider your preferences for postpartum care, including breastfeeding support, newborn care practices, rooming-in arrangements, and any cultural or religious traditions you wish to observe.
Emergency Contingencies:
Acknowledge the possibility of unforeseen circumstances and outline your preferences for emergency procedures, including cesarean section, assisted delivery, and neonatal resuscitation.
Finalizing Your Plan:
Review your birth plan with your healthcare provider and partner. Discuss any questions or concerns. Be open to adjustments based on medical recommendations and individual circumstances.
Additional Resources:
I have a birth plan workbook and template, based on this post, for your ease. Click here to access the birth plan workbook & template!
I would highly recommend you printing multiple physical copies and send it via email to everyone who will be in attendance of your birth at least a few weeks before your estimated due date. This will create more space for your birth team to be familiar with your desires and support you with your intended outcome.
By addressing these key components and considerations, you can create a birth plan that reflects your values, preferences, and goals for childbirth. Remember that flexibility is also important, as birth is a dynamic process, and unexpected changes may arise. However, having a clear and informed plan in place can empower you to make informed decisions and advocate for the birth experience you desire.
I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions about BIRTH PLANS