Creating A Birth Plan

One of the most exciting parts of preparing for your baby to arrive is crafting your birth plan checklist. Putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, is an excellent way to clarify your hopes and preferences for your birthing experience. 

Creating your birthing plan gives you the opportunity to deep dive into how you envision the hours surrounding your baby’s arrival. It is personal and unique to you. And it tells your birth team precisely what is important to you during this time.

If you are seeking expert support for your pregnancy, birth experience, and postpartum needs, reach out to Sweet Beginning Doula.  I am here to serve you in whatever capacity you need. With a wide range of options, I provide the support you deserve.

What Is a Birth Plan?

The idea of a “plan” of any kind for birth may seem odd to a lot of people. After all, how do you plan for something that, by its very nature, is unpredictable? 

In past generations, there certainly wasn’t much planning surrounding a birth. It happened whenever it happened and, often, wherever it happened. But even without formal plans in place, previous ages still had habits to help the birthing parent and baby.

Today, however, birth plans are standard for many expectant parents, and for good reason. Having a checklist or another form on hand when you have your baby helps ensure that your team knows your wishes.

Your plan gives everyone on the birth team common ground and a clear understanding of your ideal birth experience. If you are working with a doula, they can help you decide what you want to include in your document. 

Typically, a birth plan checklist covers the following topics and timeframes:

• Before Active Labor

• Active Labor and Delivery

• Postpartum and Newborn Care

Before digging deeper into these areas, let’s consider why you might want a plan in place.

How Does a Birth Plan Help?

Many parents wonder how necessary a birth plan is. They assume they can make their wishes known when they arrive at the hospital or birthing center. Or perhaps they just want to let things unfold without specific expectations. 

Yes, you can absolutely do that. Both of those options can work.

However, when labor begins, the birthing parent may be too uncomfortable or exhausted to make decisions and advocate for themselves. They may not even be able to think calmly about what they do or do not want. After all, their body is preparing for something mighty that is about to happen.

And some parents have found that without a birth plan in place, they don’t feel that the medical staff listens to them as well. And in the heat of the moment, it can be hard to speak up for yourself. 

Without at least a basic plan in hand, you may find that your birth experience feels out of your control. And if you have a doula by your side, she can be sure the staff has a copy of your plan. She will speak up for you when you cannot, she will advocate and protect your birth space.

What Should I Include in My Birth Plan Checklist?

There is no right or wrong way to have a baby. So your plan is unique to you and your desires. You may get a lot of unwanted opinions from your family, friends, and medical team. But ultimately, this is your birth experience, not theirs.

Here are some things to consider in each piece of your plan.

Before Active Labor

• Who do you want in the room with you? Your partner? Your newborn photographer? Your doula? If you do not wish to have any visitors during this time, be sure to include that information. The staff and your doula will protect those parameters. You have no obligation to allow family and friends into the room.

• If you want visitors, do you wish to allow them to take photos or videos? Again, you have every right to say, “no.”

• Do you want to bring special items from home? Some birthing parents like to bring their own lighting, a diffuser for oils, or some calming music.

• Would you like to be able to soak in a tub?

• Would you like any equipment in the room, such as an exercise ball?

During Active Labor and Delivery

• Who do you want in the room? This may be the time that your doula and medical team escort others out of the delivery room.

• Are you planning for a vaginal or cesarean delivery? Be sure you have also had this conversation with your medical team ahead of time. You need to know the plan if a problem were to arise.

• Do you want to be able to move around during this stage?

• Do you want to Eat & Drink?

• Are you ok with using pain medications?

• Do you want to be on Monitors?

• Do you want an Epidural?

• Do you want IV medications, such as IV Fluids?

• Do you want to try alternative pain management options?

• Will you want your practitioner to break your waters?

• Do you want your provider to induce labor with Pitocin?

• Do you want to avoid an episiotomy?

• Will you want to allow the use of forceps or suction to assist with delivery?

Postpartum and Newborn Care

• Does your partner want to catch the baby?

• Do you want immediate skin-to-skin contact?

• When will cord-cutting happen?

• Will your partner cut the cord?

• Are you banking the cord blood?

• Are there requests around the placenta?

• Do you want all baby procedures to be on you (skin to skin)?

• How Soon afterbirth will the baby receive vaccinations?

• Do you want the newborn to be removed from the room at anytime?

• Do you have a plan for breastfeeding? Be sure to find out if there is a support specialist on hand for that.

• When do you want visitors in the room?

• How soon after do you want to bathe the baby?

Remember That Things Can Change

Birth plans can offer tremendous support during this exciting time. But it’s essential to keep in mind that things can change quickly.

The most common changes to a plan come from the birthing parent. You may suddenly realize you don’t want family members in the room, contrary to your plan. You may decide to labor longer without medication than you anticipated. Or you may choose to take it at the first offer. This is all ok.

Some changes to the birth plan will come from your birth team. The staff will do their best to honor your wishes. But they may have to switch gears rapidly if difficulties come up during labor or delivery. Make sure you have discussed these possibilities with your providers before you go into labor. Make sure you are educated with the possible interventions that may occur in the event of an emergency.

Your Birth Team is your Anchor to help you go through each stage of labor.

Honored to Be on Your Team

At Sweet Beginning Doula , it is a privilege to support expectant parents as they meet their baby for the first time. With services before, during, and after delivery, I will help you feel empowered and prepared. Reach out today and  see how I can serve you.