A Birth Plan - What is that?
Think of your putting together your birth plan like drafting a set of house plans. Without clear, detailed instructions on how your house is to be built, a well-meaning contractor may very well put a bathroom where you intended a closet to be!
Birth plans are ideas and expectations that you have about the birth of your baby. They are used to help people who come into contact with you during your labor and birth know more about you, how you have prepared for this baby, and what you want from the birth.
A lot of people misunderstand and assume that you are writing orders for people to follow. Birth is far too unpredictable for us to expect a scripted event!
Even so, most people have preferences for how things are to be done during the labor and birth. A birth plan might address some of the following issues:
- Do you want mobility or do you wish to be confined to a bed?
- Do you want a routine IV, a heparin/saline lock, or nothing at all?
- Do you want to wear your own clothing?
- Listen to music?
- Use the tub or shower?
- Do you want pain medications or do you want to avoid them?
- Do you have preferences for which pain medications you want?
- Would you prefer a certain position in which to give birth?
- Would you like an episiotomy? Or, are there certain measures you want used to avoid one?
- If you need a cesarean, do you have any special requests?
- For home and birth center births, what are your plans in case of transport?
As you can see there are many topics that may be addressed in a birth plan. All of these topics should be discussed prenatally with your care provider. While discussion is imperative, a written birth plan is equally important. Your plans for your birth should be discussed with your care provider throughout your pregnancy, but it is a good idea to present the written plan to your caregiver sometime early in the third trimester. It is a very good idea to have your caregiver sign your birth plan and place a copy in your file. Also take a few signed copies with you to the hospital to make sure everyone you come in contact with will know your expectations and that you are supported by your caregiver.
There are many types of birth plans in written format. Some are many pages long and some are just a single paragraph that simply "sets the tone" for the birth. There is always a happy medium and only you will know what works for you. These are a few suggestions I have found work:
- Prioritize when going over your final draft. While chronologically may seem logical, it may be helpful if your most important items are listed first. Also, if necessary, weed out issues you are willing to compromise on.
- Place emphasis on the most important words or group of words to draw the readers' attention.
- Before you present your birth plan to your caregiver, know what you feel okay compromising on.
- Prepare yourself to explain your reasons for the choices you include in your birth plan.
- When writing your birth plan, try to write only two pages: one page devoted to your actual birth and one to newborn care.
- Avoid using the 'canned' birth plans online, as they tend to imply that you may be wishy-washy about your birth plan. Take the time to sit and type your own original plan - it shows commitment to your ideas.
- Once you've completed your birth plan and presented it to your caregiver, have them make notes on and sign your birth plan. Remember that you may have to actually amend your birth plan before having a final draft acceptable to both you and your caregiver. Copies should go to: your file at your caregiver's office, your labor assistant(s), to the hospital with you in labor (at least 2-3 copies.)
Use my birth plan questionnaire as well as my choices page, to help you complete your birth plan. Also, there is unlimited information out there regarding the choices available to you. Continue searching the web, visit the library and talk to mothers about their own births.
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