How to Make a Birth Plan
Having a birth plan is important because it allows expectant mothers to outline their preferences and make informed decisions about their childbirth experience~
Your birth plan will serve as a guide for your care provider, ensuring that they are aware of your desires and can provide the necessary support and care. It’s also empowering for mothers to communicate their preferences regarding pain management, labor positions, interventions, and other aspects of childbirth! Need help making your birth plan? Keep reading, we’ve got you covered!
Step 1: Include The Basics
Your birth plan should include not only your name, but also your doctor’s name, your hospital or birthing center, and the name of your doula or midwife! Including this information ensures clear communication of your expectations!
Step 2: List Your Preferences
It’s important to communicate your birthing expectations, after all, it is your big day!
If you prefer to be moving freely, bouncing on an exercise ball, or even taking a warm shower, make sure it is noted in the birth plan! This also includes items like feeding preferences, vaccinations, aftercare, and more.
Step 3: Create The Perfect Atmosphere
Do you prefer the lights dimmed or bright? Do you have a birthing playlist? Even if you’re going to have a birth photographer, it all needs to be included in the birth plan so that nothing gets lost in the business of BIRTH DAY!
Step 4: Delivery Options
Everyone’s preferences are different when it comes to childbirth! Some prefer for their partner to cut the umbilical cord versus the doctor, and some prefer baby to keep its vernix on for a bit.
You will want to include all the details, right down to baby going to you or your partner for skin-to-skin once they’ve been delivered!
Step 5: Pain Management
Pain management is probably the most talked about part of childbirth! Whether you want an epidural or plan to go all-natural, you need to discuss your options with your provider. Once you’ve decided, put it in your birth plan!
Step 6: Feeding Preferences
Like most other things, everyone has their own preference when it comes to nourishing their little one. Things to include in your birth plan for this would be whether you plan to breastfeed or use formula, and whether or not you’d like to pump right away. No answer is incorrect as long as baby is getting the nourishment they need!
Step 7: Discussing Aftercare
Your job isn’t done once delivery happens, in fact, it’s just beginning!
Include your preferences for circumcision, vaccines, and where baby should be post delivery in your birth plan! You do not want to end up conveying something incorrectly in your post labor daze!
Step 8: Stay Flexible
Even when everything goes according to plan, birth can still be unpredictable. Stay flexible in your plan and remember to put yourself and baby first!
Make sure to bring extra copies of your birth plan for your providers! And don’t forget to breathe! It’s going to go great! Follow us on Instagram for more pregnancy and birth tips.
