5 minute read
Advice from an expert All About Birth Plans
As a labor and delivery nurse, I’ve read a lot of different birth plans. I’ve seen how helpful they can be and witnessed how they can set women up for disappointment. One thing that’s certain, I do recommend creating a birth plan before reaching full term. Birth plans are an empowering tool that gets parents thinking about the details of birth before it happens. Just like a good childbirth class, the process helps eliminate some fear and anxiety about the unknown. Ready to dive into the ins and outs of birth plans?
What is a Birth Plan?
A birth plan is a document that lets providers and birthing teams know a mother’s preferences about labor, delivery, immediate newborn care and the postpartum hospital stay. Birth plans are a tool to communicate prior to birth so your labor and delivery team can help you have the best birth possible.
The Caveat
There is a pretty big caveat surrounding birth plans—don’t let them be the downfall of your positive experience. A birth plan should be considered birth “wishes” because it’s impossible to predict how your unique birth will progress and unfold. It’s important to keep a mindset of flexibility. Creating a rigid birth plan leads to disappointment when things don’t go as planned.
When to Make a Birth Plan?
Start thinking about a birth plan at the beginning of the third trimester, but complete it before reaching full term (ideally, between weeks 35 and 37) so there’s time to discuss details with your provider. Ask if the birth plan can be included in your hospital preregistration packet. For some hospitals, this is standard practice, but if not, many will accommodate it. Even if you provide a copy of your birth plan ahead of time, bring a printed copy in your hospital bag, just in case.
Why is a Birth Plan Important?
While a birth plan communicates preferences during labor and delivery, there are many reasons that they are important:
• Gets parents thinking about labor, birth and newborn care decisions
• Sparks dialogue and questions surrounding labor, delivery and newborn care
• Helps moms visualize the experience
• Exposes parents to possible options and outcomes
• Provides a voice in your birth experience
• Provides your partner and birth team with a tool for advocacy on your behalf
• Inspires research on interventions, options, pain relief and norms associated with labor, delivery, newborn care and hospital stay
• Creates an opportunity to learn more about your birthing place policies and standard care procedures
• Reduces anxiety about birth, creating a sense of control and confidence
• Empowers mothers to take an active role in their care
What a Birth Plan is NOT
Remember that a birth plan contains birth “wishes”—it is not a binding contract. The most important component of every birth is to keep mama and baby safe. In order for that to happen, sometimes things don’t go according to plan.
Parents can establish goals that the birth team will try to honor even when a birth outcome progresses differently than hoped. Such as, always having a partner or support person at your side, practicing skin-to-skin contact with baby immediately after birth (if medically safe) or initiating breastfeeding within 1–2 hours after birth. Many preferences like these can be achieved regardless of birth outcome.
What to Include in a Birth Plan
One of the first steps to creating a birth plan is deciding what type of birth you prefer: natural/unmedicated birth (accepted to mean birth without an epidural or C-section), birth with an epidural, planned C-section or VBAC.
Depending on what type of birth you’re hoping for, there are specific decisions to make about each one. For instance, if you’re writing a birth plan that includes an epidural, you can specify how long you imagine laboring before receiving one. For those striving for a natural birth, you’ll want to consider which pain relief strategies you’re willing to try, if needed. Consider including preferences for unplanned procedures as well. It’s better to prepare so you aren’t caught off guard.
A birth plan also includes questions about birth preferences, such as:
• Who will be in the room with you during labor?
• Who is your main support person?
• Will you have a doula?
• What are preferences regarding light, sound and music?
• Do you prefer a calm, quiet atmosphere during delivery or one that is more upbeat?
• If there are different types of labor rooms, which do you prefer? (for example, labor tubs vs. hydrotherapy showers)
• Do you have photography or video plans? (check hospital/birth center policies)
• Are candles or essential oil diffusers permitted in the labor room?
• How do you feel about hands-on labor support from a nurse or provider?
• Would you like to limit the number of hospital staff in the room if possible?
• Are you open to student nurses, midwives, or practitioners observing your labor and delivery?
There are also opportunities to state wishes about pain management, induction, fetal monitoring, pushing positions, cord and placenta preferences, newborn care procedures and more. There is a lot to learn and think through, which is why it’s important to go through the process well ahead of due date. v
Liesel Teen, BSN, RN, is a labor and delivery nurse, founder of Mommy Labor Nurse and a mother of two kids. Follow her on IG at @mommy. labornurse for education, tips and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
Free Birth Plan Templates
Detailed birth plan templates (both vaginal and C-section) were created by my team of labor and delivery nurses. Visit www.mommylabornurse.com/ how-to-make-a-birth-plan to have them sent to your email inbox.
