How to Write a Birth Plan

Some women enjoy dimmed lights during labor. Others like gentle music. Trying to tell your birthing team your preference during mind-altering contractions, however, can be difficult. Birthing plans are a way to get your preferences down on paper before the big event so that everyone who will be part of the experience can make it as pleasant as possible. Use the following guidelines to create a birth plan.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Be flexible and realistic about your expectations. Giving birth is a very unpredictable process, and you must accept that there will be some things that are simply beyond your control.
2. Consider who you want to be in the room. Some women invite family and friends to be part of the birthing experience, while others prefer a more private experience with only their significant other or birthing coach. Neither decision is wrong, and you are allowed to change your mind.
3. Envision your ideal environment. Indicate whether you'd like music playing, the lights dimmed, or photos to be taken.
4. Write down what you'd like to happen upon arrival at the hospital or birthing center. This includes things like whether or not you want an enema or to receive a routine IV for administering intravenous fluids should you need this later.
5. Indicate your preferences for any interventions the medical staff may make. This includes episiotomy, Caesarean section, fetal monitoring, labor induction and forceps or vacuum extraction. Let them know under what conditions you would consider these procedures.
6. Think about the actual labor and delivery. Indicate whether you want access to a shower or bath, whether you'd like food and drink, who you would like to cut the umbilical cord and when you will be able to hold and feed your baby.
7. Mention any postpartum concerns you may have. This will include things like whether the baby is to be exclusively breastfed or allowed a pacifier, whether a boy baby will be circumcised, and whether the baby will room in with you or stay in the nursery.

Tips & Warnings

• Make lots of photocopies of your birth plan. Pack them in your hospital overnight bag, give them to your birthing partner, labor and delivery nurses, doctors and anyone else who will be part of your birthing experience.
• If you prefer to have a more private experience, nurses and other hospital staff can be great allies in keeping out armies of excited grandparents-to-be and other well-wishers until you are ready for them. Make sure your birth plan or partner is clear on your preference.