How to Prepare a Birth Plan

Prepared by parents before a baby's due date, a written birth plan helps couples think through how they'd like labor and delivery to proceed.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baby Names
• Address Books
• Camera Bags
• Cameras
• Film
• Cameras

1. Read up on childbirth and labor. Learn about the different styles of giving birth, medical interventions and medications used during labor.

2. Make major decisions first: Home, hospital or birth center? Midwife or obstetrician?

3. Consult a book or online resource for a sample birth plan that lists other major and minor factors to consider.

4. Think about things like pain relief, positions for giving birth and who you want to be with you during delivery.

5. Talk with your partner, friends and family - especially women who have given birth.

6. Discuss the details of how you would like your birth and labor to be with your midwife or obstetrician.

7. Write up your final plan for giving birth.

Tips & Warnings

• Stay open - having a baby is not a predictable enterprise. You might have to throw some elements of your plan to the wind in the interest of medical necessity.
• Don't be disappointed if you change your mind during labor, especially about such key things as pain control.
• Write your wishes using positive statements to avoid putting your health care providers on edge.