Birth Plans

How do you expect your labor, delivery and recovery to go?

Birth Plans
A birth plan is simply a written form of communication that is used to inform health care professionals of the parent's wishes prior to, during and after the delivery of their baby. Your birth plan should be simple, easy to read and easy to understand. Remember that no matter how well you try to plan your delivery, no birth will go exactly as planned. Try to leave space in your birth plan for flexibility so that the health and safety of both the mother and the baby is not compromised. Birth plans are not contracts. Most doctors and nurses will try to make every effort to accomodate the desires of their patients. Create your birth plan early on and discuss it with your doctor, spouse and anyone else that will be a source of support during the delivery. Try to be understanding of routine procedures that doctors must follow, even if there is a slight conflict with your birth plan.

Before Birth

Do you wish to have visitors in the room?
Do you want children to be able to visit?
At what point do you want visitation to end?
What would you like the environment to be like? Dim lights? Soft music?
Do you wish to have an enema?
Is external monitoring okay?
Is internal monitoring okay?
Do you want to walk during labor?
Do you wish to use a birthing ball?
Do you wish to use a shower or bath if available?
Are you comfortable with student doctors and nurses being in the room or doing procedures?
Is an amniotomy (breaking of the amniotic fluids) okay?
Do you want to wear your own clothes (remember childbirth is messy)?
Do you wish to be induced if contractions are not steady or strong enough?
Do you want to avoid an IV for hydration by drinking lots of fluids?

During Birth

Who do you want to be with you during the delivery?
Is external monitoring okay?
Is internal monitoring okay?
Do you wish to wait for the urge to push rather than being directed to do so, even if you are fully dilated?
Do you wish to use a mirror so you can view the process and progress of delivery?
Are there any positions that you are more comfortable with to deliver your baby?
Do you want pain medications? If so, what kind and at what point?
Do you wish to tear or have an episiotomy?
Does the father or labor coach wish to cut the umbilical cord?
Are you comfortable with student doctors and nurses being in the room or doing procedures?
Do you want to wear your own clothing, no clothing or hospital clothing?
Do you want to touch your baby's head as it is crowning?
If possible, who would you like to "catch" the baby?
If a cesarean is needed, do you wish to have the baby held up immediately for viewing?
Are photographs or video recording wanted?

After Birth

Do you prefer to breastfeed immediately after birth?
Do you want the baby placed directly on your chest after birth, given to labor coach or cleaned up?
Do you want the umbilical cord cut and clamped immediately or after it stops pulsating?
Do you want to be present for baby's first bath, shots, weight check, etc. if allowed?
At what point can visitors come to see you and the baby?
Do you want children to visit?
Do you want to wear your own clothing?
Do you wish to room in with the baby? How much?
Do you want to breastfeed only, bottle feed only or both?
Do you want your baby to have a pacifier?
Do you want your baby boy to be circumcised?
Do you wish to have pain medications?
Do you wish to have a stool softener?

Sick Baby Or Mother

If one is transported elsewhere, do you want both to go to the same location?
Will you accept a blood transfusion if necessary?
Are there any religious reasons for avoiding or not allowing any medical procedures?

Comments: Birth Plans

Comments 1 to 9 of about 9.

mamagarces - 174 days ago.
my birth plan is to just go with the flow... this is my fifth baby. the first two i had completely natural, and had intended to do the same with the others. however, with my 3 yr old, i had incredibly painful back labor... i never understood what back labor was until i went thru it... it was too intensely painful for me, and even tho i was terrified of the epidural, i begged for one...after about 22 hours of pain, when i got the epidural, within minutes my pain was gone, and i was able to relax enough to go from 3cm to 10cm in less than 45 minutes, and was able to effectively push my baby girl out. with my 15 month old, when the pain got too bad, i had no misgivings about asking for an epidural. after which, again, i was able to relax and go from 4cm to 10cm in about half an hour, and only had to push thru 3 contractions to have my baby girl. so this time, if i need one, i will not hesitate to ask. i have had no ill effects from the epidurals, was able to push effectively, and delivered healthy babies rather quickly...so, my plan is just go with the flow, even if that means i have to have a c-section... all that matters to me is the outcome, a healthy baby.

mamabear7406 - 175 days ago.
After my last baby I don't see the point in making out a definate birth plan. I know that the minute the pain starts it all goes out the window! I will of course have certain things I want to happen after delivery but as far as the labour itself goes I'm playing it by ear this time. Will take it as it comes, and certainly won't refuse the epidural if its offered! I didn't have one last time, and in the end I was glad I didn't, but my goodness during the labour I really wanted one, I was just too far gone by then!

Hanakalei - 218 days ago.
I have personally decided to give birth naturally! I do not want an epidural unless i for some reason have to have one!! So many mothers that i have talked to that have done it naturally said their labor was much shorter! Plus there are side effect from having epidurals that i would like to steer clear of!! Its going to hurt like crazy im sure but i know in the end its all going to be worth it :)

michelle5288 - 243 days ago.
Hey preggos. Im going to go with a natural birth using the hypnobirth method. Im also going to highlight a very in depth birth plan. Im scared of trying to enforce that plan though. Im not very aggressive or assertive when it comes to talking to the health professionals... This is my first child and i want everything to go well. There are no birth centers near me so i have to go to a hospital. Any advice for me on hypnobirth and for being more assertive with my birth plan? Please help, im 20 years old and this is my first. Im really looking for some advice from experienced mommys here....

Roxy1210 - 331 days ago.
Anybody try a hypno birth? Anyone try a doula ? What were your experiences?

AmberS - 360 days ago.
I am going to try to go all natural. I am realllly scared though. People say it was easy but others say.. 'NO WAY.' I will probably try to do natural and if it gets too bad then I will get an epidural. At what point do they cut you off and say you cant have one?

completnme - 361 days ago.
I gave birth 2wice both times to premies,one labor lasted 45minutes. with no meds and it was hell!! the other one lsted 18 hours no meds and that was HELL HELL,I jus didn't want to do meds cuz they were premie and already faced not breathing. Etc. Man this baby hopefully I get the cerclage or bedrest that can take me to 9 months and an easy birth,I deserve it.

Aussiemumma - 361 days ago.
Hi all, after having a bad experience with pain med (morphine) during the birth of my son I have decided to go completely natural this time round. I know I can do it because the Morphine didn't even help with the pain last time. It was given to me at 2cm dilation and from there I went to 10cm in an hour and a half. When my baby was born he wasn't breathing and had to be rushed to the neonatal intensive care for 2 days. Hardly worth it. I just wanted to share my story for those of you who think you might want to use pethidine/morphine during labor, I know a lot of people have used it and had a good experience but I want people to know that sometimes It can really affect the baby in a bad way. If I can't handle the pain this time round I might try an Epidural instead..

Happyfam - 369 days ago.
PregoNes - absolutely give your birth plan to your hospital. It's also a good idea to bring one with you and give to the attending nurses when you get there, and keep one with your birth support partner so he/she can refer to it as needed.... that way, you know for sure that one is in your file, in your room, and with your attending dr. I did this with my first baby and it worked wonders. Everyone was on the same page even when I was unable to speak (literally) my mind.