Crafting your Dream Delivery: A Complete Guide to Creating an Empowering Birth Plan

Mama, have you considered creating a birth plan for your upcoming labor and delivery? It’s a document that can truly make a difference in your birthing experience, and I’ll tell you why.

Picture this: with a well-thought-out birth plan in hand, you’ll feel more informed, empowered, and prepared. It’s like giving yourself the gift of clarity and confidence as you approach one of the most important moments of your life. How amazing is that?

But that’s not all! Your birth plan also serves as a powerful tool to communicate your desires, priorities, and values with your medical team. By sharing your wishes, you’re paving the way for a smoother experience that aligns with your vision of the ideal birth. And hey, it’s a great opportunity to have heart-to-heart conversations with your doctor or midwife, creating a bond rooted in trust and understanding.

Now, here’s something truly special: when your birth plan is clearly laid out, you’ll feel less overwhelmed by decision-making during labor. It takes away that pressure and anxiety, giving you a greater sense of control over your birthing journey. You can focus on staying present and embracing each moment, knowing that your intentions have been expressed and respected.

And Mama, let’s not forget the peace of mind that comes when you’ve gone through the planning process. As the delivery day draws closer, you can rest assured that you’ve done everything possible to create a safe and meaningful birth experience. Take a deep breath and feel that sense of calm washing over you. You’re taking charge, you’re advocating for yourself and your baby, and you’re doing an incredible job already.

So, let’s dive into this journey hand in hand. Together, we’ll explore how to craft a birth plan that’s uniquely yours, reflecting your dreams and aspirations. Trust me, mama, by investing a little time and love into this process, you’ll set the stage for a beautiful birth story to cherish forever. You’ve got this, mama! I believe in you. ❤️

Who to Involve in Your Birth Plan

One of the most important parts of creating your birth plan is deciding who you want to be involved in the process. This includes both who you want present for the labor and delivery as well as who you want to consult with as you make decisions and write your plan. Key people to consider involving are:

• Your partner – Make sure your partner or other support people know your preferences and are prepared to advocate for you.
• Your doctor/midwife – Discuss your birth plan with your obstetrician or midwife so they understand your wishes.
• Doula – If hiring a doula for additional support, inform them of your goals.
• Other family or friends – Decide if you want any other people present, such as parents, siblings, or close friends.

Determining the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved will help ensure you all share the same vision and work together to achieve the labor experience you desire.

Labor Preferences

Your labor preferences cover how you want to handle pain management, movement, decision-making, and other aspects during labor. For pain relief, you may opt for no medication, an epidural, nitrous oxide, IV medication, and more. Consider researching the pros and cons of each option. You’ll also want to decide if you want to be free to move around, use birthing balls, walk, change positions, etc. Or if you prefer to stay in bed. In terms of decision-making, determine if you want your partner or a doula to advocate for your preferences if you are unable to do so. Also, consider your preferences on monitoring, exams, use of Pitocin to speed labor and other interventions. Discuss your options thoroughly with your doctor ahead of time.

Key preferences to outline related to labor include pain relief options, monitoring preferences, IV fluids, the ability to be mobile, and having a decision-maker if you cannot speak for yourself.

Environment Preferences

The environment during labor can greatly impact your comfort and mindset. Think about the types of environmental details that might help you relax and focus during labor and delivery. Music, lighting, and aromatherapy are common environmental considerations. Your birth plan preferences might include:

• Soothing music playing in the background
• Dimmed lighting or candles to create a calming ambiance
• Essential oil diffusers with relaxing scents like lavender or chamomile
• Heating pads or ice packs to ease discomfort

Discuss options with your birthing facility ahead of time to ensure they can accommodate your environmental requests. Having your preferred atmosphere during labor can help you feel centered and empowered.

Medical Interventions

Medical interventions are commonly used during labor and delivery to help facilitate the birthing process. It’s important to consider your preferences on potential interventions beforehand. Some key interventions to think about include:

• Induction – This uses medication or other methods to start labor rather than waiting for it to begin naturally. You may opt for this if you’re past your due date, for example.
• Epidural – This is a numbing medication given through an injection in your spine to relieve labor pain.
• Episiotomy – This makes a surgical cut to enlarge the vaginal opening during delivery.

Think through your preferences on these and other possible interventions. Discuss the pros and cons with your doctor. Then, document your wishes clearly in your birth plan.

Delivery Preferences

It’s important to think through and communicate your preferences for the actual delivery of your baby. This includes factors like delivery positions, who cuts the umbilical cord, whether you want immediate skin-to-skin contact, and more. According to Babylist, some common delivery preferences to outline in your birth plan include:

• Pushing positions – Being upright, on your side, squatting, or on your hands and knees can allow gravity to assist and may feel more productive than lying on your back.
• Who cuts the umbilical cord – Many birth plans specify whether the birthing partner/spouse wants to cut the cord or defer to the doctor.
• Immediate skin-to-skin – Research shows that skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth offers benefits like improved breastfeeding, temperature regulation, and bonding.
• Delayed cord clamping – Waiting at least 1-3 minutes before clamping the umbilical cord allows more blood flow from the placenta to your baby.

Discuss your preferences with your doctor ahead of time to understand any restrictions or recommendations they may have. Being clear and specific in your birth plan will help ensure your delivery unfolds according to your vision.

After Delivery

Once your baby is born, the main concerns are initiating skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and any necessary newborn procedures. According to the bump.com1, skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth has many benefits, including stabilizing the newborn’s temperature, heartbeat, and blood sugar levels. Indicate in your birth plan that you want your baby placed directly on your chest after delivery for at least one hour of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact, if possible. Also, share your preferences around the timing of the first breastfeeding. Many experts recommend beginning breastfeeding within the first hour after birth.

The birth plan should also outline your preferences for common newborn procedures like vitamin K injections, erythromycin eye ointment, the first bath, and circumcision if you’re having a boy. Think carefully about which procedures are mandatory in your state and which are optional or can be delayed. Discuss your preferences with your pediatrician ahead of time and document them clearly in the birth plan.

If C-Section Becomes Necessary

Even if you are planning for a vaginal delivery, there is a chance you may end up needing an unplanned cesarean section. It’s a good idea to think through your preferences ahead of time in case this happens. This will help you feel more in control even with a change of plans.

Some things to consider are who you want present during the surgery, preferences for lowering the surgical drape so you can see the baby born, having immediate skin-to-skin contact if possible, and breastfeeding in the OR if desired (Tommy’s, 2021). You may also want to request delaying non-essential newborn procedures for an hour to allow uninterrupted bonding time. Music playing in the OR can help make the atmosphere calmer as well.

Make sure your birth partner understands your wishes, too, so they can advocate for you if an unplanned cesarean becomes necessary. While not everything may go as envisioned, having a plan in place provides a starting point to ensure your c-section birth is as positive an experience as possible.

Writing the Birth Plan

Once you’ve done your research and thought through your preferences, it’s time to actually write up your birth plan. The easiest approach is to use a birth plan template that already has the basic sections and layout. You can find a free printable birth plan template here!