In my opinion, every pregnant woman should create a birth plan outlining her & her partner’s desires for labor, delivery, postpartum, and newborn care. This includes women having their first child or any subsequent pregnancy, vaginal delivery or planned c-section.
While it is true that the medical staff where you are delivering your baby know what to do, and you will be asked your opinion on non-medically necessary procedures, it is best to have a simple one page document in place that outlines your desires. It is best to create a birth plan some time in your third trimester so that you have time to discuss various options or concerns with your partner and with your midwife/doctor.
One thing you need to take into consideration when writing a birth plan is that the document is not a script for what will happen, but rather a general statement of your desires. If you are planning for a drug & intervention free delivery that’s great, but what if you need an emergency c-section? What if you want the epidural the minute you arrive at the hospital, but you have already passed the window and aren’t able to get one? There are a lot of what ifs to consider and discuss.
The best birth plans are very general, and broken into categories. Here are some things to consider when writing your birth plan:
General Information
- Name & Spouses Name
- Other support people who you want with you in labor & delivery
- What OB practice you go to
- Any & all allergies
- Which hand/arm would you prefer they use for the IV?
Labor
- Do you want to allow students or interns to witness labor?
- How do you want to be monitored?
- What types of pain relief do you want?
- Do you want the nurses to offer, or would you prefer to ask when you think you need it?
- Do you want to eat & drink during labor?
Interventions
- Episiotomy or allow to tear?
- Vacuum Extraction or Forcepts?
- Pitocin or position changes?
Delivery & Immediately Following
- Do you want to be told when to push or wait for the urge to strike?
- Do you want to see the delivery by using a mirror?
- Does your partner want to cut the cord?
- Are you planning on banking the cord blood?
- Do you want to hold the baby immediately after delivery while you deliver the placenta?
- If the baby has to be taken from you for medical treatment, who will accompany the child?
- Who will stay with you?
In case of an emergency/unplanned c-section
- Do you want your partner with you?
- What type of anesthesia do you prefer (if you do not already have an epidural in place)?
- Do you want the baby & your partner to stay with you in recovery?
- Do you prefer staples or sutures to close external incisions?
Postpartum Care
- Room in or in the nursery?
- Do you want the number of guests limited?
- Do you want the number of non-medical hospital personnel limited?
Newborn Care
- Do you want the baby circumcised in the hospital (if it’s a boy)?
- Do you plan on breast or bottle feeding?
- Do you want to meet with the lactation consultant?
- What is your opinion on supplemental feedings, artificial nipples, or the use of glucose water?
- Are there any vaccinations you do or do not want your baby to receive?
If you are having a planned c-section, there are still a lot of things to consider. While you do not have to address concerns regarding labor, you do have a lot of options about your pre-op & post-op care. Take the time to consider:
- What type of anesthesia would you like?
- Who do you want to witness the birth?
- What type of incision will you have?
- How do you want your incisions closed?
- What forms of pain medication do you want?
- How soon after delivery can you hold your baby?
- What is the hospital’s policy on rooming in after a c-section?
- How soon after delivery will you have the catheter & IVs removed?
- When can you resume a normal diet?
I know that a lot of this seems overwhelming, and if you search online or in books the lists of things to consider will get even longer. Take your time going through this & discuss the various topics with your partner, midwife or doctor. Its better to address the what ifs when you are calm & rational, instead of when you have to make a sudden decision.
Here are two sample birth plans:
- Birth Plan – This birth plan was written when I was pregnant with my son and was planning a drug & intervention free delivery. I had not planned for the possibility of a c-section in this birth plan, and did end up having an emergency c-section. Don’t make the same mistake I did, and consider all possibilities.
- Birth Plan for a Scheduled C-Section – This birth plan was written as a result of requiring a repeat c-section. There is a separate page of information regarding postpartum & newborn care to keep things as simplistic as possible.