Having A Birth Plan: Your Child Birth Wish List
Part of giving birth at the birth center I delivered at was that I had to have a birth plan. A birth plan is a document you create that lists your preferences and instructions you wish to have followed before, during, and after your labor and delivery. It lets those involved with your birthing experience know what you want for yourself and your new little one. A birth plan cannot always be followed exactly, due to unforeseen issues that may arise, but it is good to have your wishes written down and shared with your birth team prior to going into labor.
Writing my birth plan made me really consider and prioritize what it was that I wanted for myself, for my partner, and for my little lamb during my natural childbirth experience. For example, I do not like to be talked to when I am in pain so I can stay focused and control it better. I put that information in my birth plan and spoke to my midwife about it before my delivery day. Little did I know that I was already using a bit of self-hypnosis during my labor and delivery before I even knew about hypno-birthing. I included that we wanted to do delayed cord cutting and that my husband would be the one to cut the cord. Also, I wanted immediate skin to skin with my little lamb and did not want the erythromycin ophthalmic ointment put in her eyes.
Delivering anywhere but a hospital also means that you need to have a plan B if you should have to be transferred to a hospital. In most situations, your midwife or doula will travel with you if you have to be transferred, but you still want your wishes in print so no one has to guess or try to remember what it was that you wanted. In case of a transfer, I included that our baby should not leave our room at any time unless medically necessary, that the vernix should not be wiped off, and that my husband would remain with our little lamb at all times if leaving the room was necessary.
There are so many templates and websites out there that will help you create your own birth plan. Remember to keep it simple, straight to the point, and try not go over two pages. Bold things that mean the most to you to make them stand out, prioritize the most important things at the beginning of your birth plan, make sure what you are asking for is actually possible where you are delivering, and make sure your partner and your provider both know your wishes before the big day. My labor and delivery went so fast that my midwife did not have a chance to go over my birth plan with me, but we had communicated my desires ahead of time and my husband was well versed enough in what we wanted to communicate things for me when I could not. When my midwife expressed her concern that she had not read my birth plan yet, I simply stated, “New plan, get the baby out!” Don’t forget your sense of humor mommas! Remember that not everything, especially childbirth, always goes as planned, so be flexible without compromising on the most important things for you and your baby.
My Birth Plan
Atmosphere
In order to be most comfortable, we would like our environment during our labor and birth to be quiet, calm, and for the lighting in the room to be low.
We will have music to play and an aromatherapy candle to burn.
We would like to have access to a birth ball and a birth stool.
We would like to have a chair that can be sat on backwards in order to straddle and lean on during contractions.
Support Person
My husband will be the only person with me during the birth and will be my support person.
He will cut the cord
He can be supported by:
offering suggestions on techniques he can use to help me through contractions
having someone stay with me while he gets something to eat, uses the bathroom, or just takes a minute to re-group, etc…
Coping with Pain/Birth
I cope with pain by being quiet and staying focused. I don’t usually like to talk while I am in pain.
I would like a mirror offered to me during the pushing phase
Baby
Delayed cord cutting
Immediate skin to skin with mother
YES to the vitamin K shot
NO erythromycin ophthalmic ointment in eyes
Parents would like to give the first bath
Hospital Transfer
The baby should NOT leave our room at any time unless medically necessary
If the baby must leave our room, my husband is to remain with the baby at all times
Delayed cord cutting until cord stops pulsing
Vernix should NOT be wiped off
NO Hepatitis B Shot
NO erythromycin ophthalmic ointment in eyes
YES to the vitamin K shot
NO formula given
My husband should be in the room with me, and our baby will sleep in our room, not in the nursery.
We are Vegan and will need Vegan meals/Snacks
Love, Laughter, & Light,
