What is a birth plan?  Why is it important?  How should I write it?

A birth plan, birth preferences as I prefer to call it is a summary of Mum and Dad’s ideal preferences for all things related to labour and birth.  This prepared document can be given to your care providers to allow them to be aware of any specific wishes you may have for the birth of your baby.

It is really very important for parents to be to spend time thinking about what they want for the birth of their baby.  Spending time beforehand considering what is important will help you make sure that you have what you want both on a practical and emotional level.  It will also help you to make the right choices for yourself and your baby on the day should you need to deviate from those plans.

How to write your Birth Plan?

Midwives and doctors are not mind readers so you will want to write the salient points down for them.  Keep this short so that they do not feel overwhelmed by the amount of information you are sharing with them on the day, an A4 sheet is about the right amount. There are some great templates available online in different formats.  

Remember that your birth partner will be your advocate during birth so you don’t need to put full details on your birth plan.  By spending time discussing what is important with your birth partner you will help them understand your expectations of them and they will be more able to support you as you wish on the day.

Please remember that birth planning is about what is important for you and should not be seen as a checklist of things that you must do but a guide to the things that you have considered.  This is a very important point as sometimes births do take different turns to the way we would wish and no parent should be left feeling like they failed due to the fact that they didn’t achieve each point on their birth plan/preferences!  Safety of mum and baby must always be at the forefront of any decisions made.

8 important notes to consider when writing your plan:

1. Choosing where to have your baby and with which doctor

   This is an important decision to make as it will not only dictate the environment in which you will birth but also the type of care in terms of who may be present during your labour and birth.  You may ask “can I change my mind?”, YES, you can change your mind and any time during your pregnancy, you need to feel comfortable with the environment and the care giver you have chosen.  Ultimately the best environment for you to give birth to your baby is one where you feel safe, comfortable, well supported and relaxed, there is no right and no wrong!

2. Choosing who will be with you when you have your baby

    You may feel that you would like some extra support on the day and you can always look into the option of hiring a doula.  A doula supports a woman and her family during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood.  This support is practical and emotional but non-medical in nature.  For more information, you can visit www.doula.org.uk

3. Pain relief options

   hypnobirthing techniques, birthing in water, gas, and air, Tens machine, epidural, pethidine.  Consider which of these options you would like.

4. Thoughts on induction of labour

    going into labour naturally is the best thing for you and baby in most cases.  Occasionally labour needs to be induced for the safety of mum and baby.  Have a think about how you feel about this. 

5. Birthing Environment

    Who do you want in the room with you?  Do you have a preferred smell you can use? Would you like to have music playing? How would you like the lighting to be (dimmed lights preferably)?  Would you like to use a birthing ball/stool? Would you like to use a pool?

6. During labour

    Minimal people in the room, free movement if possible, use of different positions, minimal vaginal examinations.

7. Birthing your baby 

   Choice of birth positions, no directed pushing, who wants to receive the baby? Who wants to announce the sex?

8. After the baby is born

   Considerations for placenta delivery.  Cord to be clamped and cut when pulsation has ceased.  Vitamin K to be administered?  Observations and weighing not to be rushed.

Good luck with your birth planning!