What is a birth plan and do I really need one?

A birth plan is a written document that details your preferences, fears, and wishes surrounding the birth of your baby. This document will tell all caregivers you encounter during the birth of your baby how you would like your birth to go (if possible).

A birth plan is certainly not necessary, but is a good way to learn about all the options that are available and also to begin a detailed discussion with both your partner and your prenatal caregiver about your preferences, wishes and fears surrounding the birth of your baby. During the actual labor and delivery, when you probably aren’t thinking with the clearest mind, may not be the best time to make decisions about what care you want. By having a written birth plan that was created when you were of sound mind can make the labor and delivery run a lot more smoothly, and can alleviate some of the need to make decisions under pressure.

What should be included in a birth plan?

A birth plan should begin with a brief paragraph about you and your partner. This section could include such things as whether or not you have other children, if your pregnancy has been healthy, if you have suffered from any complications and what they were, and information about your culture or religious beliefs that will impact the delivery. This would also be a good place to give any special details about the people who will accompany you to the birth. For example my husband is terrified of needles and does not handle hospital settings very well. I would include this information in my birth plan so the nurses and doctors can be aware of the issue and keep that in mind during our stay in the hospital. Remember to keep this section brief and too the point so that any caregiver reviewing the document can get all the key facts quickly.

The next section of the birth plan should detail any important wishes, fears, or concerns you and your partner have about the labor and delivery. If you have had any prior miscarriages, stillbirths, or a child born with an illness or birth defect in the past that will affect your emotional state during the labor this is the place to disclose that. By knowing ahead of time what issues may come up your caregivers can be conscious of the special care your may require. You should also include in this section if your partner will want to cut the umbilical cord and who exactly you want in the delivery room with you besides your partner.

A very important, probably the most important part of the birth plan, is the outline of how you want to manage your labor pain. If you have any specific wishes regarding the use of medical intervention during your labor for pain management this is the place to detail those preferences. When you are in the midst of painful contractions you may make decisions regarding your pain management that differ from your wishes earlier in your pregnancy. By writing your wishes down early you can help ensure your caregivers are aware of your feelings toward the use of pain management and can help you stay on course.

You will also want to include a brief section regarding your wishes should complications arise during your birth. We all hope for and expect our labor and delivery to go smoothly, but deep down we also know that there is a very real possibility that something could go wrong. By including this section in your birth plan you will force yourself to consider what might go wrong and how you would like to approach those situations should they arise. This would be a great opportunity for you to address your concerns with your partner and with your caregiver. Often decisions are made quickly when complications arise, by having your wishes in writing and read early on by those caring for you during your labor and delivery you can better ensure your involvement in the decision making process. Plus you will have educated yourself about what can go wrong and what happens as a result so you will better understand what is going on.

The bottom line:

A birth plan is by no means a necessary part of preparing for your labor and delivery. It is, however, a great way to force yourself to become familiar with the various aspects of labor and delivery as well as what complications can arise. If you decide that a birth plan is right for you here are a few books that might help you in the development of your birth plan. Your prenatal caregiver can also provide you with some resources that can help in the development of your plan.

• Creating Your Birth Plan by Marsden Wagner & Stephanie Gunning

• The Birth That’s Right For You by Amen Ness, Lisa Gould Rubin & Jackie Frederick Berner

• The Birth Book by William & Martha Sears

Be sure to involve both your partner and your caregiver in the process as both will be key players in the birth of your baby. The birth plan can only work if everyone is aware of the plan, knows their role, and understands your position on the key aspects of your labor and delivery.