Writing a birth plan is a way for you to not only express your desires, hopes and expectations regarding an impending birth, but it is also a way for you to organize your thoughts about the coming experience.
Some things that the plan should include would be whether you intend to use medication or pain relief, be induced, being able to move around during labor, who will be with you as you labor, (and what criteria would require the removal of said people). What position do you want to give birth in? What standard procedures will you consent to regarding the baby after birth.
Creating a birth plan gives you incentive to investigate what is available in terms of services, care providers and places and what each has to offer you. There are so many resources around to help you understand the whole birthing process, you may discover that you feel passionately about options that prior to this exercise you didn't even know existed. At the very least the process of investigating and writing will empower you through the whole birth, in that you will know what to expect and what you can count on from whom.
Birth plans are more of a map to what you are hoping your birth experience will be. You should keep in mind that rarely does everything ever go exactly as planned. Be flexible, know that if emergencies happen, that is why we have professionals.
While you might not what certain interventions if they can be helped, sometimes it is more important to have an intervention than to lose your child.
If you are very positive that you do not want a particular procedure or medication used unless it is medically necessary, use language like "I do not consent to.." in your birth plan. You also need to talk with your care provider prior to the birth. You doctor of midwife is there to provide a service for you, you need to communicate to them how they can best provide that service.
Some Tips from Emily Flynn of the Seattle Examiner are
* Begin with your name, the name of your partner (if any), who else will be joining you at the birth (doula, friend, mother, etc.), your care provider, and intended place of delivery.
* Include any desire to have music playing, dim lights, few people in the room (including no residents or students), and other mood setting considerations.
* Express your desire to avoid inductions, if you choose, or wanting to go home or avoid augmentation if labor is progressing slowly.
* Any concerns on having or avoiding pain medications and/or operative delivery methods; changing positions in labor and pushing; being allowed to eat, drink, and walk around; using a birth tub or the shower; occasional electric fetal monitoring vs. constant monitoring; waiting for spontaneous rupturing of the membranes; and other comfort measures and consent to procedures.
* Consent to standard newborn procedures and any desire to breastfeed and have skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth. Wishes for contact with baby if she has to be observed in the nursery for any period of time.
Having care providers who express support of your birth decisions in pregnancy is paramount to having a positive birthing experience. All these issues should be discussed with your provider before delivery. Make sure to call in advance to see if you will need to request extra time in your appointments to do so.
A doula can be a great resource in helping you write a plan that suits your needs and wishes. They are also strong advocates for the birthing mother, helping her have her desires realized to the extent that is possible. She can be there to remind you of what you wanted when others may be pushing you to change your mind, and she is always there to support you in whatever decisions are ultimately made.
We spend a lot of time debating the best options for any given thing and we can feel thankful for having the range of choices and the power and freedom to make our own decisions in life. Pregnancy and birth are profound experiences in anyone's life and should be treated with no less thoughtfulness and care. Taking some time in the prenatal period to weigh out all the available options and alternatives can make all the difference in this special time.
