Birth Plans - What, Why, and How

In my previous blog, Decisions to Consider When Preparing for Hospital Births, I discussed all of the many decisions that will be made for you unless you voice otherwise. Educate yourself as much as possible so you are prepared to have the birth that you wish for. It's your birth, your body, and your baby, and the decisions you make will set the stage for your recovery, as well as the start of your baby's new life into this world.

What is a Birth Plan?

A birth plan is a written document that expresses your preferences for labor and delivery to your medical team. It helps refresh your provider's memory during labor, and informs any new medical staff of your wishes. 

Labor changes for everyone, and the unexpected often arises, but having a plan outlined is a great way for your needs to be expressed and followed (so long as there are not emergencies). 

Why is a Birth Plan Important?

Creating a Birth Plan allows you to take control and be in charge of the birth you want. It clearly communicates your wishes with hospital staff. However, do keep in mind that births can be unpredictable, and intervention may be necessary in emergency situations.

Writing Your Birth Plan

• Keep it short, simple, and to the point

• List only what's most important to you.

• Keep it positive. Try to avoid the words and phrases that include "no" or "don't". Find the positive side of what you want and say it that way. 

• Make it relevant. No need to list wishes the hospital already accommodates, and the nurses don't need to know that you wish to labor at home for as long as possible.

• Choose your battles. You can refuse any intervention when it's offered - Just ask for a waiver.

• Make it easy to read. Avoid using small fonts or handwriting. Use bullet points and leave some blank space. Print it on colored paper to distinguish it from the white papers in your file.

• Personalize it. Attach a snapshot of you and your partner to the birth plan to identify who provided the food basket.

• Say it with food. Providing a basket of healthy snacks will be appreciated by nurses working long hours. Your birth preferences, with photo attached, will be read by every nurse at the station when presented with a small basket or gift bag of healthy snacks. Bring an additional basket for the postpartum nurses too!

• Solicit their help. Most doctors and nurses go into the health profession because they want to help. However, because they are in the medical profession, many of them have never seen a natural (unmediated) birth, and they truly believe that the epidural, episiotomy, I.V., catheter, internal fetal monitoring, etc. are all"helpful". Asking for their help in avoiding such interventions gives them a different perspective.

Here is a sample birth plan you may use and amend to fit your needs. Even if you have a scheduled cesarean, you may still want a birth plan to discuss decisions such as cord clamping. No matter your situation, remember this is your birth, your baby, and your body, and you have say over the decisions made.

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