Writing Your Birth Plan

While completing a birth plan, you'll be learning about, exploring and understanding your labor and birthing options well before the birth of your child. This can also improve your communication with the people who'll be helping during your delivery.

For some expectant parents, birth plans can be intimidating, said Erin Neu, RN, OB Nurse Navigator at Franciscan Health Indianapolis.

“I like to use wish list rather than birth plan. Birth plans are great, but they can be a little intimidating to families,” she said. “So, a birth wish list could be, I want to come to the hospital and deliver my baby. And you tell me everything that I need to do or need to know. It could be very comprehensive. A birth plan could be, I come into the hospital, I want no medications for my delivery. I want just my support person present for delivery. It can be very specific to what their wishes are.”

What Is A Birth Plan?

A birth plan is a tool to help you discuss with your doctor what is most important to you during your child’s birth. It may cover topics including from pain relief to positions to breastfeeding to who may be present before or after delivery.

According to KidsHealth.org, the goal of a birth plan isn't for you and your partner to decide exactly how the birth of your child will happen — labor involves so many variables, you can't predict exactly what will happen. A birth plan does, though, help you to realize what's most important to you in the birth of your baby.

What Should Be Included In A Birth Plan?

Your birth plan should include what you want during the birth of your child.

“If there's maybe some special circumstances that perhaps this is going to be an early delivery, and mom and dad can plan for that ahead of time, they'll know what the policies and what they need to prepare for a baby in the NICU,” said Neu. “We just want to know what your wishes and what your hopes are for your delivery and your stay with us so that we can make that happen.”

The American Pregnancy Association gives tips and provides suggested questions for writing your birthing plan.

Stating Your Wishes For Childbirth

Keeping in mind that every birth is different and that the definition of a “normal” birth can vary, try to use terms and phrases like “birth preferences,” “our wishes for childbirth,” “as long as birth progresses normally,” or “unless there is an emergency.”

Design your birth plan with a positive focus. Instead of making a list of what you don’t want, focus on what you do want. Use phrases like, “we hope to,” “we plan to,” or “we anticipate.” Try to avoid phrases like, “we don’t want” or “we want to avoid.”

Planning for Emergencies

During childbirth, many women feel like they are losing control. A birth plan can help you maintain your focus and help you stay calm even if unexpected events occur.

“What's nice with a birth plan, is that if moms and support people can sit down together and come up with what their thoughts or what their feelings are and what they hope to happen for their delivery, and then things maybe go a different path, they sometimes are a bit more prepared for that,” Neu said.

Try to plan for the unexpected by using phrases like, “If a cesarean becomes necessary….” During birth, if you feel pressured to do something about which you are uncertain, you can ask if it is an emergency. You can also request more information on any aspect of the situation and time to think about it.

“Having some answers, if, for instance, the decision is made while they're in labor that mom needs now to have a Cesarean delivery or a C-section delivery,” Neu said. “Is dad going to be in the room with her during that? That's something that you don't want to answer in the moment. That's something that you maybe want to have talked about before you arrive at the hospital.”

Planning For Guests

Having a baby during a pandemic is not the easiest thing with all the restrictions, this includes the limit on visitors or support.

“It's unfortunate, but it's actually a bit of a blessing too. There's a little bit of silent stress, for families sometimes when there's a lot of people in the hospital,” Neu said. “And it's not that they don't want to share that experience with their family, but I think having just that one support person with you, it's very calming. You don't feel as rushed. You're able to breathe and take the time to enjoy the experience. And it's a very special time and you are going to get to share that baby with your family and your extended family and friends for a long time.”