Your little bundle of joy is ALMOST here and you've found yourself googling what to expect. If you're anything like me, maybe you've watched some birth vlogs, listened to birth podcasts, or scrolled endlessly on Pinterest and Google to see what this birth part will entail. Perhaps you've even come across the term, 'Birth Plan', and now you're panicking because you don't have one written out. STOP! Take a deep, slow, purposeful breath and bring yourself back to center.
Birth Plans started to be more readily introduced and documented in 1980s as a way for expectant mothers to engage in discussions with their birth team and physicians (Kuo et. al, 2010). Can you imagine all the mothers' for the last centuries who were just told what to do and had no input into their own child's birth? How frustrating that must have been! We know that the health and well-being of both a mother and a child at birth largely determines the health and well-being of the entire family (World Health Organization, 2005). Therefore it makes sense that as a society we have become more inclusive of a mother's wishes and needs when birthing a child. In my humble opinion we still have a long way to go, but baby steps are better than no steps forward!
Some parents' choose to have no plan and allow babe(s) to make their grand entrance into the world as they wish and with whatever needs to be done. Some parents' feel calmer going into this momentous event with a plan for action. I want you to know right now that there is NO right or wrong way. The best way is whatever is best for you, your family, and your babe.
If you are sitting here staring at your screen wondering what the heck'n'bob a birth plan even is, let me fill you in. A birth plan is a document created by parent's with their wishes for the labor and delivery. This plan needs to be reviewed with your physician, Obstetrician, Midwife, Doula, or any other member of your birth team so that upon entering labor everyone knows your wishes and how best to honor them. Birth plans usually contain information such as:
Your name & your partner's name
Your Physician's name
Where you want the birth to happen (hospital, birthing center, at home)
Who you'd like to deliver your baby (family doctor, obstetrician, etc.)
Who you'd like to be present during the labor and birth
Things I'd like to try (birthing ball, shower, tub, squat bar, etc)
When the time comes to push babe out, your preferences (Want or don't want coaching)
Position you'd like to push in (side-lying, hands and knees, on your back, standing, etc.)
Pain Management Preferences (laughing gas, narcotics, epidural, acupressure, self-hypnosis, breathing techniques, etc.)
In case of C-Section
After the birth (hold baby right away, partner cut umbilical cord, breast feed right away, etc.)
Your birth plan can include a variety of other non-popularized things as well. Perhaps you want a diffuser with a soothing essential oil, a birth playlist that's calming for you playing, the lights dimmed, minimal cervical checks, or anything else that makes you feel calm, present and in control of your experience. Just ensure to check with your birth site and ensure they are agreeable to accommodating your requests as some facilities have rules around this.
Some birth plans are long and detailed, presented in a nice little ringed binder. There is a good chance even half of that plan won't happen so be prepared to be flexible now that you're armed with that knowledge. Some birth plans are simple, "have a healthy baby and live to tell the tale." Birth plans are a great resource to have so that you can have the experience you want for you and your baby's BIG entrance into this world. However, sometimes things don't always go as planned and that's where some parents' can become frustrated. Sometimes baby just has other plans and you won't be able to have x-y-or z done. It's okay to be sad but also keep in mind it's important baby get here safely. While it's important to have a choice in your childbirth experience, it's also important to trust your doctor and/or medical team you've chosen. Be flexible in your plan and ultimately remember it's not up to you or your birthing team. It's ALL ultimately up to your baby. They will make their entrance when and how they want, sometimes requiring some assistance of course, but mostly as they see fit.
Here are a few examples of birth plans found online for you to check out as a quick resource. If none of these fit your needs, feel free to make your own! It should be totally customized for you!
We here at Floruit & Sprout wish you the best for your labor and delivery, no matter if you choose to have a birth plan or not.
"Whenever and however you give birth, your experience will impact your emotions, your mind, your body, and your spirit for the rest of your life"- Ina May Gaskin
Resources:
Kuo S. C., Lin K. C., Hsu C. H., Yang C. C., Chang M. Y., Tsao C. M., Lin L. C. (2010). Evaluation of the effects of a birth plan on Taiwanese women’s childbirth experiences, control and expectations fulfillment: A randomised controlled trial. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 47(7), 806–814 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.11.012 [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
World Health Organization (2005). World health report 2005: Make every mother and child count. Geneva, Switzerland: Author [Google Scholar]
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