What is a birth plan?

What is a birth plan?
A birth plan is a written statement that informs your caretakers of your birthing preference. Since birth can be unpredictable the birth plan is used more as a guide than as direct orders.
How do you come up with a birth plan?
First off, you want to know what your options are. Good question to keep in mind are:
Where will your baby be born?
When will you go to your birth place?
What prepping procedures will you go through?
How will the baby be monitored in labor?
Will you be free to move, walk, change positions at will?
Will there be time limits on the length of your labor or pushing?
What positions might you use to push?
How will you push?
Will you have an episiotomy?
Will you take pictures?
Will you breastfeed immediately?
Who will cut the cord? Who will collect cord blood?
Will the baby ever be taken from the parents?
(There are pros and cons to every answer, so you want to be will informed. A doula or child birth educator can be very helpful.)
Emotions play a big part in how a birth plan comes together. Both mother and coach need to decide what things are important to them and then discuss their feelings and make any necessary compromises. Listing your choices in order of important will help organize your thoughts and will direct you to the areas of most concern. Remember to keep your choices realistic. Run your thoughts by your caregivers. Our goal for your birth plan is to have your choices supported by your birth team. Keep in mind the location of your birth may have rules or policies that may not support your birth plan. Take time to discuss emergency situations and find out how your provider would handle them. This with help reduces stress, if during labor don’t go as planned.
Keep the overall tone of your birth plan polite and pleasant. You do not want your birth team to see this as a list of demands. Also note your flexibility should an unexpected situation arise. This can help everyone feel more confident and increase your chances of having the birth experience you want.
The well being of mother and baby comes first. Birth can be very unpredictable and decisions affecting their lives and health may require quick action. Understanding and flexibility are the key to having you and your birth team working together to provide a loving encouraging environment for your birth experience.
Resources:
www.birthplan.com
www.childbirth.org
www.babycenter.com
www.kidshealth.org
www.babyzone.com