Making a birth plan
What's a birth plan?A birth plan is a good way to communicate with the doctors and nurses who will help you during labor and your baby's birth. A birth plan outlines how you would like your labor, birth and hospital stay to go. Many parents find it helpful to write down their preferences before labor starts -- when there's time to discuss options and think through decisions. Think of your birth plan as a list of preferences that may be adjusted according to what actually happens. Although the health care providers at your hospital will work with you to follow your birth plan, your safety and the safety of your baby are their priorities. Depending on how your labor progresses and your baby reacts to labor, some requests in your birth plan may not be possible or appropriate. How do I write a birth plan?Our birth plan worksheet (requires Adobe Reader) can give you a good start. You may fill it out and use it as a birth plan or refer to it as you write your own document. As you develop your birth plan, discuss your preferences with your partner and health care provider. Be sure to state how you want to be supported during labor and delivery. What would you like as comfort measures? Which relaxation techniques would you like to try? It can be tempting to make absolute decisions now for what you think you'll want later (i.e. "I won't take any medications," "I'm definitely not having an episiotomy"). But making such firm choices before your labor begins isn't practical. Go ahead and state your preferences, but wait until you are in labor before finalizing your decisions. What should I do with my birth plan?Share your birth plan with your health care provider at your next office visit, and ask that a copy be placed in your chart at the hospital. Put a copy in your labor bag, as well. When you arrive at the hospital, show it to and discuss it with your nurses. What if things don't go as planned?Although it's good to state your preferences, you can't predict exactly how your labor will go -- how long it will last and how you will feel. When you're actually in labor, the hospital staff will work with you to make decisions that support the best outcomes for you and your baby. Don't feel guilty if you do not follow some or all aspects of your birth plan. You made the choices that were best for you, your child and the labor you experienced. Related Links Beginnings: Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond Pregnancy & Parenting eMagazine  Back to Pregnancy Care |
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Source: Allina Health System Press, Beginnings: Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond, fourth edition, ISBN 1-931876-14-2 First published: 11/14/2002 Reviewed by: Angela Christian, RN, perinatal education coordinator, St. Francis Regional Medical Center; Cynthia Fredrickson, coordinator of parent education, Abbott Northwestern Hospital; Cheryl Kirchner, RN, care center leader, The Birth Center of United Hospital and Children's Hospitals and Clinics - St. Paul
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