Birth plans, birth wishes, birth preferences, or whatever you prefer to call it can be a useful tool. The work of going through what is important to you and your partner in your birth is likely the best part of creating a birth plan, no matter if you actually print it out.
Birth wishlists can be a great way to give the care team you are working with an idea of the ideal birth you hoped for. This way if paths stray from what you envisioned the staff can help keep it as close to your ideal as possible.
What you can include in your plan:
- Basic information: your name, partner’s name or support person’s name, doula’s name, important phone numbers, your care provider’s name
- Important items to know about the birthing person: allergies, or medical conditions the staff should be reminded of
- Ideas for coping and what is important to you in early and active labor: After going through options in birth include those that really stand out to you as what you hope for in this birth.
- Pushing preferences
- Placenta plans: If choosing placenta encapsulation services it is a good idea to have this on your birth preferences sheet as a reminder. Also mentioning if you intend to use a cord blood banking service.
- Cesarean birth preferences: items like clear drapes used, support people you want present, skin to skin if possible after birth.
- Newborn care: erythromycin eye ointment, vitamin K, hepatitis B, circumcision/intact
- Feeding preferences: it is nice to note if you are planning on breastfeeding, or formula feeding, or some combination
A smart idea is to write a long detailed plan for yourself that goes through all the options and ideals you have. Then that plan is for you. Trim and omit the unnecessary items to create a simpler plan to hand in to your birth staff. Creature comforts like dim lighting, do not need to be on your staff’s plan.
Pro-tips for birth plans
- Keep it simple! Bullet points and simple statements to convey your wants is ideal. Also birth plans should not be so detailed you are telling your provider and staff how to do their job. Some plans simply state one item, for example “We would prefer open communication throughout the entire process.”
- Be positive! Use phrases like “we prefer x,y,z” instead of “NO X,Y,Z!”
- Thank the staff! Your care providers and nurses want you to have a lovely experience. They work hard and long shifts. Tell them how excited you are to be at that facility with the wonderful staff you have selected.
- Make it fun! Say what?! If you can find a way to make it funny, or light, or cute in some way, the staff will enjoy reading it. Some clients in the past have made it sports themed, or added a funny comic. One couple made it look like a movie poster!
When making your birth wishes list explore all the things you envision or hope for. It is a great activity to get you thinking about the experience you’d like. A place you can learn about your birthing options is through a childbirth education course. Check out Metro Detroit Doula Service’s offerings today!
by Andrea Stainbrook