So you want to know how to write a birth plan, but are not sure where to start. Maybe you are a first-time mom, unsure of where to even begin because you have absolutely no idea where to start.
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Today you are going to learn exactly how to write a birth plan, so that you can optimize those chances of having an empowering birth, despite the wild nature of the birthing process. To begin though, we should probably cover this important question:
What is a birth plan?
What is a Birth Plan?
A birth plan can look vastly different depending on how the mother wants to birth. Most commonly, a birth plan is a document that contains all the information about who a mother is and how they want to birth their baby. A natural birth plan would contain information all about how the mother wants to optimize their physiology to give birth naturally.
A birth plan should includes labor preferences, pain management desires, wishes for monitering, preferences for interventions, birth preferences, wishes for the immediate postpartum period, feeding circumstances, atmosphere preferences, and postpartum plan.
Why is a Birth Plan Important?
While knowing how to write a birth plan is important because it communicates your wishes to your birth team, it is also even more important because it is an incredible opportunity to become educated on all of your different options! There are so many ways to birth, and a birth plan allows you to dive deep into your dream birth, as well as to create empowering alternatives in case you need to change course with your birth.
Your birth plan will also allow you to communicate exactly what you want of your birth team, which should allow you to focus on having your baby instead of answering various questions.
It is also an amazing opportunity to decipher if your birth team is right for you. Your birth team should be supportive of the birth and postpartum that you desire. If they react negatively towards your birth plan, it is probably a sign that you need to find a different birth team to support you.
How to Create One
Now that you know how important a birth plan is, let’s dive into how to write a birth plan!
Mode of Display
Before getting into what is actually in your birth plan, we need to talk about how to write a birth plan it down, aka how you are physically going to present the information. Now, there are so many different options on how to communicate your birth plan. Here are a few options for you:
Type out as a PDF Document
One option is to simply type your birth plan out as a PDF document. If you do this make sure to use a clear and concise font, and categorize the different section of your plan using bold lettering and headings. Be specific in your desires, leaving no room for your providers to question what your want for yourself and your baby.
Try to keep this document as a single page to ensure that providers thoroughly read through it.
Use Large Symbols to Communicate Plan
Pull up Canva or a pre-made template and use large symbols to typify exactly what you want. A good example of this comes from Milli Hill’s Visual Birth Planner, which you can find and use at this link.
Use a Pre-made Template
Websites such as Etsy sell amazing templates so you just have to fill in the blanks. Be warned, however, that some of these may not have every category that should be included on the plan, so make sure to refer to my list below so that you have everything you need in your birth plan.
Sharing Your Birth plan
In order to share your birth plan, print out several copies. One should be with your doula, one with your birth partner, one with your midwife, and one in your hospital bag, even if you are planning to birth out of the hospital.
What to Include in Your Birth plan
Now that you have the how and the why, let’s get into the what, so you know exactly what to put in your birth plan, and can be confident in knowing how to write a birth plan.
Contact Information
This should include your full name, your birth partner’s name, your doula’s name and role, and if you are having an out-of-hospital birth, the name of your midwife.
Labor Preferences
Your labor preferences are very important to include. This involves your labor up until the pushing stage. In this section, be sure to include these things:
- Preferred labor postions
- Preferences for movement
- Preferred use of a shower or tub
- Preferred birth equipment (i.e. birth ball, peanut ball, squat bar, etc.)
Pain Management
This is such a good opportunity to dive into what you want to use for pain management during labor. You can do your research and decide what you believe will be best for you. Some pain management techniques you are specify are:
- Use of hydrotherapy (tub or shower)
- Massage
- Hip Squeezes
- Hypno-birthing
- Breathing Techniques
- Laugh Gas
- Epidural/Medical Pain Relief: If you do not want an epidural/pharmaceutical pain relief, make it clear that you do not want anyone to ask if you want one, unless you yourself ask.
Atmosphere Preferences
What do you want your birth cave to be like? This matters, as it can constitute safety for your body to work its magic and birth your baby.
- Lighting preferences
- Surrounding noise/people speaking
- People present during your labor and birth
- Music preferences
- Smell/aromatherapy preferences
Fetal Monitering
What are your desires for fetal monitoring? You do have a choice in the matter, and it is important to do the research ahead of time. These are the things you can specify in your birth plan:
- Desired Frequency of Fetal Monitoring
- Preferences for CTG
- Preferences for Intermittent Monitoring
- Preferences for No Monitoring
- Preferred Tools Used for Monitoring
Interventions
What interventions are you okay with? What ones are you not okay with? This can be in or out of the hospital. It is very important that you do your research and spell this out clearly.
- Be clear about what you do not want
- Preferences about pitocin
- Preferences about episiotomy
- Preferences about instrumental delivery
- Preferences about people speaking to you
- Preferences about the epidural
- Preferences about vaginal examinations
Pushing Preferences
What do you desire for birthing your baby? This matters, and you absolutely have a say in it. Here are some things to consider:
- Preferred pushing position(s)
- Who catches the baby?
- What type of perineal protection do you want?
- Do you want delayed chord clamping? If so, specify that you want this until the chord stops pulsating.
- Do you want immediate skin-to-skin?
- Who will cut the umbilical chord?
- If baby needs assistance, do you want any interventions to be done with your baby on you?
Immediate Postpartum
This is a very important time in your birth, as your transition into mother and your baby transitions into life. It is so important, especially in the hospital setting, that you specify your wishes for the immediate postpartum.
- Preference with management of 3rd stage of labor (You do not have to say yes to pitocin, please, do your research!)
- Preferences for golden hour
- Preferences for skin-to-skin with baby
- Preferences for breastfeeding initiation
- Preferences for delaying mother and baby procedures
- Rooming in with baby
- Wishes for circumcision
- Wishes for Vitamin K, Hep B, eye ointment
Feeding Preferences
If birthing in the hospital, there are many things that can disrupt breastfeeding. Having a plan to mitigate these disruptions can make a big difference.
- Breastmilk or formula
- Wishes for bottle or pacifier use
- Plans for lactation consultant (if you are able, it is a good idea to hire a private lactation consultant!)
Postpartum Care
In the days following birth, it is important that your birth team is aware of your wishes for postpartum. Here are some things to consider:
- Postpartum pain management
- To have or to not have visitors? How many? Visiting hours?
- Preferences for hospital staff involvement during postpartum
Special Circumstances
Birth is wild, and things can change. I strongly recommend that you have a birth Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C. This works for some moms, but others mentally need to stick with a Plan A. That is okay too. Do what works for you, but know that it can be very empowering to know that you have a plan B and C if new things need to be communicated to your providers.
Make sure to communicate preferences for how you want to involve your birth partner/midwife/doula in decision making, in the case of changing plans.
PLAN A: Your dream birth. Your plan and everything you desire your birth team to follow.
PLAN B: If you are having a home birth and decide to make a non-emergent hospital transfer, what is your plan B? How do you want your birth to look now that you are at the hospital? If you were planning an unmedicated hospital birth but decide to get an epidural, what are your wishes moving forward?
PLAN C: If you have a cesarian section, you can still make plans for it! What are your preferences? Do you want a gentle cesarian with a clear drape? You can absolutely communicate these things!
Recap on How to Write a Birth Plan
Creating a birth plan can be so empowering. It can be an amazing opportunity to do thorough research and truly decide what you want for the birth of your child. It is your birth and you get to call the shots!
Do you think you will thrive more without a written plan? If you are birthing in the hospital, I highly recommend creating some sort of written document, as you may not receive the same provider that you’ve been seeing throughout your pregnancy.
Do you have continuity of care? Make sure that your desires are clear with your midwife, and then have a written backup plan just on the super slim chance you transfer to the hosptial.
Want more guidance in creating your birth plan? Check out my birth coaching services in the birth hub!
