Creating a Birth Plan - Where To Start?

You don't have to make a birth plan, many women don't. If you do, it's there to help your midwife to know what your choices are. When you arrive at hospital you could be feeling several ways, scared, excited, in pain... reeling off what you want to happen, and how you want it to happen may be the last thing on your mind.

Creating a birth plan is a good idea as it makes you mentally aware of what your choices are, and that you are making those choices , not anybody else. It reminds you that you are in control or your baby's birth, and you won't be forced into anything that you don't want too (but don't have the courage, or the energy to say)

You can start creating a birth plan whenever you feel ready, but don't leave it too late. You don't want to be still scribbling away at it while you're on your way to the hospital! If you start it too early you may find that you will change your mind many times while are you progressing through your pregnancy. It should really be finished though by the time you are 37 weeks, as your baby can arrive any time after that.

How would you start writing a birth plan?

When creating a birth plan, make sure your instructions are clear and to the point. Doctors and midwives are unlikely to read through half a dozen pages just to see how long you wanted to sleep after your baby is born!

Your birthplan can include as much or as little information as you want:

Do you want to have a bath in the hospital?

Who is going to be with you at the birth?

How you feel about being induced.

How long do you want people to stay, just while you're in labour or right through the birth?

Do you want to use pain relief?

Do you want to walk around while labour progresses?

Do you want to eat and drink while you're in labour?

Do you want to hold baby as soon as she is born, or do you want her cleaned up first?

Do you want baby placed straight onto your tummy after the birth?

Does Dad want to cut the cord?

You can also include information along the lines of your religion and beliefs. If there is anything that you are worried about.

You can give a copy of your plan to your birthing partner, along with a revised version just in case you do need medical intervention such as c-section. You still have many choices that you can make, even if there is a problem. You can then either keep the birthplan for yourself, and show it to your midwife if you feel that you want to. Or you can include a copy in your maternity notes (if you do this make sure that your midwife is aware of it when you arrive at the hospital.

There are times of course when your birth plan just can't be followed to the point (this is why it's a good idea to have a back-up plan at the ready). If it will endanger your baby for instance, or if there is a need for medical intervention throughout the delivery.You could even make 3 plans, one for a normal delivery, one if intervention is needed (forceps or ventouse) and one for c-section. Look up your choices and write them down.

Once you have handed your birth plan to your midwife, you can still change your mind . Don't be afraid to tell her that it's not what you want anymore!

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