So you’re pregnant and now your friends start asking you the question “have you written your birth plan yet?” or “What’s your plan for the birth?”
It can leave you feeling panicked if you have not thought about this yet and you may be left asking the question – what will happen if I don’t have a plan?
Rest assured, although it is often referred to as a ‘plan’, in reality we know that labour and birth is unpredictable. That being said, it is still important to consider what is important to you so that you and your midwife/obstetrician can work together to reach your goals. I like to call it your birth preferences as opposed to a plan as this is a good little reminder to us all that although we can be prepared for the birth, we also have to trust our body and our baby with what they decide to do.
What does a birth plan or birth preferences need to include?
It is important to remember here that this is your wants/needs/desires so it can contain as much or as little information as you want it to. That being said, something succinct and easy to read is always appreciated by us as midwives as we would rather spend the time looking after you than reading a very long document! Some women choose to not write any preferences and see what happens on the day. What is important (whether it is written down or not), is that you feel that the people caring for you understand your aims.
Here are just a few things that some women may include when writing a birth plan:
- Aims for the birth- for example planning a intervention free waterbirth or planning a scheduled caesarean.
- Who will be your birth partner
- Types of pain relief you might like, as well as ones they wish to avoid
- Type of fetal monitoring you would prefer- intermittent or continuous. Talk to your midwife/obstetrician what will likely be recommended and why. They will guide you on this.
- Positions you might like to try during labour and birth
- If you would like to be coached during pushing or allow your body to push without intervention
- If you would like your caregiver to use a warm compress on your perineum as your baby’s head is slowly stretching the area
- If you would like delayed cord clamping
- Who might cut the cord
- How might you give birth to the placenta?
- If you are having a caesarean, do you want the drape to be lowered as your baby is born
- Your plans re feeding your baby
- Whether you plan for your baby to stay with you at all times or if you are happy for them to go to the nursery.
- Who will stay with the baby if you or your baby are unwell
- Things you are particularly worried about
Firstly, do not panic if you are unsure of the answer to these questions. Your obstetrician will be there to guide you during your birth and offer practical and evidenced based advice. Secondly, this is not an exhaustive list of preferences. Your obstetrician should discuss your preferences when you are around 36 weeks pregnant. Discussing your aims as well as any concerns will enable you to understand what might be recommended during the birth and why. This will also increase trust and confidence in your caregiver as well as reduce fear and any anxieties surrounding your experience. Some women may also go into labour before they have a chance to consider their birth plan- rest assured that your midwife will also ask about all of the above points whilst caring for you during your labour.
At Beloved Bumps we have extensive experience in caring for women during labour and birth in all scenarios; homebirths, birth centres, delivery suites and during caesareans. We are therefore fully equipped to be able to support you when you are considering your birth preferences and what is important to you.
Need some help writing your preferences? Our Pregnancy Consultations are the perfect way to find your answers