How to Create Your Birth Plan

    

About 20% of women have a negative or traumatic birth experience. This often leads to postpartum PTSD and other mental health issues. It is also very discouraging to the mother, especially if they are excited as they go into the birth. This issue is driven by a few different aspects: professional support, personalized care, expectation vs reality, informed decision-making, and the birth environment. 

Professional Support: When women feel continuously supported by their OB or Midwife throughout their pregnancy and birth, they are more likely to have a positive birth experience. 

Personalized Care: This is where a great doula comes in! Someone who can support the mother physically and emotionally through pregnancy and birth. They can also advocate for your specific wants and needs when you are unable to make those decisions. 

Expectation vs Reality: This is a topic that can be discussed with your doula as you are creating your birth plan. Typically you should have a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C. Every birth is different, and you truly never know how they will evolve. It is best to be prepared for all scenarios, so that you do not feel defeated afterwards.

Informed Decision-Making: It is too often that I see women being medically abused by their providers because the mother is unaware that she is able to make choices! Sometimes a mother will discuss her birth goals and then it all goes out the window when the big day comes. This leaves the mother feeling disrespected and often violated. When a mother comes into the hospital with a detailed birth plan, and a doula who is dedicated to advocating for that plan, she is empowered to have an amazing birth experience! 

Birth Environment: All women deserve to have a birth environment that honors privacy and dignity. A women should feel calm and supported during this special time. With my first child, I remember looking around the room and seeing 5 random people in the room that I did not want in there but I was too naive to say anything. I remember the lights being extremely bright, monitors beeping, nurses frantically buzzing around and telling me to push. I felt like everyone was ready to get the baby out but me! I felt so pressured to just get it over with so all these people could leave me alone. It ended up being a very traumatic experience for me. This can absolutely be avoided with a birth plan!

What is a birth plan?

A birth plan is a detailed document that states the birthing mothers preferences for her birth experience. It is usually completed with a doula (birth coach) that is able to help you make those informed decisions that will help you to have a positive birth experience. 

What should I include in my birth plan?

Your birth plan should start off with your birth goals. If you plan to have an unmedicated vaginal birth, that needs to be stated. If you plan to have a scheduled cesarean, that is good information to know before diving into the details. Then you should list your basic information, including your blood type, just in case a transfusion needs to be done. Some other things to include are pain management, monitoring, positioning, environment, pushing, tearing, placenta, and after birth preferences. 

How do I ensure that my provider adheres to my plan?

Bring your birth plan to your last few prenatal visits to go over it with your OB/Midwife. Discuss each of your decisions, but stand firm to your beliefs on why you made those choices. Ask about the hospital's policies on things such as cord clamping, newborn procedures, etc. Actually research these on the hospital's website yourself as well, because oftentimes, providers are busy and just trying to get as many births in as possible and don't want to wait the additional time that you are requesting. Remember-- they work for you!! 

Also be sure that your doula knows your birth plan up and down so that they are able to advocate for you when you are unable to have a voice because you are in the middle of an extreme part of labor. You should be able to be fully present, not worrying about the environment. If you do not have a doula, make sure that your partner or someone who will be in the room with you during your birth, is aware of your birth choices so that they can stick up for you when the time comes. 

I'm not sure what choices are best. Do you have resources?

Absolutely! You can't make an informed decision if you are not informed. 

Doula Support: Finding a good doula can help tremendously because they are able to answer any questions you have throughout your pregnancy leading up to your birth. They can sit down with you and discuss your birth preferences and create a birth plan with you. 

Birth Education: I will say that going through this Birth Boot Camp course was truly life-changing! It helped my partner and I learn so much about the physiological process of birth so that we were prepared for each stage going into it! They also have other courses available too: Home Birth Class, Hospital Birth Class, Breastfeeding Class, and a class about Life With Your New Baby that is great for first time moms! You can also follow my FB page: Empowered Birth Collective where I post all kinds of birth education and positivity. 

Etsy Resources: Check out this editable birth plan on my Etsy shop! I create lots of birth resources, so be sure to favorite my page!