5 things you must have in your birth plan

The best way to express to your care provider and the birth team what's important to you for your birth is through birth plans, birth preferences, birth maps, or whatever name you feel most comfortable using.

A birth plan is a written document of your preferences before, during, and after the birth of your child.

A birth plan can help you understand your birth options, reduce your anxiety, and give you more confidence as you embark on this new journey.

Writing your birth plan

These are 5 must-have things you should include in your birth plan:

1. Birth support team: Your birth plan should include a list of your key supporters who will be assisting you during labour and birth, along with their names and phone numbers. Your obstetrician/midwife, your partner, your doula, and your child's pediatrician are some of these important people. It's a good idea to have emergency contacts listed too, especially if you're entering a situation where you don't know many people. These individuals should also have a copy of your birth plan so they can speak out for you in an emergency and also know your birth wishes/preferences. This helps them give you a birth experience very close to what you desire.
2. Birth Environment: The ideal birth environment can help progress your labour and increase levels of oxytocin, the "love hormone" that triggers contractions. Your birth environment can also aide in lowering stress hormone levels, which can stop or slow down labour. You can design a birth environment that would make you feel comfortable and secure, regardless of whether you are giving birth at home, in a birth centre, or in a hospital. Consider using aromatherapy, dimmer lights, or a birth playlist, to name just a few ideas for inspiration.
3. Pain management: You should include information about your preferences for pain management in your birth plan and let your care provider know about it so they can help you throughout labour. These preferences can be for non-medical pain management approaches like breathing, massage, hydrotherapy, TENS, or visualization. You can also include information for medical pain management procedures like an epidural or opioid medications.
4. Newborn care: List the things you want for your baby, such as delayed cord clamping, early skin-to-skin contact, and the early initiation of breastfeeding. All of these things will enhance mother-infant bonding within the first few hours after the baby is born.
5. Back-up plan: We are aware that not everything in life will go according to plan and that labour conditions can alter. It's crucial to have a back-up strategy in your birth plan in case things don't go according to plan during labour. Consider some of the comfort measures you might require in the event of an emergency C-section. Would you still like to hold the baby close to your skin, have the screen raised or lowered to watch the birth, and be accompanied to the theatre with your support partner.

About the author

Jeanine Newton, Dip CBEd (CBI)

Childbirth Educator

Phone: (868) 769-7838

Email: [email protected]

Evidence-based, informative and interactive sessions to prepare you for a positive birth experience.