During pregnancy, there are a million decisions we have to make. Everything from choosing our OB or Midwife, to finding out baby’s gender, to which birth classes to attend is all up to us. The important thing to note is that we have options, and we have a voice in how our pregnancy goes. So birth should be no different. Many women can feel overwhelmed with decisions and forget they have a say in what happens.

Birth Plans are a great way to very clearly and easily let your preferences be known and keep your voice. Obviously, nothing with birth goes exactly according to plan, but having your basic wants/needs or things you are very passionate about covered is a great place to start. It is a good idea to tour your hospital before writing your birth plan so you know standard hospital policies. This saved me a ton of time because I already knew what my hospital was set up for and what they routinely do. Therefore I was able to leave some parts out because I already agreed with their normal practices. With so many doctors and nurses cycling into your room, birth plans are a great way to keep everyone on the same page without having to keep repeating yourself during labor. Having your preferences written out also helps reinforce your voice and shows that you’ve done research into your options. It is best to keep these short and sweet. No one is going to read your 3-page essay style birth plan. One page and bullet points are best!

Things to include:

Labor

1. Basic Personal Information

Include your name, due date, blood type, and any pregnancy complications you may have had (high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, etc)

2. Continuous vs Intermittent monitoring
3. Should visitors be allowed in?
4. Different positions you may want to labor in
5. Pain medication preferences
6. Induction preferences (if necessary)

Delivery

1. Pushing positions you want to try
2. Perineum support/massage
3. Delayed cord clamping
4. Who cuts the cord?
5. Are vacuum or forceps okay?
6. Episiotomy vs natural tearing
7. Include your “in case of emergency” preferences as well

C-Section: Who will be in the OR with you? Free arm movement? Skin to Skin in OR?

If NICU is required: Is formula okay? Pacifiers? Who stays with the baby?

Who makes your medical decisions if you are unable?

Post-Partum

1. Golden Hour
2. Vitamin K and Hep B shots?
3. Eye ointment/gel
4. When are visitors allowed?
5. Breastfeeding vs formula
6. Delayed bathing
7. Pain management for tearing/stitches

Extras

• Saving Placenta for Encapsulation
• Cord Blood Banking
• Birth Photographer

Even if you end up not using a birth plan or your experience goes nothing according to plan….like mine. It is a great tool to keep you informed about your options and encourages you to do some very important research before the big day.

Below is an easy, stress-free template to use! Just fill in the blanks and you are all set!