Birth Plans.
Can you actually plan your birth? Not really. So, should you write a birth plan?
Everyone has different opinions about the role a birth plan can play in a woman’s birth. Some will say that it creates a false sense of control or security and gives the illusion that birth can be controlled or predicted. “If I just write down that I don’t want an epidural, then surely I won’t need one!” Right? Wrong. A birth plan does not give you any extra control over your birth. I have seen birth plans end up on the floor in the hospital room with foot prints on them, or ones that were not well received by the staff because of how lengthy they were and how much unnecessary information was on them. Writing down “I want delayed cord clamping” on your birth plan and never mentioning it again is not your best way of having your wishes met. You do not want to let a piece of paper take away your ability to speak up and use your voice.
A birth plan is in essence, an oxymoron. There is no planning for birth. I mean, yes you can plan but because there are so many unknowns involved it’s like packing a suitcase without knowing where you’re going. Pack for a tropical getaway and find out that your plane is landing in Iceland, well you’re not exactly prepared, are you?
Is there any point in writing a birth plan? Preparing a birth plan can simply be a way for you and your birth partner to get on the same page about your wishes for birth. It can help you create a clear vision about the things you may desire or the interventions you wish to avoid. If both you and the people supporting you in birth know what you want and don’t want in different scenarios then they can help articulate these wishes.
You can choose to bring your birth plan to a doctor’s appointment or to the hospital to share with the staff, or you can keep it as a reference for you and your partner to make it easier to make choices during labour, birth and the postpartum period. It’s important to keep it clear, to the point and to understand what policies your hospital already has in place so that it doesn’t become redundant.
Here are some questions I suggest going over when writing a birth plan:
Do you want the staff to offer pain medication?
Would you like the ability to move freely within your birthing room?
Who would you like to have present at your birth? Is there anyone you would not like present?
What particular options would you like to have for pain management?
Would you like the freedom to labour and birth in whatever position you desire?
In case of a c-section, do you have any special requests?
Are there are tests or medications you would like to avoid for you or baby?
I always offer assistance to my clients if they wish to prepare a birth plan and they are given a full discussion worksheet to give them a starting point on what particular wishes they may have for the birth, along with ideas to articulate them during labour and birth. I also offer a Birth Preparation package which focuses directly on preparing for birth, writing a birth plan and understanding what to expect at your hospital and in your labour. You can contact me for more information.
