How can a birth plan help?
Who is a birth plan for?
Reasons not to do a birth plan
Examples of birth plans
A birth plan is a written plan or verbal agreement outlining yours (and your partner's) preferences for the environment and procedures pertaining to the labour and birth of your child. A birth plan can range from a few ideas to an extensive plan covering many contingencies. A birth plan may also include requests unique to your religious or cultural beliefs (e.g. female caregivers only), or may address issues such as minimising vaginal examinations (for example if you have a history of sexual abuse). Some women request a water birth if possible and a few explore requests in the event of the death of their baby. You may wish to read
stillborn baby.
A birth plan is just that, a plan and plans change. Rather than a set of rigid requests your birth plan should aim to be more of a guide as to how you would like the labour and birth to be. Flexibility is the key with birth plans, bearing in mind the great unknown of what the labour will bring on the day. A good birth plan will plan as much for intervention as a normal birth. You may need to modify your plan several times during the course of your pregnancy as you read and learn more about different options.
How can a birth plan help?
A formal birth plan can be an effective way of communicating your wishes and decisions to your caregiver(s) when you are having your baby. This is especially so if you do not know who will be with you throughout your labour. Your birth plan can save you having to re-explain your wishes to new staff after a shift change.
Even if you have your own midwife or doctor they may not be there for the entire labour, or there could be some reason they may not be in attendance at all (say if they were sick or away). If your caregiver is generally busy and has many patients, they may also find it difficult to fully remember your individual preferences.