How to Create a Birth Plan, and Why you Need One.

Did you know that 1 out of 3 mothers do not even have a birthing plan?

That means 36% of new moms go confused and in a panic into the hospital on the delivery day with no real idea or plan as to how their little one is going to make it into this world. 1 in 3 moms completely miss the opportunity to decide ahead of time the medical interventions and pain management options that they have.

**Disclaimer- I received educational information and assets from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinion. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.**

Instead, their birth plan is left up to the medical professionals. The medical professionals may or may not share their same opinions and beliefs—people who do not have to live the lives of these new moms once they leave the hospital.

Scary thought, eh?

And to think that all of this could be changed if these moms had a plan.

Why All Moms NEED a Birth Plan

Having a birth plan that you have laid out ahead of time gives you a CHOICE. It allows you to sit down and figure out exactly what you want for yourself and your baby before all of the emotion of the moment kicks in.

Yes, I know. Sometimes your birth plan gets thrown completely out the window. But at least until that moment comes, it allows you to feel like you are in control. This control comes in handy when you are in a room full of medical professionals who have their own opinions. This plan allows your voice to be heard over the commotion and craziness of childbirth.

Things Moms Should Discuss in a Birth Plan

A birth plan can be as detailed and descriptive as you would like it to be, but the following are a few key points to consider:

• Who will you allow in the room?
• Who makes the decisions for you in the event you cannot?
• What medical interventions are you most comfortable with for progressing labor? Least comfortable with?
• What is your plan for pain management during labor?
• Are you seeking a traditional birth, or are you interested in an alternative birthing option? (Water Birth, etc.)
• What do you envision your baby’s first moments to be? (Skin-to-skin, first bath, delayed cord clamping?)
• What is your plan for pain management post-delivery? Does it include the use of opioids?
• In the event of a C-section, what plans change for you?

With my first child, my birth plan was vague and did not cover nearly what it should have. I was left trying to decide through pain, sleep deprivation, and pure exhaustion what should be happening with myself AND my baby. (Great time to realize you should have had this stuff planned, right?)

With the arrival of my second, my plan was laid out and I found my ability to fight for my choices to be much more successful. My research had been done in the months prior, my questions had been asked, and my team was informed. I am here to tell you, that knowing these things ahead of time made a world of difference.

Who Should Help Create Your Plan

While you are the main benefactor of your birth plan, there are others who will make your life easier if you include them in the decision-making process.

Obviously, your partner can be a huge support in helping you to create a plan that is perfect for your family. When it came to both of my babies, my husband was often times getting texts in the middle of the night when he was at work asking his preference on different areas of the plan. A big decision for us was always the pain management side of things.

With my son, I was in labor for 26 hours and large levels of Pitocin were used to induce labor. Following his birth, I was in a TON of pain. Knowing I had non-opioid options following both my son’s and my daughter’s births led me to be much more relaxed, as it eased my fears of leaving an impact on my newborns due to our choice to breastfeed. My husband was a huge support in ensuring my voice was being heard on these decisions, even when I was too exhausted to be relaying my own opinions.

Also to be included in the planning process should be your medical team. Be it an OB/GYN, or a midwife, making sure that you are having open conversations about your birth plan and getting your questions answered at every appointment will leave you feeling more relieved comes time for your little one to arrive.

What to Do with Your Birth Plan

Ok, so now you have this birth planned out from start to finish. So what do you do with it?

Mama, you are going to share that puppy with the world.

Ok, not literally, but you are going to start sharing it with all of your potential team players. Heading to your doctor’s appointment? Take a copy for them. Meeting with a doula? Hand her a copy and go over it. Your mom your backup ride to the hospital? Make sure she knows your wants and wishes. Is false labor sending you to labor and delivery early? Take a copy with you and share it then too.

It may seem like overkill at the time, but YOU know that your friends, family, and medical team know ahead of time that you do have a plan. That alone will give you peace of mind.

Oh, and do not forget to ensure your partner has a copy in his back pocket. He may need that for some of the technical terminology.

How Far to Take Your Plan

While in an ideal world, everything with your childbirth experience would work out according to plan, you have to remember this is real life. At the end of the day, we are working with human lives, so your plan may have to flex a bit.

In the event that this happens, do not be afraid to discuss your former plan and see if your pain management choices still apply.

Yes, you may need an emergency C-section that was not planned. If you and your doctor have already discussed pain management options that do not include opioids before delivery, however, then know you still have the choice to pursue that route.

Just because your plans get a little shaken up, does not mean you lose all control of YOUR birth. Push for those choices that feel right to you, and you may be surprised how much your doctors can help to make your wishes be fulfilled in the delivery room.

Well mama’s, my hopes are that this gives you enough of a solid start to get your birth plan formed.

Please remember during this process that your choices matter when it comes to all things related to your birth, particularly your pain management and your concerns related to those issues. For more information about non-opioid pain management and postsurgical pain relief, please check out the Choices Matter Campaign at planagainstpain.com.

Do you have a birth plan, or did you for your children? Tell me about your plan and how to go below! I would love to hear from you! Want to check out one of my personal birth stories? Check out my story on the Birth of a Mommy here.