How to start your “Dream Birth” Plan!

Congratulations! You’re getting ready to start your Birth Plan, and that is a HUGE step. It’s exciting for sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you were a little nervous and confused about what should be on there. Especially since all we hear about on social media and through friends is theirs got “tossed out the window”.

So, I’m sure you’re also wondering if it’s even worth the effort.

My professional opinion? Absolutely!

Because your Birth Plan isn’t just some paper that says “all natural birth unless medically necessary”. It’s how you advocate for yourself and communicate what you want and need from your medical staff and support people. It’s also a great way to plan for the scenarios where Birth Plan #1 might get tossed out the window, but you have your back up plan and preferences so you don’t feel that dreaded loss of control!

What is a Birth Plan?

To put it super simple, it’s a document that lays the foundation for what you want to happen during labor, birth and postpartum.

Download My Free Birth Plan Template

Start preparing for you Dream Birth by printing this template, fill it out and take it with you!

Birth Plans look different for everyone because everyone has a different vision of what their “dream birth” looks like, however, I’ve put together enough Birth Plans to know what absolutely needs to be on there for everyone. Even if the answers vary.

What most people get confused about concerning Birth Plans is thinking they’re specifically for “natural” birth.

So they’ll say “Oh, I’m getting an epidural so I don’t need a birth plan!” or “I’m getting induced, so a birth plan isn’t possible.”

But what happens if you’re one of the people the epidural doesn’t work for?

What happens if you have a provider that believes in routine episiotomies?

What if your induction doesn’t work? (You could have a birth plan that says, “If my induction fails and my waters haven’t broken, baby looks great, I look great, I want to go home and try again later!”

Oh, you didn’t realize you could go home and NOT have baby if your induction fails??YEAH, GIRL!

This is why it’s so important to learn as much as you can, while you can, before you get to 36 weeks.

Take a childbirth course! Then write up a rough draft or use a template, take it with you to your next provider appointment and go over it with them. Find a course that resonates with you and suits your learning style. If you’re interested in Hypnobirthing, I wrote a whole blog post and listed a resource for you to check out. If you just want a basic Childbirth Course that goes over everything from prep to the process, I created a course that’s straightforward and designed for hospital births. You can check that out HERE.

What do you need on your Birth Plan?

Keep your Dream Birth in mind as you put it together and then keep an open mind for “just in case” scenarios so you don’t get too attached or disappointed if something happens differently then you originally envisioned. Don’t forget to discuss the plan with your provider by 36 weeks! It’s also great to take it with you for your hospital tour. For what to ask during your hospital tour, read my blog post here.

Your Information:

• Your Name
• If applicable: Your partner’s name, your doula’s name or anyone else there supporting you!
• Hospital/birthing center. If applicable: Specific room
• Due date or induction date
• Provider’s name
• Any health diagnosis’s like depression, gestational diabetes, etc.
• Allergies
• How many babies do you have?

Labor Preferences:

If medically possible, I would like to (check all that apply):

• Eat & drink
• Have freedom of movement
• Labor in water (tub or shower)
• Play music, dim lighting, use a diffuser and essential oils
• Have partner take photos or videos
• Labor with an exercise ball
• Push in an upright position like standing, squatting, hands & knees or whatever feels right at the time
• To be coached / not be coached
• Spoken to with kindness

Medical interventions:

I would prefer (circle all that apply, or make a note next to any you’d like to avoid):

• Artificial rupture of the membranes (AROM)
• Continuous monitoring
• Intermittent monitoring
• Doppler fetal monitoring only
• The use of an IV / catheter
• Cytotec or Cervidil for cervical ripening
• The use of Pitocin to induce or augment labor contractions
• Foley bulb for dilation
• Episiotomy
• Natural tearing only
• Vacuum extraction or forceps to assist in the birth 
• Other: (is there a specific rumor or L&D intervention you’ve heard about that concerns you?)

Pain relief:

I would prefer (circle all that apply, or make a note next to any you’d like to avoid):

• Nitrous Oxide (gas & air)
• IV Analgesic
• Epidural
• Acupuncture
• Acupressure
• Breathing exercises
• Massage
• Meditation
• Reflexology 
• Please do not offer pain relief when things get intense. I will request them if needed. But I’m going for unmedicated and need to stay emotionally focused.

Delivery:

I would like to (circle all that apply):

• Use mirror to see baby crown
• Be coached / not be coached
• Labor down
• Practice push
• Catch my baby
• Have partner help catch baby
• Allow partner or myself to cut umbilical cord

In case of a C-section:

If medically possible, I would prefer (circle all that apply, or make a note next to any you’d like to avoid):

• To be conscious
• Clear drapes be set up so I can watch as my baby emerges
• One arm to be left free of cuffs, monitors and IVs so I can hold the baby
• To breastfeed as soon as possible
• Skin-to-skin with partner
• Being talked through the process
• Have limited/necessary talking

Newborn care:

I would like to (circle all that apply, or make a note next to any you’d like to avoid):

• Hold the baby immediately after birth,
• Allow baby time to creep from belly to breast (The Breast Crawl)
• Breastfeed immediately
• Have a lactation consultant help me breastfeed
• Bank the cord blood 
• Donate the cord blood
• Keep the placenta to take home
• Give my baby formula
• Give my baby breast milk only
• Offer my baby a pacifier
• Room-in with baby
• Let my baby sleep in the nursery
• Have circumcision performed if baby is a boy
• Give my baby vitamin K
• Give my baby antibiotic eye treatment
• Give my baby the recommended vaccines
• Breastfeed while doing shots and blood work

Now PREPARE for that Dream Birth Plan!

You’ve got plan, you know what you want and now you can start prep. Education, movement, mindfulness practices and more are super important no matter what your “Dream Birth” is. For more information I suggest reading 5 Important Steps to Enjoy Pregnancy and Prepare for Childbirth!

My Childbirth Course

You may have heard tales of birth painted as fearful, agonizing, and beyond your influence!

But let me share the real story of childbirth with you.