Just like a work diary helps you keep your day running smoothly, a birthing plan can be a great way to ensure you have a smooth birth experience. You should start thinking about the type of birth you want from as early as your second trimester, but you only really need to put it on paper until you’re between 32 – 36 weeks pregnant. Keep your birth plan short – it should only be one single sheet of paper with bullet points. Remember that everything doesn’t always go according to plan, so it’s important to be flexible.
Important options to consider: Preferred birthing option
- Natural birth
- C-section
- Waterbirth
- No assisted delivery with forceps or a vacuum unless my baby is in distress.
What you’d like in the birthing room:
- Music
- Dim lights
- My own clothes for the labour and delivery
- Take pictures and or video during labour and delivery
- To walk and move around as I choose
I’d like access to, or to be able to bring the following with me:
- Birthing chair/stool
- Birthing ball
- Beanbag chair
- Birthing pool/tub
- Other:
Options and techniques for pain management:
- I would prefer to try to labour without pain medication. I will ask if I want something for the pain.
- Bath/shower
- Breathing exercises
- Massage
- TENS machine
- Epidural
- Other: _________________
Episiotomy:
- I’d prefer to tear naturally and not to have an episiotomy.
- I’d prefer to have an episiotomy if needed.
After baby’s delivery, I’d like to:
- Hold my baby right away, putting off any procedures that aren’t urgent.
- Breastfeed as soon as possible.
- To wait until the umbilical cord stops pulsating before it’s clamped and cut.
- My partner cut the umbilical cord.
- Bank my baby’s cord blood privately.
If I have a C-section, I’d like:
- My partner present at all times during the operation.
- To hold my baby after the birth.
- To breastfeed my baby as soon as possible.
My baby’s care after birth:
- I don’t want my baby to receive supplementary feeds unless medically indicated.
- I want my baby to remain skin to skin after birth.
- I don’t want my baby bathed for the first 24 / 48 / 72 hours.
