Why Is It Important to Have a Birth Plan?

One thing any mother can tell you is that birth almost never goes exactly the way they had imagined it. If that’s the case—why do you even need a birth plan?

Birth plans are actually less about planning every moment of the birth itself, and more about defining and communicating what the mother wants in her birth experience. This can be as detailed as you’d like—from which medications you do or do not approve of, to the language your care providers use, and even to the music you may want playing in the room. Here are some helpful tips when considering your upcoming birth plan.

Many mothers will be giving birth in hospitals, but some will be welcoming their child in a birthing center or even their own homes! Make sure your demands are heard so that your experience as comfortable and accommodating as possible.

Trust your instincts.

Even before the baby is born, you have maternal instincts guiding you throughout pregnancy and towards birth. There is no one else in this world who can do the job you’re about to do, which means it only makes sense for you to be the one to make those big decisions.

It can be intimidating and difficult to receive pushback or disagreement from those around you—especially coming from your partner! But at the end of the day, it is you giving birth, your body involved, and so the final call should also be yours.

The importance of skin-to-skin.

Many mothers are becoming more informed about the health benefits of lasting skin-to-skin contact. As long as there are no immediate concerns after birth, your care provider should allow contact as much as possible. In general, keeping the baby close to the mother’s chest and heartbeat is an optimal position for newborns. Modern ergonomic baby carriers are designed to keep your new baby snuggled closely to your chest.

Write it out.

Writing out the birth plan long before the date arrives is crucial for the mother to have a chance to think out what kind of birth she wants. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, you don’t have to start from scratch! There are some wonderful birth plan templates out there to give you inspiration and direction.

Do your research.

Read about birth to figure out what kind you want. You might be surprised to realize you’d prefer a natural birth—or vice versa! Maybe a lot of women you know have delivered naturally, but you know you’d feel safer with modern medication.

Whatever you choose, that is your decision, and as long as your care provider determines you as low-risk, you should be the only one making the decision of your birth! It starts with reading about the different methods out there is important if you are to decide which one feels right for you.

Print it!

It doesn’t do any good if no one sees it. Print out your plan and make sure that every one of your caretakers has a copy. Better yet, have your partner do it so you can focus on the actual birthing. Your plan will detail your individual preferences on the most important details of your birth.

Remember, this birth is about you and your baby. No one else is doing the hard work of bringing her into the world! Everyone’s job is to assist you, so it is crucial to inform those working around your on that which is most important to you.