All About the Birth Plan
A little bit on our approach to birth plans, how to use them and what ours is all about.
What is a birth plan?
We like to think of a good birth plan as a really great exercise for preparation. It helps you to consider what is important to you, how you might deal with various decisions that could come your way, and to open up productive conversation with your care team and birth partner(s). HOWEVER, it is not a menu that you get to order from, because as we all know- birth rarely goes according to “plan” and the way it unfolds is largely outside of our control. So, what is it good for?
Our birth plan is a worksheet that can guide your through conversation and research as you prepare for birth and postpartum. It is so valuable to know ahead of time how you might feel about pitocin being suggested, or whether you would like newborn procedures to be delayed or skipped all together. Making these decisions on the fly, or hearing of these things for the very first time as they are happening to you is SO tricky, especially when we are in our labor brain and we want to avoid passing that baton to our doctors, nurses or even partners who might not be armed with information about your boundaries or preferences.
Our birth plan is extensive and covers it all- and we definitely suggest you bring it with you to refer to or share with your team. However, not every procedure or option may apply to your own birth experience and it can be overwhelming to go through every detail when you are admitted or trying to settle into your space.
That's why part 2 of our birth plan tool kit is a "cheatsheet" version of things. This is where you get to boil down the essence of your birth vision and your preferences to help your team see your goals from a higher level. When you pack your birth bag or prep your birthing space, bring a few copies of each of these. The cheatsheet for conversation and get to know you, and the detailed preferences for a deeper dive or conversation if it becomes necessary.
How is our birth planning toolkit different?
Our birth plan is a two part exercise.
The extensive worksheet that takes you through the common birth options, interventions and decisions you might be faced with. Use this worksheet as you go through your pregnancy a conversation guide a jumping-off point for the conversations and research you hope to do and a work in progress before the big day. It is a great tool for working with your OB or midwife, doula or partners.
While you will be armed with copies of your extensive birth plan for yourself and your care team, it is also nice to have this short-form option to highlight the quick and dirty most important aspects of your plan. This is a way to help you and those caring for your to focus on the big picture when there may not be the conversation about each and every one of your preference as outlined in the longer form worksheet.
