Creating a Birthplan

You have probably heard lots of talk about your birthplan. This is the manner in which you hope your labor and delivery will progress. I say “hope” because it is pretty common for things to go completely different (not necessarily badly, just different) than you anticipated. The main point of putting together a birthplan is so that in the midst of your labor, the answers to important questions have all ready been given, in writing and by a clear mind. This is not to say it is some sort of legally binding document that is set in stone and cannot be diverted from. It is merely a guideline as to your wants during the labor and delivery process. It will also help your medical staff to have a written plan, so that when a different nurse comes on or is just covering for your nurse, they will be able to jump right in. There are several questions you want you birthplan to answer:
1. How do you plan to manage pain? (epidural at first contraction or last resort or somewhere in between)
2. What is your plan B for pain management? (if this is your first labor, you really do not know if how you will feel about the level of comfort until you experience it)
3. Which fetal monitoring devices are acceptable? (just the belly band or the internal monitor as well)
4. Who will be allowed in the labor and delivery area? Who’s the “birth coach”?
5. You will need to include your feelings on Caesarian delivery, i.e. do you trust the doctor to make that choice, or do you want to avoid unless it is absolutely necessary, do you want to try all other methods first? (forceps, vacuum, episiotomy, etc.)
6. What, if any, specific directions do you have for the handling of the baby directly after deliver? (do you want to breastfeed immediately, do want the baby cleaned before you hold them)
7. How will you spend your labor? (in spa tub, walking, on birthing ball, sitting, standing, etc.)
8. Do you have any stipulations for what’s going on in the room during labor? (TV on/off, music on/off, full light vs dim lighting, etc.)
9. Who will be cutting the cord?
I know it might seem like a lot of work and planning for something that may or may not happen as planned, but you will be happy you did this if only for the fact that you have considered how you feel about all these questions prior to the big day.
Here is a great template to create your own birthplan: http://birthplan.com/create-birth-plan/

Word of the Week

Episiotomy – noun – an incision into the perineum and vagina to allow sufficient clearance for birth. (www.dictionary.com)

Buying guide

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