Preparing a Birth Plan

Ensure your care team and loved ones understand your wishes.

Ensure your care team and loved ones understand your wishes.

Things to Consider

Whom do you want with you during delivery? (spouse, partner, family member, friend)
Do you want a labor partner or a doula? (A doula is a non-medical person providing personal support and education.)
Do you want a natural childbirth?
How do you want your partner to assist you? Playing soft music, for example, or providing massage?
Think about your options for pain relief, like an epidural.
Prepare for your delivery, and consider taking childbirth classes.
After your delivery, will you want your baby in the room with you for the length of your stay or will you allow him or her to go to the nursery while you rest?
Are you considering breastfeeding, and will you want a lactation consultant?

Write your birth plan in a positive way. Tell your caregivers what you want rather than what you don't want.
Keep your plan short and simple.
Try to be flexible. Sometimes circumstances require a change of plans.