Create a birth plan: What you need to know
Your belly is growing, you may even already be on maternity leave and are thinking more and more about the birth. What will you have to face? How do you want to give birth? What will you do if things don't go according to plan? You can clarify these and other questions with a birth plan. I drew up a birth plan five weeks before the birth because I wanted everything to go as I had imagined. Well, things went very differently for me. But it wasn't too bad. Our midwife Katharina and I - Julia, mum to Paul - would like to show you why a birth plan makes sense and why it will help you to make confident decisions in the stressful situation of a birth.
Many first-time mothers ask themselves whether they need a birth plan at all? However, the question that every pregnant woman should ask herself is: can I guarantee that I can make confident decisions for myself and my baby in a stressful and painful situation? The vast majority of women will honestly answer this question with "no". A birth plan also helps your partner, as they are also under stress during the birth and may not be able to make the right decision for you and your baby. Therefore, the answer to the question: birth plan yes or no? should always be YES!
What is a birth plan?
With a birth plan, you provide your midwife and the attending doctors with a guide that includes all your wishes. This means that all obstetricians always know exactly what you want in a particular situation. But don't worry! Your birth plan is of course not "set in stone". If you realise during the birth that you would like to arrange things differently, this is of course not a problem.
What does a birth plan look like?
So make sure you are as detailed as possible when drawing up your birth plan. Your midwife has certainly read a lot of birth plans and will know that some situations require a different approach than you may have imagined. Your midwife will therefore approach you and discuss everything you need to know. However, we recommend that you do not write the birth plan yourself, but use a template. That way you can be sure that you haven't forgotten anything.
When should I draw up a birth plan?
Before you start with the birth plan, we would like to give you a few tips and hints:
Attend a birth preparation course: During a birth preparation course, many questions about the birth are clarified. With this knowledge, you will be better able to complete the birth plan.
TIP: No midwife? No free place in your antenatal class? Midwife Katharina has the solution for you: Birth preparation online!
Talk to other mumsExchange with women who have already given birth is very valuable. They know what you can expect during a birth and what you should look out for.
Involve your partnerNo matter who will accompany you at the birth, this person should know everything about your wishes. When your birth plan is finalised, you should give him or her a copy of it.
Make a note of all your questions and wishes on a notepad or in your Pregnancy diary*. You can then draw up your detailed birth plan at the start of your maternity leave, i.e. around six weeks before the birth.
What is included in the birth plan?
If you are now ready to enter all your wishes in the birth plan, you can use a free template or create your own plan. Just as you like. You don't have to write everything down, but it is useful to think about all the possibilities.
"When I was writing my birth plan, something was totally important to me that would never have occurred to others: I didn't want to be naked at any point during the birth. The idea of me sitting or lying somewhere naked was horrible for me."
Who should be present at the birth?
A birth plan should clarify one very important question right at the beginning: Who should be your birth companion? And where is he or she allowed to go? Perhaps you don't want your birth companion to come with you to the delivery room? Or maybe you don't want him or her to be with you during labour? You can clarify these points with a birth plan.
Which birthing positions would you like?
You may want to decide before the birth which positions are suitable for you and which are not. For example, I could never have imagined giving birth in a quadrupedal position. Think about whether you want to be active or passive. Do you want to walk and stand for as long as possible or do you want to lie down?
Which pain treatment would you like?
During labour and in pain, you will probably not be able to make a confident decision. You should therefore consider in advance which pain treatment you would like: epidural, drip or nothing? Also ask your Maternity clinic to find out what alternative pain therapies are available. There are often midwives in hospitals who are well versed in acupuncture, acupressure or other homeopathic remedies.
Which aids would you like?
A very important point in the birth plan is the aids that can be used. If it is necessary to help your baby during labour, the doctor and midwife will recommend an aid. However, you can also express a wish in advance.
What do you want for your baby?
Perhaps you want to breastfeed your baby as soon as possible after giving birth? Or you have decided in favour of a Bottle feeding decided? Enter what you want for your baby here.
What do you want from an emergency caesarean section?
Sometimes a birth does not progress and there is danger for you and/or your baby. In this case, the attending doctor will recommend a caesarean section. You can make a note in the birth plan of what you would like for an emergency caesarean section.
Birth plan for caesarean section?
If you opt for a planned caesarean section, your birth plan will be shorter. You can decide in advance which type of anaesthetic you would like and whether your partner should be present.
A birth plan is not a fixed set of rules for the birth. It should help you to make confident decisions for yourself and your baby during labour.
Recommended products* in this article
*We recommend that you use Amazon here, as you can expect good service and fast delivery. We also receive an independent commission as an Amazon partner. There are no costs for you.
Blogging is my passion. I built up a baking blog on the side and later a mum blog. Before my pregnancy, I worked for an online retailer for baby and children's products.
Today, I also provide support as a blogger business coach and help entrepreneurs and bloggers gain more reach in online media through SEO and content marketing.
As a birth centre manager, midwife and mother, I support women in coping better with their challenges during, before and after pregnancy.
To reach even more women, I started elternundbaby.com. I look forward to welcoming you here.
One Response
Thank you for this post on creating a birth plan. My wife and I are currently preparing for the birth of our daughter and are therefore looking for good tips. Good point that a very important point in the birth plan is the aids that can be used.