How to create a birth plan for YOU!
A birth plan is a valuable tool to communicate your wishes, preferences, and priorities during labor and delivery. While no birth plan can guarantee everything will go as expected, it’s a powerful way to feel prepared, supported, and empowered. Here’s how to create a birth plan tailored to your unique needs.
Start with Self-Reflection
Consider your values, concerns, and vision for your birth experience. Ask yourself:
What’s most important to me during labor and delivery?
What are my biggest fears and worries?
What makes me feel safe, calm, and supported?
2. Research Your Options
Learn about the birth process, medical interventions, and pain management techniques. Consider:
Where will you give birth? Research hospital, birthing center, or home birth policies.
Who will support you? Identitfy a care team, including your partner, doula, or family members.
What pain management techniques do you prefer? Explore natural and medical options
3. Keep It Simple and Flexible
Your birth plan should be easy to read and focus on key preferences. Use bullet points or short paragraphs. Include:
Preferred environment (lighting, music, etc)
Pain relief preferences (epidural, breathing techniques, etc)
Preferences for medical interventions (inductions, c-section, monitoring)
Newborn care (delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin, feeding preferences)
4. Discuss with Your Provider
Share your birth plan with your doctor, midwife, or doula during a prenatal visit. Ask for feedback to ensure your preferences align with the facility’s policies and procedures.
5. Prepare for the Unexpected
Birth is unpredictable. Acknowledge that flexibility is key, and trust your care team to guide you through any necessary adjustments.
6. Share it with Your Support Team
Make sure your partner, doula, and anyone attending your birth understands your plan/preferences and how to communicate those.
A birth plan is not just about the final document–it’s about the process of exploring your options, expressing your preferences, and preparing for an empowering experience.
