Building your Birth Plan/Preference Sheet
There are a lot of opinions and feelings for this topic: Birth Plans/Preference Sheets.
By definition, a Birth Plan/Preference Sheet is usually a written document with personal information about the laboring person and the goals, desires and ideas for a their upcoming Labor, Birth and Postpartum.
But why the controversy and big opinion? Regardless its a personal choice to have one or not. Some people really feel the need to communicate with their providers and staff in this way. Others may not want to have that- and its OKAY! But we think the best part is- the education and the power behind researching and exploring the different topics included in a birth plan! To know and understand your choices and options for laboring positions, medication options, comfort techniques, choosing or not, a Vitamin K injection for your baby and so many more topics.... you are then ready and able to make the best choices for you and for your baby. Whether you have one written/typed plan or just “keeping the main points in your head” - the knowledge behind your choices and goals is extremely important.
Here at Maryland Birth Services, we start and facilitate a lot of Birth Plans. The reason is- we get a lot of requests from our clients to help them with this task. It’s something that is important to them, so its important to us! Before we start the planning process, we start the conversations about what they envision for their birth? Who they will have present? Where will it take place? Are there any special medical needs for either Mom or baby? Are there any cultural or religious needs that would be included? We provide our clients with a packet of birth plan templates to help them get a feel for what a plan could look like. We also have discussion points along the way to formulate the best plan for them.
One of the first items we discuss is: What do you want your environment to be? For most birth places (home, hospital or birth center) you can really tailor your preferences to your liking, such as: using candles (flameless ones work great), essential oil diffuser, dim lighting and use of twinkle or curtain lights, music, favorite shows or podcasts. Wearing your own clothes, asking for soft voices when entering the room, these all have a place in your plan if you want it.
Another topic of interest is “HOW” you want to labor. Do you prefer movement and intermittent monitoring? How do you feel about laboring in the tub or shower? Do you want use the mobile monitoring system that your place of birth might have?
And we cannot forget the discussion on pain management- what are your goals here? Are you looking forward to the possibility to going unmedicated and without an epidural, or is that something that you really prefer and want to note that on your preference sheet.
We also encourage clients to remember their postpartum needs and concerns as well, as they are looking to their future with their baby. What types of medications and/or procedures are you agreeing to, and what you will decline. Do you prefer for your baby to have a bath at your hospital, or would you like to not have a bath there and wait until you are home?
Your options, your choices, your questions- they all matter. You are your best advocate and by digging deep to learn your personal feelings on the topic of your birth and your baby will serve you well when its time meet your baby. Please feel free to contact us to request your FREE birth plan guide via email. Just note it in the comments! Be well!
