What is a birth plan?

Childbirth is a long-awaited moment during pregnancy; it is the culmination of a nine-month process and the beginning of life as a mother. But we must know that not all births are the same, there are different methods to give birth and to alleviate pain. Knowing them and defining what we prefer in advance will give us the peace of mind that our decision will be respected.

Having a birth plan does not imply giving step-by-step instructions, although it can be done if you wish. This will depend on how open your plan is, for example, some women will have as a birth plan that no pain medication is applied, and it will be their only indication. 

Now let's look at some important points when creating a birth plan.

- Insurance coverage and hospital capabilities.

It is vitally important to check that our wishes can be met according to our possibilities and the capabilities of the hospital where we plan to give birth. When an insurance company covers childbirth, there may be limitations regarding the hospital procedures included. Reviewing this part in advance will help us to avoid surprises in the future.

- Delivery room.

There are many questions that we must resolve regarding the environment we are looking for at the time of delivery. And it is important that the people around us are aware of our wishes ahead of time to make the experience as smooth as possible. Determine the following:

Who will be with you in the delivery room?

Who will be present during the birth?

Do you want music, light, photography, video?

- Labor and delivery.

 

The most important part begins with labor, and at this point you must make decisions regarding the type of birth you prefer and the conditions under which you want it to happen. Define whether you prefer a natural birth or are open to a cesarean section. If you prefer to be mobile during labor and what position is ideal for you, whether you want to use the shower, stand, or lie down.

 

 Do you want continuous monitoring for you and your baby?

How do you feel about treatments to induce and speed up labor?

How do you feel about assisted labor or the use of forceps and vacuum extraction?

How do you feel about episiotomy?

In case of cesarean section, who will accompany you?

 

 

- Pain relief medications.

 

An important part for many women during the development of their birth plan is the use of analgesics for pain relief. Decide how you prefer to give birth, whether you want to try giving birth without pain medication, whether you would like to have an epidural block, and whether you want to have a birth assistant or your partner nearby to help you with pain relief.

 

- Indications after giving birth.

The first moments after giving birth come with many specific emotions and situations that we need to consider ahead of time. For example:

Who cuts the umbilical cord?

Will you keep the placenta?

Do you want skin-to-skin contact for the first few minutes after birth?

Do you plan to breastfeed?

Finally, now that you've answered all the questions and are clear about how you plan for your birth, it's important to recognize that plans don't always go as expected. Keeping an open mind is crucial, and maintaining the well-being of mother and baby must be a priority at all times.