Birth plan template - and how to use it!
First of all, make sure you’ve downloaded our Birth Preferences Template to look through whilst reading this blog post. This can be found by signing up to our mailing list on the home page www.parentclub.uk
Your first question might be, why Birth “Preferences” over Birth “Plan”? The word plan suggests something that is prearranged and then carried out. However, If we dwell on the word “plan” too much, we’re more likely to feel disappointed if things don’t quite happen that way. Whilst there’s lots of things we can do to encourage a positive experience and increase the chances of having the birth we’re hoping for, we also need to remain flexible. Reframing these as preferences and exploring all options, to support you making informed decisions, is the key to a positive birth experience.
So, let’s have a look at each section and think about some questions you can ask yourself:
Environment
Where’s your ideal place to give birth? Is it home, in a hospital, on a midwife led unit perhaps? What does it look like, is it clinical or homely and how does that place make you feel? Would you like to use a birthing pool if one is available?
You might have heard of Oxytocin, if you haven’t yet you will soon, especially on our courses! It’s the feel good/love hormone we need to maximise, to support the process of labour. With this in mind, how can you make your environment feel good to you and get that oxytocin flowing? Perhaps blankets that smell like home if you’re giving birth in a hospital, fairy lights and music to add ambience, your favourite pillow/s and pyjamas.
Comfort Measures
Alongside your birth environment there are also other measures to support you feeling comfortable and relaxed. Think about your options here and what might work for you such as:
Hypnobirthing techniques
Massage
Movement and positions
Pain relief options (water, tens machine, birth comb, medication)
Monitoring & Intervention
Which interventions are you happy to receive and which ones would you prefer to avoid? In what scenarios might you be happy for these to take place? It’s best to do some research into each one, so you can make informed decisions when the time comes. Think about the benefits, risks and alternatives for each, so you can choose what feels right for you.
CTG monitoring
Vaginal examinations
Pain relief/management
Assisted birth (forceps/suction cup)
Epesiotomy
Induction
Is this something you’re happy to have if the option is given to you? And remember, it is always an option! Make some notes about what circumstances you’d be happy to have an induction in and which ones you aren’t. Induction is often offered when the baby is “overdue”, so think about how long overdue you might want to wait before considering induction methods.
Is there a method of induction you would prefer over another if that was suitable for your circumstances?
Ceasarean Birth
If you’re planning a vaginal birth, you still need to consider what options are available to you in the scenario of an emergency caesarean. Emergency doesn’t always mean flashing red lights and no time to make a decision, but considering your options before birth can ensure you know how to advocate for yourself in this situation.
Things you might consider:
Music playing?
Vaginal seeding?
Optimal cord clamping (wait for white)?
Screen up or down? Do you want to see your baby being birthed?
Keeping the chest clear of monitor pads so skin to skin can be initiated quickly?
Contraction coaching/pushing
Are you happy for your midwife to coach you through contractions and support you with when to push, or would you prefer them to be more hands off so you can tune in and listen to your body? Do you want your birth partner to support you with this?
Placenta delivery
Your options are:
Physiological management (unaided)
Active management (managed through an injection of synthetic oxytocin)
It’s worth researching these to help decide what’s best for you.
And what would you like to do with your placenta afterwards? Do you want to see it? The hospital can dispose of it for you or you can keep it. Some people encapsulate it, some bury it, some make art with it. You grew it after all, the choice is yours!
Communication
Would you like midwives and doctors to keep communicating with you even when you’re in the zone during labour or would you prefer some space? Does small talk help you or would you prefer minimal talking? Would you prefer your birth partner to talk to the medical team?
Golden Hour & Baby Care
You also have options of what happens in those first few hours after birth.
Things to think about:
Skin to skin
Feeding - breast or bottle
Optimal cord clamping
Delayed non-urgent procedures (weighing, measuring)
Who do you want in the room in that first hour?
Hopefully these prompts give you a starting point to research what’s important to you, what your preferences are, and where you might be happy to be more flexible. It’s important to discuss these with your birth partner too so they can support and advocate for you during the process. They should be very familiar with your birth preferences and have easy access to them if needed.
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed with all the decisions to make, there’s some really good podcast episodes on these topics on the following podcasts:
The Great Birth Rebellion
The birth-ed podcast
The Midwives Cauldron
Mothers talking podcast
Or if you’d rather have a chat with us, please get in touch! We’re launching some birth preference workshops very soon, sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear about them www.parentclub.uk