Birth plan – what should be in it and how to complete it

A birth plan is drawn up around the 7th month of pregnancy. Provided that the pregnancy proceeds without major complications. A sample birth plan must include an inventory of both things and treatments that the pregnant woman thinks she will need when the amniotic waters leave. The Birth Plan Wizard is available free of charge on health-oriented websites.

How to prepare a birth plan?

The 2011 standards of perinatal care talk about how to write a birth plan.  According to them, this document is completed with the attending physician (or midwife). Unfortunately, it turns out that few women know what a birth plan is. A survey conducted by one of the foundations that focuses on pregnant women – “To Give Birth Humanely” – showed that only 7% of the women interviewed knew what a birth plan is. A ready-made birth plan will be a tremendous help when crossing the threshold of the delivery room, when the stress and tension reaches its zenith. When creating a birth plan, examples of questions to think about are:

• Why was such a hospital chosen and not another? What drove the choice? When describing the rationale, consider whether distance from home, proven medical and obstetric staff, friends’ opinions and the prestige of the facility were important factors.
• How does a pregnant woman want to deliver her baby? With this question, it is useful to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of water and bed birth.
• Whom a pregnant woman would like to have by her side at the time of delivery. This is not an easy decision. Therefore, once you decide on the presence of a loved one, it is worth not only asking their opinion but also agreeing on which phase of labor they should attend.
• Which birthing position will be most comfortable? Not every woman wants to give birth lying down. Some ladies say it is easier to give birth in a squatting position on the delivery bed.
• Will anesthesia be needed? Anesthesia during labor is one of the most important decisions. If there are no medical contraindications, it is also worth deciding on the type of anesthesia – massages, baths or traditional epidural.
• Can a doctor, if necessary, cut the perineum of a woman in labor?
• Who cuts the umbilical cord connecting the child and mother. Very often women see the father of their child in this role.
• Whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed the baby after birth.

How to fill out a birth plan is suggested by many maternity, childbirth and health websites. All formula delivery plans should also include information on blood type, the presence of diabetes, visual impairment (preferably with an eye doctor’s opinion), and whether the woman has recently had a vaginal swab for Streptoccoccus agalactiae (streptococcus agalactiae).

The birth plan includes a cesarean section, so the key question is whether or not the parturient agrees to a cesarean section if necessary. An additional question relates to a close companion for this procedure. In the following questions, the mother must decide on postpartum care. For example, whether the newborn is to rest in mom’s arms after birth, and whether all the activities that midwives perform with the baby (washing, APGAR scale) are to take place in front of mom. As you can see, a birth plan not only reassures the parturient, but also makes the work of doctors and midwives much easier. It is advisable that the person who will accompany the child’s birth is also acquainted with the birth plan.

See also: What does a UK birth plan include?