What’s a Birth Plan? A birth plan is an important tool that allows a Mama to tell her birthing team what options are important to her during her labor and delivery.  It’s a 1-2 page document that lets her birthing team know a little about her and a general message to her birthing team.  The birth plan shares a Mama’s preferred choice for labor options, birth options, and after-birth options.  Ideally, it’s written in short bullet proof sentences.

Options to Consider:

Labor options– These options include relying on nondrug  and pain medication and epidural block.

• Nondrug include visualization/meditation, massage, laboring in the bath/shower, cold/warm packs, aromatherapy, walking, changing positions frequently (we practice many of these poses during prenatal yoga), and rhythmic breath.
• Procedures and interventions.  Consider if usual routines are okay or only if medically necessary.

Birth options– these options include positions, pushing techniques, and perineal care.

• Positions offer the opportunity to move about and a variety of positions or to stay in one position
• Pushing techniques include spontaneous, self-directed bearing down, directed pushing, modified directed pushing
• Perineal includes measures to help relax and push effectively. Option of episiotomy or avoiding episiotomy

After-birth options- these options are around postpartum care.

• There are many choices during this time that’s important to consider such as who will catch baby at birth, immediate or delayed cord cutting, who will cut the umbilical cord.  Other choices are immediate skin to skin with mother or removed to warmer for initial tests/procedures (eye care, vitamin K, newborn exam, weighing).
• Breastfeeding vs formula-feeding
• Circumcision
• If you want baby to receive a pacifier or sugar water on pacifier

Plan B– this is just as crucial as the above.  The hope and plan is for a birth plan to go as expected, however sometimes medical complications  arise and being prepared and aware of how your birth plan may change in the event obstacles is important.

Personal choices- A birthing journey is a story that Mama will hold close to her heart for the rest of her life. Think about any other choices that may be important.

• Ideas include: a relaxing and calming atmosphere, who will be on your birth team- doula, family, etc., cultural rituals, photography/videotaping,

Here’s an example of a birth plan:

We’re very excited to be having our first child and glad that you’re going to be caring for us during this time.  We understand that each birth process is unpredictable and that things unfold at their own pace and in their own way.  We have taken 10 weeks of childbirth classes with a focus on natural childbirth and have been preparing ourselves for a natural birth.  Below is a list of things that we hope will be part of our birth process.

• Doula – Our doula will be working with us at home and will be accompanying us throughout the birth process as well.
• Induction – We’re hoping that induction won’t be necessary. We’d like our son to decide when he’s ready to meet us.
• During labor/delivery
  • No medications – We’re hoping to have a natural childbirth without the assistance of pain medication.
  • Intermittent fetal monitoring – I would like to be able to move around during labor as much as possible so we hope to utilize intermittent fetal monitoring.
  • Birthing ball – We will be bringing a birth ball with us in case the one you have is in use.
  • Use the tub – We think that being in the tub may be more comfortable during labor and would like that to be an option, if possible.
  • Episiotomy – If possible, we would like to avoid an episiotomy. However, we do understand that it’s necessary in some situations, especially if I’m tearing in the wrong direction.
  • Delivery position – Although we have no way of knowing for sure, we think I will be most comfortable delivering in a seated squat or hands-and-knees position.
  • We hope that the APGAR and very first assessments can be done with our son on my chest.
• After delivery
  • Breastfeeding – We are looking forward to breastfeeding our son and prefer that he will not be given supplemental formula or water while at the hospital.
  • As little time away from us as possible once born
    • Initial physical in the room – we would prefer that our son’s initial physical and bath occur in our room.
    • If it’s not possible to do the initial physical in our room, we hope that he can be returned to our room as quickly as possible.
  • No circumcision – We are expecting a son and do not want him circumcised.

We look forward to working with you to bring our little Emmett James into the world!

You can create your own birth plan or look to the internet for guidance.  The Bump has an easy template to follow.

Full Circle Yoga KC is a Kansas City yoga studio that specializes in embracing the full cycle of life.   Classes include Prenatal Yoga, Prenatal Partner Yoga,  and Bring Your Own Baby (BYOB) Yoga for those entering the beautiful journey of pregnancy and the transition into motherhood.  Full Circle Yoga KC also offers chair yoga for older adults living in retirement communities who are seeking an added component to health and wellness.