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How to write a birth plan

It is always worth writing a birth plan, it helps the professionals understand how well prepared you are. Christine Hill guides you through the process

Making a Birth Plan

Many hospitals (but not all) ask you to write a birth plan before you have your baby.

What's the point?

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Your midwife is not only anxious to make sure your baby is safely delivered, she wants you to have as good an experience as possible. A birth plan gives her an indication of how well prepared you are, and what sort of birth you would like. It also helps her to know if she is caring for a woman with realistic expectations, or one with romantic or impractical ideas that may jeopardise her baby's well-being. Through making a birth plan you will find information that helps you to understand and prepare for the birthing process.

Drawbacks?

The paradoxical problem with a birth plan is that you can't plan the birth. Be very wary of any antenatal teacher who says that you can. A healthy baby is more important than a particular type of delivery.

You must be flexible. You can plan the type of birth you would like to have but, as Fiona Gibson says in her article 'Birth Plan? You're joking', things don't always work out the way you hoped.

What should I write down?

There are two issues that are relevant to everybody:

I would like to keep an open mind about pain relief.

In saying this, you are acknowledging that you can't accurately predict how your labour will go or what effect the pain will have on you.

I would like to see a doctor after about an hour's pushing.

Most obstetricians and obstetric physiotherapists agree that it is not in the interests of a woman's long-term health to push for too long. An obstetrician will be able to check that your pelvic floor muscles are not becoming overstretched or damaged.

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