The Birth Plan

Just a few months or weeks left, then your baby will finally see the light of day. The excitement is building, and probably more and more questions about the birth are arising. Now is the best time for a birth plan: it may sound paradoxical to plan something that can be full of unexpected surprises like a birth, but having a plan helps you prepare and look forward to the day with more confidence, when you can finally hold your little explorer in your arms. You can read about the additional benefits of a birth plan and what to consider when creating one in this article.

What is a birth plan?

The birth plan is a document in which you outline all your Preferences regarding Contractions , birth, care of your child, breastfeeding and Postpartum you can document in writing – of course including things that should be avoided. Since a birth cannot be completely planned, many midwives and clinics also refer to a "birth letter." Our LILLYDOO midwife Sissi likes to see the birth plan as a kind of mood board: here you can express your wishes in detail, such as how to Place of birth , the Birth position , the desire for a peridural anesthesia (PDA), background music, whether your partner should be present or not, skin-to-skin contact after birth, and much more.

Advantages of a Birth Plan

You are prepared for the birth

The plan gives you the opportunity to thoroughly inform yourself about the possibilities during and after birth and to reflect on your wishes. If you have a rough idea of what to expect and actively shape the birth in advance, it can help you look forward to the day of birth with more relaxation. Sissi recommends that you ideally discuss your questions with your midwife and your doctor/gynaecologist and ask friends about their experiences. Find out about hospitals in your area beforehand as well. . You can, for example, attend information sessions and see how the hospitals operate and learn more about their attitudes. There you can clarify, for instance, the possibilities of a Water births are, such as the cesarean section rate and whether there is, for example, an intensive care unit for Preterm Births whether there is a pediatrician or just a pediatrician present. In this way, you familiarize yourself with the Process of childbirth familiar and learn, which of your wishes are actually feasible . It is also important that you familiarize yourself with handling possible complications and the option of a Cesarean section think about it. Of course, you don't have to decline every eventuality - even with a plan, you should approach childbirth with a certain Flexibility encounter. As life goes, unforeseen events can occur that change the original plans.

Your partner will be involved

A birth is a special experience, and therefore many partners wish to be a part of it and support you during the birth. The birth plan is the perfect opportunity for you to a Shared idea of the birth develop and talk together about your wishes and concerns – this way, your partner will be involved in the childbirth preparation. For example, think about what you want to include in the Clinic bag pack and use as a family what your favorite relaxation methods are and who the umbilical cord cut off. "It is a great advantage when a couple is on the same page at the time of birth. Often, the partner communicates with the hospital staff, and it is then very helpful if he or she also knows your wishes," says Sissi.

You improve communication with the delivery team

Only a few women are lucky enough to have a 1-on-1 support to have a midwife. When you give birth in a hospital, the midwife on-site's birth plan helps to provide a quick overview of your wishes to receive and what is good for you. The plan is therefore an excellent basis for communication between you and the birth team, especially when you are too excited to think clearly. Midwife Sissi advises expectant mothers to place a lot of trust in the midwife as well as the doctors and physicians:

When should you start creating?

There are no fixed rules for this, because the birth plan is no mandatory document . Start planning when you feel ready and have gathered enough information. You can, for example, already begin with a Preventive examination discuss with your doctor/your doctor to announce that you would like to create a birth plan. During this appointment, you can freely discuss all questions you have regarding pregnancy care, childbirth, and the postpartum period. This way, you can gather initial information and get inspiration about what you should consider and what is possible. You can also start creating it once you have decided where you want to give birth. If you have chosen a hospital, you can find out directly which wishes can be accommodated there. If you have personal care from a midwife or doula, she will be familiar with you and your wishes, so you usually won't need to put them in writing.

How do you create a birth plan?

There is no strict format for a birth plan. There are numerous templates available online that you can use as a guide. Since every birth is unique, you should not copy one exactly, but ensure that the plan also reflects your personality. You can also ask your doctor or midwife if they have a draft for you that you can fill with your wishes and comments. Ideally, the birth plan should one to two pages long and clearly structured be. This helps the attending midwife and the rest of the birth team to quickly get an overview. Before listing your wishes, you can write a short paragraph about your reasons and any fears. This helps the team get to know you better and understand you. Of course, nothing in your birth plan is set in stone. You can - even if you are in labor - change your wishes at any time according to your current needs.

Template for a birth plan

We have a birth plan template for you, where you can check off your wishes and easily add further notes.

Do you feel like something is still missing? These questions can help you as Checklist for Your Birth Plan help:

Wehen

• Do you want someone from your circle of support to be by your side during labor and in the delivery room? For example, your partner or your mother/father?

• Do you have preferences regarding the atmosphere? Music, dim lighting, etc.?

• Are you interested in moving around a lot during childbirth?

• How should monitoring in the hospital be carried out by the CTG ? Continuous or no continuous monitoring?

• What is your attitude towards labor support measures and pain relief methods ? For example, with an IV, massages, epidural, etc.?

• Which methods do you prefer to better cope with the pain? Massages, acupuncture, using a balloon, the possibility to walk, shower, or bathe, etc.?

Entbindung

• In which position would you like to give birth?

• Do you agree to the possibility of an episiotomy being performed, or would you prefer to avoid it despite a potential tear during childbirth?

• Do you agree with the presence of students if the hospital admits them?

Wünsche für die Plazentarperiode

• Do you want to see the placenta ? Do you want to take it home with you?

• When should the umbilical cord be clamped? Should it be pulsating? Should the umbilical cord only be cut when the placenta is also present?

• Does your partner want to cut the umbilical cord?

Nach der Geburt

• Do you want to have skin-to-skin contact with your baby immediately after birth?

• Do you have specific tips for caring for your baby?

• Do you want to breastfeed your baby?

Birth plan for a cesarean section

Even if you wish for a planned cesarean section, you can create a birth plan. Likewise, it can reassure you during a vaginal delivery if you've considered a cesarean section in case it needs to be induced during labor. You can simply add a section to your birth plan for this.

When creating a birth plan with a cesarean section, you should consider the following:

• Do you want your partner or someone from your circle to be present in the operating room when the hospital allows it?

• Should the privacy screen be lowered when your baby arrives?

• Do you want a skin-to-skin position with your baby immediately after birth?

• If this is not possible for you, your partner should take over the first skin-to-skin contact.

• Do you wish to breastfeed your baby immediately after birth, if the circumstances permit?

When do you need to submit the birth plan?

Sissi recommends that mothers giving birth in a clinic keep a copy of their birth plan. during the registration interview to hand in, when you also fill out the anamnesis form. Then it can be added to your file and is readily available when you arrive. This can serve as a guide for the attending midwife and she will quickly get an overview of your wishes. It's best to print it out multiple copies so that you can also give your birth plan to the birth team on-site and your companion has a copy as well.

Are the wishes regarding the birth respected?

The birth plan is not legally binding, but rather a Trust Agreement between you and the medical staff. Your midwife and the doctors will certainly do their best to accommodate your wishes and make your birth as comfortable as possible. However, life often takes a different course, so it is completely normal if not all points from your plan can be fulfilled. One reason could be that the facility where you want to give birth does not have the necessary equipment or enough capacity — for example, the clinic might only have one birthing pool, which is currently occupied by another woman. Of course, complications or other unforeseen events can also occur, making it impossible to stick to your birth plan in order to protect your health and that of your little explorer.

A birth plan is no guarantee of a perfect birth – every birth is individual and hardly predictable from start to finish. However, it is very valuable and helpful to inform yourself about the birth and to prepare. This way, you can face this magical moment with more confidence. We wish your little explorer a smooth arrival!