Three First Steps To Get Your Birth Plan Started

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When it comes to welcoming a new baby into your life, you quickly learn that there aren’t many factors that you can control. In fact, learning to go with the flow is something that most first-time parents have to quickly get to grips with. It’s precisely this feeling of stepping into the unknown that many women find most intimidating. One thing that can really help is writing out a birth plan. Although there may be things about giving birth that doesn’t go according to plan, taking the time to really consider things before your due date, and having an idea of how you will communicate this to midwives and doctors is a crucial part of gaining a feeling of agency over your birth. It’s always a good idea to learn more about your own preferences and how to make yourself heard in a difficult situation. 

Learn About Your Choices

Request information and do your research on all the pain relief options you have. A lot of women choose to aim for an all-natural, drug-free birth, but until you’re in the moment you can’t be totally sure how you will find it. So it pays to understand the process of options like pethidine or having an epidural, even if you think you’d rather not. That way, if you do change your mind during the birth, it will still be a fully informed decision. Understand the options available at your birthing centre ahead of time, and consider all the options, including techniques such as hypnobirthing, natural positions and use of water birthing. 

Consider All Scenarios

Most birth plans only take into account the idea of straightforward, natural labour. And while this may well be the case, it’s also worth considering what your wishes would be if you need to be induced, require an emergency cesarean or experience complications. When birth is induced, you will be given first a pessary and then a drug called Pitocin, administered via an IV line, to bring on contractions (methods vary according to where in the world you are). As this is generally faster and more intense than natural labour would be, it might be worth considering what pain management you may require in that situation. And of course, should you require an unplanned intervention, it can be frightening, so do your research to make sure you have an understanding of what might happen should that be the case – knowledge is definitely power when it comes to your birth plan.

Think About Feeding

Birth may seem like such a life-altering event that often we put a lot of effort into imagining the run-up, but the scenarios stop as soon as the newborn is in our arms. Actually, one of the first considerations once baby and placenta are safely delivered is likely to be feeding. Give some thought to whether breastfeeding may be something you’d want to try – especially for the first few feeds. Skin-to-skin contact directly after birth is the best way to stimulate this and can lead to a smoother journey, although often it’s not entirely smooth and you may need additional support with learning to feed. Planning ahead means that you have options, and that’s always a reassuring thing. Click here to get your free birth plan template to make a start on yours.

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