The birth of your baby is one of the most important days in your life, and preparing ahead for it can ensure that it will be stress-free and everything will go well. You can consider creating a detailed birth plan guide and sharing it with your doctor. That can help the doctor understand your preferences and expectations and make necessary arrangements to fulfill them.

What is a birth plan guide?

A birth plan guide contains detailed information on what you might require during labor and delivery and the type of postpartum care you will prefer. You should write your and your partner’s names at the top of the guide and list your requirements in clear terms. You can hand the guide to your doctor several days before the expected birth. That can give them enough time to understand what you want and prepare ahead.

What to consider for creating a good birth plan?

The first thing you might want to consider when creating a good birth plan is whether the hospital or birthing facility has the resources to accommodate your requirements. If you wish to have a hydrotherapy tub for the birthing, for instance, you will need to inquire beforehand if it is available or if the facility can make arrangements to acquire it. Aside from that, you may want to consider the following:

If you want someone to accompany you during the birthing process in the birthing room

You should inquire about the visitation policies of the birthing center or hospital. Find out if it will allow your partner, family member, or friend to be with you in the birthing room during your labor, delivery, and after the birth of your baby. Some places may limit visits by male visitors.

If you want any particular kind of ambiance in the birthing room

Depending on your preference and the birthing center or hospital’s willingness to accommodate it, you can choose an ambiance that appeals to you. For instance, you can decide on a quiet ambiance with dim lights or have bright lights and music playing in the birthing room. It may also be possible to ask for the birthing room to be set to a temperature you prefer.

If you have any labor preferences

There are different ways of giving birth aside from the conventional way. For instance, you can stand under a warm shower, sit on a birthing ball, or use a hydrotherapy tub. You can research the different birthing methods and decide how you want to give birth. Discuss it with the doctor at the birthing center or hospital and make sure that your labor preference will be safe for you. The doctor may use a portable monitor to make sure the baby is okay throughout the labor.

If you would prefer to get pain management

Giving birth can be painful and you should decide beforehand what sort of pain management you want. You can choose to get pain relief with an epidural or narcotics or go for other options like breathing exercises, massage, cold and hot therapy, and meditation.

If you have any delivery preferences

The birth plan guide should include delivery preferences such as wanting to watch the birth in a mirror, getting your partner to video record the birth, and having your partner cut the umbilical cord. You may also want to hold the baby right after birth, wash the baby yourself, and have the doctor examine the baby in your presence. If your birth plan states it, you can receive guidance in caring for and breastfeeding the baby. You can also ask for your partner to stay overnight after the birth.

While it is essential to hope for the bests, things do not go as planned sometimes. You may want to include the measures the doctor should take in such an event. Discuss beforehand the options available if your chosen pain management options fail to provide relief during your labor, or if you require assisted labor or a cesarean procedure. You can mention if you want the doctor to collect the umbilical cord blood. Safeguard your baby’s future by sending it for storage to an affordable cord blood bank at $19.99/month.