Planning for your baby’s birth can be overwhelming! Because you often don’t know when the baby will arrive, there are many unknown details that can arise. While you can’t possibly know exactly how the birth will go, creating a birth plan can ease your anxiety.
A written birth plan helps many expecting parents feel more empowered and more prepared for the process of having a baby. Once your water breaks and labor begins, having your wishes in writing ensures access to your preferences.
There is a lot to think about, but remember these tips as you work with your obstetrician and partner in creating a birth plan:
· Keep it simple
· Be flexible
· Organize/centralize insurance cards & paperwork
· Take a deep breath
When and Where to Begin
For most expecting parents, birth plans start taking shape around the third trimester. However, to ease your mind, you may wish to bring it up sooner with your obstetrician, particularly if you have existing medical conditions or a high-risk pregnancy.
To get you started, birth plan templates are readily available online. Here’s a sample birth plan from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This can provide you and your partner with an overview of a typical birth plan.
Some of the details you want in your birth plan include your preferences for:
· Labor, e.g. anesthesia, coaches, aids
· Delivery, e.g. delivery methods, skin-to-skin contact, etc.
· People you will allow at the birth
· Feeding the baby
Your obstetrician will guide the conversation about your birth plan. Our website also provides these FAQs and blog posts to educate expecting parents:
· Answers to pregnancy questions
· An Overview of Birth Methods: Vaginal, Cesarean & VBAC
· Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms
· The Fourth Trimester: Coping with Postpartum Changes
When you create a written birth plan, you will likely feel more empowered and at ease with the birthing process. Consult with your OBGYN at West Des Moines OBGYN Associates to learn more about creating your personalized birth plan. Make an appointment today.
