How to Prepare your Birth Preferences / Plan

What is a birth plan?

A birth plan is created to explore preference for when you go into labor and following birth. It is a way to explore options and prepare for different scenarios so that you and your birthing tribe are all singing from the same song sheet. This way you can receive the best possible care and support.

There are many examples of birth plans online which can leave you feeling unenthused as you work through hundreds of questions, leaving you with a novel which may be overwhelming for you and your tribe.

So, how can we create a ‘plan’ for something that is so far away from a linear event in time?

We educate, visualize, meditate and create birthing preferences, thus holding space for any unknowns.

Supporting Podcast

Creating a birth preference document for you and another for your tribe.

Exploring in detail what each stage of your labor will look, feel, taste, sound and smell like. Noticing what feels good for you and what makes you feel uncomfortable.

Remember, you want to feel safe, cozy and comfortable so the adrenals can rest and the oxytocin can flow. Understanding what is happening physiologically at each stage will guide you closer to your ideal birthing scenario.

If a member of your birthing tribe tries to belittle you, cut off your curiosity or refuse your input it’s time to say goodbye!

Let’s explore

Here are some questions to explore and discuss. These are only ideas, you can create your own unique plan. If there is anything you think we missed please comment on this post.

I have recorded a guided visualisation to help you create your birth plan and shared my own unique plan - Click here

Your Birthing Tribe

Where would you like to give birth?

Who would you like with you?

Who would you not like? (students, family members, interns etc)

Who is your emergency support?

Birthing Environment

Surround yourself with what feels nourishing to you.

Would you like music or prefer silence?

Would you like dim lighting and candles? (windows covered)

Would you like essential oils for burners?

Would you like photographs taken?

Labor

As we go through this journey together we will explore the benefits, risks and concerns with certain practices and techniques.

What happens when you go into labor?

When you visualize your baby making their journey earthside, what can you see?

Are you moving around, swaying, squatting, kneeling?

Are you eating and drinking?

Are you having your cervix examined through labor?

Do you wish to have your baby monitored?

Induction

Exploring what the affects an induction would have on you and your baby.

Would you like to be induced at any point? What might that look like?

Pain Relief

Would you like to be OFFERED pain relief?

Would you like:

• Hypnobirthing, massage, acupuncture

• TENS machine

• Oral pain relief e.g. paracetamol, dihydrocodeine, oral morphine

• Diamorphine/Pethidine – Intramuscular injections

• Epidural

Episiotomy

In what circumstance would you allow for an episiotomy?

Assisted Delivery

In the event of needing an assisted delivery (forceps or suction) or a cesarean then you may have specific wishes, such as:

• A second opinion

• Ensuring your baby still has delayed cord clamping

• Birth partner announcing the sex of baby if unknown

• Lowering of any drapes for you to witness the birth of your baby

• Immediate skin to skin with baby following birth

• Music to be played in theater

Transition

What birthing position would you like to use?

Would you like a mirror?

Would you like your tribe to touch you to support your body in any way?

Would you like to touch your baby's head as it crowns?

Immediately after Birth

Would you like to cut/burn the cord or have a lotus birth?

Would you like to hold baby as you birth the placenta?

What would you like to do with your placenta?

Would you like baby to have any medical checks?

Would you like baby to have Vit K, Hep B and/ or eye drops?

Would you like baby cleaned?

Who do you want around you?

What meal or drink would you like prepared?

Breastfeeding

Do you wish to breastfeed?

Do you want support to latch?

What is your plan B?

Thank you so much for reading, if you have anymore questions please reach out!

Blessings,

Danielle

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