Last but not least for the comfort measures, you may want to add that you’ll be using positive birth affirmations. You might prefer to listen to them or have a look at some birth affirmation cards spread around the room – the choice is yours. Babies traditionally go to a nursery after birth, so that nurses can monitor them for a period of time and mom can get some rest. However, this practice is slowly disappearing across multiple hospitals across the world. In New Zealand it doesn’t happen at all, no matter where you give birth, and babies are left to bond with their new parents the whole time. You definitely want to have your birth plan completed before you go into labor… but a little bit ahead of that is even better! I recommend starting to think about your birth plan at the beginning of the third trimester.

Birth plans aren't required, but they're nice to have, especially if you have specific desires and want a place to make your wishes clear. Making a birth plan may even help you get more comfortable with and prepared for the childbirth process. Partner to help cut the cord - Do you want him ‘up top' with you, or down where the action is when your baby comes out? As well as thinking about what goes in your birth plan, you'll need to think about things like when to write it, who to show it to etc. So here are some more tips for writing your birth plan:I personally never managed to use a birthing ball during labor, despite trying multiple times. It never really felt comfortable for me, and it felt like sitting down was slowing down my labor instead of speeding it up, so I gave up. However, if you end up finding it comfortable to use it during labor, whether you are sitting or kneeling on it, using a birthing ball has its advantages. If you are planning on breastfeeding exclusively, keep this from the printable birth plan template. Hopefully you will also get some help from one of the nurses or from your midwife on how to get your baby to latch properly. This point is closely related to the previous one, but I left it separate because this is an induction method that’s often offered to women, and there’s this false assumption that if your water breaks, then labor has to start. However, having your healthcare provider rupturing the bag of waters does not guarantee labor will start soon at all. Plus, it can have side effects such as increased pain, more intense contractions, and an increased risk of infection. Extend a respectful, hands-off approach to the incredible first latch! After placing your baby skin-to-skin on your chest, you can gently support them as they use their incredible instincts to wiggle their way to your breast. #breastcrawl This last point is particularly important if you’re going to give birth at a teaching hospital. If that is the case, you may have students or inters observing your birth or even performing medical procedures.

When I was researching visual birth plans for my first pregnancy, I was frustrated with the sheer amount of information out there. Everyone claims to have the best format for communicating with your birth team during delivery.

On this page

Your birth plan is personal to you. It depends on what you want, your medical history, your circumstances and what is available at your maternity service. This applies no matter where you are going to give birth. A birth plan is also important if you wish to give birth at home or at a birth center. Nitrous oxide does not completely eliminate pain, but it can help reduce it and, most importantly, it can help lessen your anxiety and relax. So, it is a very good option for women who are prone to anxiety or want the ability to move around during labor. I actually really wanted to have a water birth, but unfortunately I never made it to the tub. But if you do get a chance, really consider getting in the water during labor and add this to your natural birth plan. I personally didn’t mind the idea, as long as they kept quiet in the room. However, if you prefer not to have anyone else in the room, feel free to add this point to your natural birth plan to let the staff know so they can respect your wish.

An invaluable aid for your birth team. With contractions commanding your focus inward, the birth plan helps your partner or doula stand up for your wishes. Internal examinations - As well as feeling your stomach to find out which way round your baby is, your midwife will ask your permission to do an internal (vaginal examination). If you don't want this, say so. This will mean you won't know how many centimetres your cervix has dilated, but a skilled midwife will still be able to tell you roughly how far advanced your labour is. Be mindful of the fact that an IV will really limit your ability to move freely during labor, so avoid one if you can. Walking is one think that definitely helps speed things up so you can have a shorter labor, and it can even help ease the pain.

Did You Use a Birth Plan?

Inspires research on various interventions, options, policies, and norms associated with labor, delivery, immediate newborn care, and your hospital stay after birth When babies are born, their skin is covered in white clumps or patches called vernix careosa. This coating on baby’s skin has actually got a few benefits if left on baby’s skin, such as: helping baby to retain moisture and stave off bacterial infections or helping baby latch on. So it’s best to leave it on baby for as long as possible. If you are going into labor with the mindset of having a natural and unmedicated birth, then make sure to include this in your natural birth plan. You definitely don’t want to have medical staff constantly asking if you need pain medication – you know your limit and will tell them if you can’t take it anymore. The first few days of breastfeeding are essential in establishing a strong immune system through colostrum. Colostrum is super concentrated, high in nutrients, and full of antibodies - basically liquid gold! Optimal cord clamping or delayed cord clamping is waiting for the umbilical cord to cease pulsing and become white allows ALL of the blood from the placenta to be transferred to the baby - an absolutely essential step in the baby's transition from the womb to the outside world.