Basic birth plan template




















I'd like to be offered an epidural or other pain medication as soon as possible. Discuss your preferences for pain management with your healthcare provider. If you're trying for an unmedicated birth , you might plan to work with a support team or use various labor props.

If you prefer to use pain medication for labor or have an epidural , talk to your ob or midwife about your options ahead of time. I'd like to be allowed to push when and how I feel I should. I'd like to be coached on when to push and for how long.

When it's time to push during labor , your medical team can coach you on when and how to bear down. Or you may want to follow your body's natural urges and push when and how you feel is right for you.

You may be able to choose the position you deliver in , such as squatting, semi-sitting, lying on your side, or on your hands and knees. If I have a c-section, I'd like to have the drape lowered so I can view the birth. If you end up having a c-section delivery, it's likely that you'll be awake and your support person will be able stay with you. In rare cases, you'll need general anesthesia, and your partner will be asked to wait outside the operating room. You may want to ask your practitioner if you can view your c-section delivery through a clear plastic drape or have the drape lowered.

You may also ask to have your baby placed on your chest afterward. I'd like to hold my baby skin-to-skin immediately after delivery. I'd like my baby to be dried off before being brought to me. After a vaginal delivery , the baby is usually placed on you and covered with a warm blanket. You can let your provider know if you prefer to hold your baby skin-to-skin immediately after delivery or if want your baby dried off first. You may want to ask your caregiver about delaying the clamping and cutting of the umiblical cord.

Recent research shows that waiting a few minutes allows extra blood to flow from the placenta to the baby and reduces the risk of newborn anemia and iron deficiency. This has now become the standard of care, but may not be possible in all situations. The umbilical cord is clamped in two places and cut between the two clamps.

Let your provider know if your support person wants to cut the cord. I plan to donate my baby's cord blood to a public bank. I plan to store my baby's cord blood in a private bank. I'm not banking my baby's cord blood.

If you've chosen to bank your baby's cord blood , the blood will be collected at this time. You'll need to arrange for the process well in advance. I'd like to delay newborn procedures such as measuring for the first hour to give me a chance to feed and bond with my baby.

Some procedures such as measuring can be delayed for an hour to give you a chance to feed and bond with your baby. I'd like all procedures done and all medications given to my baby to be explained to me beforehand. Unless your baby needs special medical care, you can usually ask for all procedures and tests to be done while your baby is in the room with you. If my baby has to be taken from me for medical treatment, I'd like my partner or attendant to go along.

If your baby does need to be taken from you for special medical care, your partner or attendant can usually go along. I plan to exclusively breastfeed my baby while in the hospital or birth center. I'd like to meet with a lactation consultant for breastfeeding guidance. I plan to feed my baby formula. Whether you choose to breastfeed or formula-feed , you can begin whenever you and your baby are ready — the World Health Organization recommends starting breastfeeding right after birth.

If you're nursing, let your medical team know if you'd like a lactation consultant to help. Consider whether you want your baby to have a pacifier , and let the staff know your preferences.

Most circumcisions in newborns usually take place a day or two after your baby is born. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals.

Good for: Those looking for a pretty template, but want to write in their own plan. Also, very affordable. This visual birth plan template is custom created by Magnolia Mama Design on Etsy. Good for: Those looking for something personalized, but not overly complicated. I just love that it has the photos of the birth team at the top!

This is a good one to take a look at to see what type of things could actually be involved in a birth, but some of the interventions seem a little strange to include in a birth plan. Good for: Those looking for a comprehensive, very specific list of interventions.

Good for: Those looking for a free visual, natural birth planning template. This is a simple birth plan that covers some of the most important aspects of what should be included in all birth plans. Good for: A short and quick birth plan that will only take a few minutes. But they really do have great, non-toxic baby products that you should check out here. Good for: Those wanting an easy natural birth plan template with the ability to pick and choose what natural birth means to them.

This is a great birth plan generator! These may seem like insignificant details, but they can make all the difference in how you feel about handing your provider your birth plan. For me, this gives the message that you know what you want, but you have realistic expectations and understand that flexibility is important. A rigid plan can be a recipe for regret and disappointment. Good for: Those looking for a completely customizable plan with additional personal notes.

Some moms-to-be create birth plans to gather their thoughts and to use as a springboard for a discussion with their healthcare provider. Although pregnancy, labor, and delivery are unpredictable, sharing your preferences with everyone involved may help you feel more confident and in control. A birth plan is a list of your preferences relating to the hospital environment, your medical options, and the immediate care of your newborn.

Labor is a fluid experience, and a birth plan is simply a guide or checklist. You can change your mind at any time about your preferences, in consultation with your healthcare provider. Read the story of one mom who did not regret that her labor experience did not follow what was in her birth plan.

Just as some parents prefer not to find out the gender of their baby, not writing a birth plan is also a viable option. In this case, it may make sense to go ahead without providing detailed instructions. Check out our birth plan video, which offers advice from a labor and delivery nurse.

Before you start writing your birth plan, speak to your provider about the different options available to you, and find out what the hospital or birthing center and your insurance plan offer. Aim for one or two pages at most, rather than an overly detailed checklist.

Where you would like to give birth e. Who do you want with you during labor and delivery for example, your partner, mom, best friend, or children? What positions do you want to try e. If labor is not progressing as it should, do you consent to inducing labor? Do you want any medication to help with the pain e. Curious how other moms-to-be feel about labor pain relief? Take our Pain Relief Plan poll to find out! If the hospital is a teaching hospital, are you comfortable having students observe or help with your labor and delivery?

Are there any comfort measures you would like to try, such as breathing or relaxation techniques, having the chance to move around, getting a massage, having the lights dimmed, or playing relaxing music?



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