And some hospitals have protocols that may not allow for certain birth plan requests, such as intermittent fetal monitoring or lowering the drape during a c-section. But this will give you a place to start your discussion with your healthcare provider. It can be wise to consider your preferences in all situations, in case you are faced with an unexpected choice. Once you're admitted, the hospital may allow you to invite family and friends to be with you check with your hospital for their current policies , bring in comfort objects such as photographs, flowers, or pillows or food for your support team, play music, dim the lights, and move around as you need to for comfort.
If you plan to have the birth photographed or filmed, ask ahead of time what the hospital's policy is.
Not all hospitals may allow it. You may want to ask about the hospital's policy on fetal monitoring. Your baby will likely be monitored externally for 20 or 30 minutes when you're admitted. If your baby's heart rate is reassuring, you might only need to be intermittently monitored after that. Not being tied to a monitor allows you to move around more easily during labor.
And some hospitals have wireless monitors, so patients can walk around while being continuously monitored. I'd like to move around freely during labor.
If I need an IV, I prefer a saline or heparin lock. Most hospitals start an IV when you're admitted — sometimes this is medically necessary, like if you're receiving medication to induce or augment labor ; sometimes it's a precaution so that you can quickly receive IV fluids if you need them later on in an emergency. To enable your ability to move around freely during labor, you may be able to go without the IV or ask that the medical team attach a heparin or saline lock to an IV catheter.
Express your preferences on your birth plan, but discuss what's best with your medical team. If your labor stops progressing, your medical team may recommend interventions such as breaking your amniotic sac if your water hasn't broken or augmenting your labor with Pitocin. There's an array of labor props that moms use in the delivery room, such as a shower, tub, birthing ball, birthing stool, squatting bar, and so on.
You may want to ask your provider what kinds of props you're allowed to bring with you and which ones the hospital can provide. Please don't offer me any pain medication. I prefer to use natural pain relief techniques. I'll decide whether to use pain medication as my labor progresses.
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. 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? If possible, would you like to spend part of your early labor time in a water tub, or try using a birthing stool, ball, or chair?
How would you like to stay hydrated? Water, ice chips, or an IV drip may be options available to you. Do you prefer to wear your own clothes rather than a hospital-provided gown? If your hospital policy allows it, do you want your birth partner there with you in the delivery room? Would you prefer having an episiotomy or taking the chance of the perineum tearing? If a cesarean section is needed in the end, what anesthesia option do you prefer, if you have the choice? Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.
This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. How to Create a Birth Plan. Medically Reviewed by Oluwatosin Goje, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals.
A birth plan can help guide how your labor goes. Here's what to include in yours. Back to Top. In This Article. Continue Reading Below. Read This Next. What Is Pitocin Induction? View Sources. Popular links under Pregnancy First Trimester. Popular links under Baby Baby Month by Month. Popular links under Toddler Toddler Month by Month. Baby Products. There's a Tool for That There's a lot to consider when writing a birth plan.
The Bump birth plan tool breaks down all the key questions to help get you started.
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