If you are expecting a little bundle any time soon, you have probably started to think about the birth.
The birth of your baby is a wonderful time, but it can also bring up many questions.
One way you can manage your fears and concerns is to draft a birth plan. It’s an important step to take to help you get the birth you want.
But how to begin? If you’ve never written a birth plan, you might be wondering how to start. Here are some tips for drafting a birth plan. Read on:
Keep it simple
The best birth plans are simple, kept to one page and using numbers or bullets. It helps to make a list of all the things that are important to you and then condense them down to a concise, one-page document for your provider to read and review with you at a prenatal appointment.
Start early
It’s best to start thinking about the birth you want a few months ahead of your due date. Don’t wait until the last minute. You’ll want time to talk to your provider and make plans for support, both during and after the birth.
Flexibility
The fact is, births don’t always go according to plan, so try not to be too rigid in your birth plan. Make room for changes and new information. If there are hard no’s, that’s OK, but try not to make blanket statements in your birth plan. Whether you plan to give birth at home, in a hospital or in a birthing center, sometimes it helps to review with your provider the policies and procedures in place so you can understand why decisions may or may not be made.
Talk to other moms
If this is your first birth, it might be helpful to talk to other moms about their births (or read birth stories online) to get a sense of what kind of birth YOU want. Then, you can add details or wishes to your birth plan.
Everything Birth
Every birth is beautiful and we would love to hear about your beautiful birth stories!