How to write a fantastic birth plan by Dream Birth Doula

By: Alicia Fishbein, Dream Birth Doula, South Bay

A birth plan is an essential tool in your birth-day toolkit. It helps make both nurses and doctors/midwives aware of your goals and desires. I like to call it your “birth preferences” rather than a “birth plan.” These are the things you would prefer to happen, but of course sometimes what we desire or need during birth can change. Using the word “preferences” is a subtle difference, but it lets providers know that you understand the changeable nature of birth.

I tell my clients that there are two very important reasons to write a Birth Preferences document.

Reason #1: To give you the chance to research and discover what you do and don’t want for your birth. This is important because you will need to be able to stand by whatever goes into your Birth Preferences. It’s also important that you know what is coming; this way, there are fewer surprises.

Reason #2: To determine whether you and your care provider are on the same page. If you show your provider your preferences and they shake their head, say no, or make lines through items with a pen, you know that they aren’t comfortable with your wishes. At that point you have the option to compromise or negotiate with your provider now, rather than having those important conversations during birth. Or perhaps when you see that your provider doesn’t align with your values for birth, that raises a red flag, and you can switch providers.

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Now on to the “how” of writing your Birth Preferences!

Step 1: Review Your Options and Then Get Researching

First, take a peek at the free birth plan checklist downloadable at www.dreambirthdoula.com, so you know which options you need to consider. Then start reading! You will find excellent evidence-based information at the following websites: www.evidencebasedbirth.com, www.scienceandsensibility.org.

Step 2: Write Your Birth Preferences Using the ABCs

The most effective Birth Preferences follow the ABCs; they are assertive, brief, and clear.

Assertive: It’s best to be polite but clear. Try phrases like, “I am planning to...” and “I would like...” rather than, “If it’s ok...”

Brief: Keep it short. A good Birth Preferences should be one page max!

Clear: Be specific. Avoid words and phrases like “not unless necessary” or “keep to a minimum.” What one person thinks is “necessary” may be different than what you consider necessary. What one person defines as a “minimum” may not match your definition of minimum. Instead, use numbers and specifics, for instance: “I would like to have 20 minutes of electronic monitoring, and if all is well then intermittent monitoring every hour for five minutes after that” or “I would like to have a vaginal examination upon admission and none after that.”

Step 3: Leave Out the Fluff from your Birth Preferences

Any requests such as “I would like the lights dimmed” or “I want to play music” are best left out. If you want dim lights and music then just go ahead and dim the lights and play your music! The goal is to keep your Birth Preferences short and sweet.

Step 4: Review Your Birth Preferences with Your Care Provider

If your provider is on board with your preferences, ask them to sign the document and place a copy in your records.

Step 5: Print three copies of your Birth Preferences and pack them in your hospital bag.

Step 6: When you arrive at the hospital, be sure to give your nurse a copy of your Birth Preferences and discuss them with her.

Step 7: Have a wonderful, empowering birth where you make the decisions!

Alicia Fishbein is a San Jose based birth doula serving the South Bay and San Francisco peninsula. Her favorite part of her work is witnessing women experience just how powerful they are. She also loves helping parents discover that their birth belongs to them, and exercise their autonomy to get the birth they want.