What is a birth plan? Find out how a simple document can enrich your birth experience
A birth plan allows you to take an active role in planning your labor and delivery. This document lets our San Antonio OBGYNs know what your preferences are during labor, when you deliver your baby, and after you give birth. It’s a flexible plan that can change if something doesn’t go quite the way you anticipated.
How do you create a birth plan?
You can create a plan from scratch or use a template available online. Two good options are the templates from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and March of Dimes. Our San Antonio OBGYNs can answer any questions you may have about areas you would like to cover in your document.
What areas should you cover in your document?
Most plans include three main areas: labor, delivery and post-partum care. There is a lot to think about when it comes to your preferences for laboring and giving birth. Here are a few of the things to discuss.
- Atmosphere – Do you want music, special lighting, or things from home that give you comfort?
- Pain management – Are you hoping for an unmedicated birth? Do you want an epidural?
- Labor questions – Do you prefer certain labor birthing positions? Are you okay with continuous fetal monitoring, or would you like to avoid it?
- Delivery questions – Do you want to watch your delivery? Do you want to have anyone besides your partner with you when you give birth?
After your baby is born, there are a few more areas you should address in your plan.
- Are you saving your baby’s cord blood?
- Do you or your partner want skin-to-skin contact with your baby after you give birth?
- Do you want physicians to circumcise your male infant?
- Are you breastfeeding? Do you want coaching in the hospital?
When you talk to our team or look at a birth plan template, you can decide what information you wish to include.
Our San Antonio OBGYNs work with you on your labor and delivery plans
Our entire team follows your birth plan as closely as possible, while keeping you and your baby safe. It’s wonderful to have a plan, but it’s also important to stay flexible and anticipate unexpected events, in case something changes. A healthy mom and a healthy baby are always our goal. Contact us for more information.