You’re going to be a mom for the first time! Congratulations! Everything is a brand new experience as you start out on your journey to motherhood. First-time moms can easily write a simple birth plan or a list of birth preferences to help them feel more prepared come delivery day.
Your baby is almost here! It’s such an exciting and magical time. As the days start winding down and you get closer and closer to your due date, the anticipation builds.
Of course, you are thrilled, nervous, happy, worried, and about 50 other emotions all at once! You also may have a million things running through your head amid all the excitement. Take a deep cleansing breath and read on.
Writing up a simple birth plan ahead of time is a great way to prepare for the big day.
You might be wondering, do I really need a birth plan?
The short answer is yes but the good news is, it doesn’t have to be over-complicated.
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Having a birth plan in place before going into labour is one of the most important things for first-time moms to tackle.
It will help you feel more prepared and reduce some anxiety you might have surrounding your labour.
Believe me Mama, “winging it” is generally not a good idea.
However, it’s also very important to remember that your birth plan is not set in stone. Think of it as more of an outline of your preferences, hopes, and expectations.
Every birth is unique and things can change on the fly. So when the day comes yes, bring your birth plan, but be flexible as well. Try not to get hung up on it. And please don’t feel like you failed somehow if you change your mind on something, or a medical situation arises and your plan goes out the window.
The most important thing above all is the safe delivery of your baby!
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. This post contains only suggestions and ideas for you to include in your birth plan and is in no way intended to be taken as medical advice. It is based on my personal experience and research. Always speak to your doctor if you have specific questions.
What Is A Birth Plan Anyway?
A birth plan is just a document that you bring to the hospital with you on the big day outlining your goals and preferences before and during labour, and after delivery.
It really doesn’t need to be anything fancy or complicated.
Just simply follow the guidelines below and just write it in your own words. I did mine in Word and printed it. I brought a copy to my final appointment with my OB just so they could place it in my file and I stuck 3 copies in my hospital bag.
Your birth plan is a great way to communicate your wishes to your healthcare team, but again, remember it’s impossible to predict every situation that may arise during labour and delivery.
Keep your birth plan simple. In my honest opinion, it’s best to keep it to one page and include only your most important preferences. Make it easy to read by using bullet points.
Birth Plan For First Time Moms: Things To Consider
Where will you be giving birth? Home, hospital, or birthing center?
If you are choosing a hospital or birthing center, request a tour of the labour and delivery unit. There you will be able to assess some of the options available to you. This article is geared towards a hospital birth, as was my personal experience.
If you are interested in water birth, ask if there are birthing tubs available. Will it be possible to take a warm shower or bath during early labour? Do they supply birthing balls or should you bring your own?
Now You Are Ready To Write Up Your Plan!
Introduction
* Title it simply Birth Plan for (your name and age.) Followed by your spouse or birth partner’s name, and the name of your obstetrician. You might not get your actual OB for delivery so a short introduction will suffice.
*Any allergies or prescription medications you take.
*State that this is your first pregnancy.
*Your due date. Add your baby’s name too if you already have it picked out!
*Write a simple introduction such as: this is a brief outline of our hopes and expectations for labor and delivery.
In my birth plan, I added, “we are reasonable people and realize that anything can happen and we are more than willing to be flexible.” Be polite in your writing and acknowledge the fact that your doctors and nurses are the professionals.
Your People
In other words, who you want in the room with you during labour, and especially during delivery.
Our hospital allowed my husband and one other person at a time in the room. During the early stages of labor, family members might be able to take turns visiting with you. Your birthing facility will let you know their particular rules on this.
Mobility
Do you want to be free to walk around during labor, walk the halls, or just around the room? I was induced but I was able to walk around the room with the IV with no problem. Add if you would like to have access to a birthing stool, birthing ball, or a bathtub.
Atmosphere
Perhaps you would like some soft music playing, access to headphones to listen to hypnobirthing or meditation music. You may request the lights be dimmed if possible.
Monitoring
Do you want steady or intermittent monitoring of the baby’s and your vitals? This will depend on how your labour is happening.
Again, I was induced so I had to be on steady monitoring. But if you are not being administered Pitocin, you may request to have only intermittent monitoring so you can move around more freely. Trust your doctor and nurses, they know best about this.
Induction Without An Epidural: What’s It Really Like?
Pain Management
Are you hoping to have a natural birth with no meds? Or are you open to some pain relief but no epidural? Let the nurses know what your preference is.
In my case, I did not want the epidural or drugs. If you’re thinking of going epidural-free, go for it! (Remember, you are allowed to change your mind.)
My nurse Cathy (who was amazing by the way), ran down my list of choices. Gas (nitrous oxide), morphine, or Demerol were among them. She informed me of the side effects of each and told me it was entirely up to me.
It’s important especially for you first-time moms to know your options ahead of time, regardless of your birth plan.
Delivery
*If you wish to be sitting or squatting during your labour, let them know. If you get an epidural though, this is pretty much impossible.
*If you are hoping for a vaginal delivery, state if you would prefer to avoid an episiotomy, vacuum-assisted delivery or forceps. Again remember, anything can happen and be flexible, but just let them know what you would like to happen.
*Would you like a mirror available so you can see the delivery? I didn’t but to each their own.
*Who will cut the umbilical cord?
*Do you want immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby, even if you have a C-section? Make this crystal clear.
*You may want delayed cord clamping, we chose to have the cord milked only as per my OB’s recommendation (and who I trust implicitly).
*Have you made arrangements to have the cord blood banked or donated? If so, add the details of this arrangement.
*If you are having a cesarean section or in the case of an emergency C-section, do you want your husband or partner in the room with you?
*If the baby is to be taken from you directly after birth for any reason, whether routine testing or an emergency, you may want to request your husband/partner be allowed to go with. If so, indicate that you want him or her to be with the baby at all times.
Feeding And Your Hospital Stay
*Are you planning on breastfeeding? If so, in this section make it clear that you would like to attempt breastfeeding immediately. Our hospital does skin to skin for mom and baby for the whole first hour with all uncomplicated deliveries.
Read more about the importance of skin-to-skin contact for mom and baby, especially in what is called “The Sacred Hour” right after giving birth, in this article by Breastmilk Counts.
*Request that a lactation consultant be made available to you if you are struggling with nursing your baby or do not know how to breastfeed.
*Ask for a stool softener to be administered, (trust me on this one.)
*State your preferences on feeding the baby formula and use of pacifiers.
*State if you would like a room/birthing suite for you, the baby and your partner to stay in together.
*If your baby is a boy, be sure to put in whether or not you want him circumcised. In our case, my doctor does it in his office about a week later, so I added that. Ask your OB for advice on this if it’s something you’re considering.
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Wrapping Up
I truly hope some of these suggestions will give all of you first-time moms some ideas for writing up a simple birth plan. Do your due diligence and research about the factors that are most important to you.
Reach out and talk to other moms you know who have been through it, either in real life, in community forums online or Facebook groups. Take everything with a grain of salt, and tailor your own birth plan to suit your needs.
Don’t forget, a birth plan is not a plan set in stone, but it’s still a great idea to have one!
Ideally, you will have a pretty good idea of how you would like your labour and your baby’s birth to go well ahead of time.
Include the points that are most important to you, type it up, and put a few copies in your hospital bag. Also, remember to bring a copy to your OB, and have him or her look it over for you.
Wishing you all the best as you prepare to embark on this wild ride called motherhood!
Peace, Kelly
Kelly Blakely is the founder and creative force behind Just Our View From Here. As a first-time mom over 40, she brings a fresh perspective to parenting and family life on her blog. Kelly also explores a wide range of lifestyle topics in her writing, including fashion, beauty, self-care, and well-being.
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