When it comes to preparing for your birth, have you made a birth plan? Or are you taking the approach of just 'going with the flow'?
As a Midwife, I’ve seen all sorts of birth plans. Some are long and detailed, others are more generic, but most are great and a valuable tool in an empowering birth!
The reality for most women giving birth in Adelaide is that they won't have the chance to meet their midwife before the big day - and that is why it is so helpful to have a birth plan. Because it is the quickest, and simplest way to communicate your preferences with your midwife. You usually won't want to be having in depth conversations and answering a heap of questions when you're trying to focus and work through contractions. And for those who DO have a known midwife or obstetrician for their birth (ie you're in a midwifery group practice program or working with a private midwife), birth plans are still a great tool to communicate your wishes clearly.
Sometimes we see birth plans that focus solely on what the couple wants, without considering what their preferences might be if things don’t go as expected. Now I am all for a positive mindset, and it is imperative that we get clear on what we do actually want for our birth, but it is also equally important to consider other birth scenarios so you can feel confident no matter which path your birth takes.
So what are my honest thoughts on birth plans? I LOVE them and think it is key for every birthing woman to have one. However there are some things to consider in order to make yours effective - and one your care providers will actually read!)
The Real Value in a Birth Plan
The true value of a birth plan isn’t just in the written preferences themselves but in the process of creating them. This is where the magic happens! When you and your partner take the time to explore your options, research them, and decide what feels right for you, you’re empowering yourselves with knowledge. You get to make informed decisions at your own pace, without pressure. This process is gold.
This is also why I believe that generic 'print-and-take' birth plans aren’t nearly as effective. They skip this crucial step—where you really dig into what you want and why.
Why You Need to Consider Different Birth Paths
During labor, the last thing you want to do is make big decisions about your birth preferences. In fact, when you’re in labor, your primal brain is in charge, and that’s not the ideal time for weighing up options or making decisions.
That’s why birth plans are so valuable. They allow you to enter labor with the confidence that you and your partner have already considered different possibilities and decided in advance what you would like in different scenarios. This means you hopefully won’t be faced with big decisions during the intensity of labor, helping you stay relaxed and focused.
Effective birth plans outline your preferences in your ideal birth scenario, but they also outline your preferences in an induction of labour, a long labour, and if you need an emergency caesarean. In our Held Birth Classes and our Online Hypnobirthing Course you receive an editable birth plan template that covers all of these types of births and the options available to you.
For example:
“I would like my baby to stay close to me and be in skin-to-skin contact for at least the first hour after birth. If my baby needs to be transferred to the NICU or special care nursery before the first breastfeed, I would like my partner to accompany our baby and for our midwife to support me to hand express colostrum for baby.”
This statement is adaptable to different birth scenarios, empowering you and your partner to stay calm and clear no matter what path your birth may take.
The Birth Map: A Visual Twist on Preferences
A birth map is similar to a list of birth preferences but has a more visual, mind-map layout. It can be a great tool for those who like a more visual approach to planning. Some people prefer a list, others prefer a map—it’s really about what feels right for you.
Both options—a written plan or a map—are fantastic because they allow you to approach your birth in a way that’s well-thought-out and adaptable. Birth plans help you feel empowered, knowing that you’ve researched all your options and can make informed choices. And if your birth takes an unexpected turn, you’ll feel confident in your ability to still achieve as many of your preferences as possible.
Go Deeper with Birth Plans in Our Held Birth Courses
In our Birth courses, we dive deep into creating birth preferences, ensuring that both you and your birth partner fully understand your options. I take you through the different birth choices available to you, and the pros/cons of these options so you can make informed decisions. I love teaching this part in the course as we get to go through options that you may not have even considered yet, or been aware of. This is where you can truly personalise your preferences based on your own needs and desires for your birth.
By the end of the course, you’ll have your very own, customised, well-researched birth plan to share with your midwife or obstetrician. It’s much more powerful than a generic birth plan, trust me!
Have You Created Your Birth Preferences Yet?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you started to think about your birth plan, or are you still in the early stages? If you’d like more support and guidance, join my in person or online course where we cover birth planning in detail—together, we’ll make sure you feel confident, calm, and ready for your big day.
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