Embarking on your pregnancy journey should involve creating a birth plan. This plan outlines your preferences for the childbirth experience. It includes details such as pain management, labour positions, who will be present during the birth, and special requests for after the baby is born. The purpose of a birth plan is to communicate your wishes to your healthcare team and ensure they are taken into account during delivery.
It is recommended to start working on your birth plan during the second trimester of pregnancy. This allows for thoughtful consideration of your preferences and gives you time to discuss the plan with your healthcare providers. Making a birth plan early ensures that all your preferences are well-communicated to the healthcare team in advance.
A birth plan should include details such as the ideal birthing environment, pain management preferences, labour and pushing positions, healthcare provider preferences, interventions, delivery room atmosphere, immediate postpartum preferences, feeding preferences, and special circumstances. Each birth plan should be tailored to fit the specific needs and preferences associated with the mode of delivery, whether it be vaginal or C-section.