With all of the information available on the internet, unsolicited birth stories from all the people you didn’t ask, and a bajillion birth plan templates to choose from…it can be really hard to filter the info and get down to business to write your birth plan. 

And I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but…

The extra decorative, extra long (multi-page) birth plan you might be in the middle of drafting, while cute, is ineffective. If the nurses and providers have to sift through a bunch of pretty pictures and words about wanting aromatherapy to find your intervention preferences, that’s not effective. And honestly, they might not actually read it. 

As a birth doula, I’ve learned how to help my clients create birth plans that their providers actually *want* to read. And isn’t that the whole point? A document to convey your birth wishes to a total stranger and hope they offer you their full support —yes, that’s the goal! 

That said, there is room for the pretty stuff, and for the early labor preferences. 

Today I’m diving into all of the details about how to create the perfect birth plan for everyone involved – your providers, your birth team, and most importantly for you and your baby! You guys are the real MVPs. 💯

My approach is to break your birth plan into 4 very specific sections. Each section gets its own page (waaaaait…I thought you said not to make a multi-page birth plan…? True, but stay with me, it’ll all make sense soon 😉)

Let’s break it down!

Page 1

Page 1 is your pre-birth plan plan…say that 10 times fast. This is where you’re gonna list all of the essential things on your to-do list that need done before baby arrives: car seat installed, stock up on diapers and wipes, do a grocery run, install a contraction timer on your phone, install your baby monitor, etc.) Creating a to-do list page makes sure that you stay organized, but it’s also incredibly helpful if labor comes suddenly and you don’t have your list done yet. Your partner or doula can reference that list and get it done for you easily, while you keep your focus on doing the hard work of labor. 

*This first page stays at home, don’t bring it to your birthing space and give to your providers….unless you really want to confuse them*

Page 2

Page 2 is all for you and your support team, not for your provider. I want you to use this page to visualize your dream birth using your 5 senses. This is not for your thoughts on interventions or emergent situations. This is for you to let your imagination take over and put your dreams to paper…(p.s. This is the page you can make as pretty as your heart wants♥) If everything went according to plan for your early labor and active labor…

what would it look like? (candles, movies playing, string lights) 

What would it smell like? (bread in the oven, ocean scented candles, essential oils)

What would it taste like? (sipping bone broth, tea or eating a healthy snack for energy) 

What would it feel like? (your partner doing light massage or hip squeezes) 

What would it sound like? (affirmations, music, quietness)

Use this page in early labor at home or in the birth space as a guide to help you set the tone for your dream birth setting! 

Page 3

Now we’re getting to the meat and potatoes of the birth plan, page 3. This is your intervention, medical preferences, and birth plan for your providers. This is the page they *really* care about…trust me! This page will have 5 sections: active labor preferences, pushing preferences, placenta/2nd stage preferences, immediate postpartum preferences, and newborn preferences. Each section should have very short, concise and easy to read bullet points outlining your preferences.

Let’s break down each section & talk about what you might include here 👇

• Active labor preferences: movement preferences, fetal monitoring preferences, cervical checks and IV preferences, etc. (any specific consents or non-consents leading up to pushing)
• Pushing preferences: ability to push in any position, coached vs. non-coached pushing, holding breath vs. ability to breath, etc.
• Placenta preferences: take placenta home, birth placenta unassisted, delayed cord-clamping
• Immediate Postpartum preferences: immediate skin-to-skin, no bulb syringe, no Pitocin)
• Newborn preferences: decline any vaccines, early initiation of breastfeeding, delayed newborn exam, etc.

Page 4

The last page, page 4 is for listing out your preferences for the urgent and unplanned scenarios you may encounter during labor. This page should live in your birth bag, incase and until you need it. You should clearly indicate your preferences on pain management, inductions, vaginal tearing, hemorrhages, c-sections and anything else you have preferences on should it come up. Again, very short, concise bullet points are important to use, because the less your provider has to sift through, the easier it will be for them to read and implement your wishes. 

So there you have it! Your 4 page birth plan, with pages for just you and your family, a page for your provider, and a page prepared just in case you encounter an urgent or unplanned hiccup that you want to be ready for….but here’s to hoping that it goes exactly as you plan! 🥂

If you’re in the birth plan stage and have questions, or want insight from an experienced birth doula, check out my private and comprehensive 1-on-1 Birth Coaching Calls. 

Leave me a comment here with any questions you have, I’d love to help you! ♥