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The Birth Plan

Is a Birth Plan Helpful or Troublesome?

By Marie Fellenstein Hale

Naturally, circumstances come up where you can't make every decision. You will need to trust your caregivers to do what is best for you in an emergency situation, and remain flexible because each birth is unique. It is good to plan for the unexpected, as well as for the natural course of events. Consider using terms that distance yourself from problems. For example, instead of saying, "If I need a Cesarean" you might say, "If a Cesarean becomes necessary." That way, you don't imagine yourself in that situation, but you acknowledge it as a possibility. Once you are in labor, if you uncomfortable with interventions that are recommended, first find out if there is a medical emergency. If there isn't one, you might use phrases such as the following to have time to make a decision: "We need more information," "We need time to make this decision," "Are there any alternatives?" "We will consider that, "Thanks for explaining that option," "Can you check back with us in a little while about that?"

With so many issues in birth to consider, it is understandable that you want everything to go according to your preferences. But this is when you may end up with a birth plan that could go largely unread because of the length. That's when it's time to narrow your scope and focus on what you really care about.

For instance, if you think it might be fun to have your friend or your mother at your birth, but it really isn't important to you, and your birth partner doesn't get along with that person, then it may be important to compromise. The more comfortable your birth partner is, the better he wil be able to support you. However, perhaps you and your birth partner don't agree on how to provide pain relief during labor and this is an important issue to you. Then your birth partner should be flexible and respect your wishes.