Mommies Magazine

Why You Should Have a Birth Plan

Posted on 30. May, 2007 by Mom Mag in Health

If you do online research as to why birth plans are important, you will find that there are numerous sites that have an answer.  A few things to think about is why you should have a birth plan and how it can help you.  If you’re wondering how to write a birth plan, let’s take a look at one such plan so that you can fully appreciate the steps taken in this written document.

The document begins with your name, caregiver, name of hospital or birth center, due date, coach (father or other) and name of your baby.  The document then proceeds with the following subtitles with questions that relate to each 1, which you can check off accordingly.  The categories include:
1.    Labor
2.    Labor Induction
3.    Anesthesia and Pain Medication
4.    Cesarean Section Delivery
5.    Perineal Care
6.    Delivery
7.    After Birth
8.    Newborn Care
9.    Postpartum
10.    Breastfeeding
11.    Additional notes which may encompass picture taking, video-recording, and circumcision.

A lot of people assume that a lot of hospitals will not think that this document necessary because it has no legal standing, there are hospitals that are open to following your wishes as much as they can.  This opens up another train of thought which is: researching and finding the right obstetrician and hospital that will conform to your requests.

Unfortunately, there are some hospitals that do not have the greatest reputation or the best facilities. Creating this birth plan allows you to fully digest all of the possibilities you need to consider when choosing the proper hospital to deliver your child.

While you may put your doctor on a pedestals, nobody knows more about hos you feel than you do.  Therefore, creating a birth plan can alleviate a great deal of unneeded stress as you prepare to become a mom. Why you should have a birth plan allows you to set down all of the details and choices beforehand.