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By: ePregnancy

We know you’ve been thinking about labor and childbirth since the moment you found out, but now is the time to really nail down your birth plan. Having a written birth plan makes your wishes crystal clear to whomever is attending your birth, from doctors to midwives to nurses to your partner. It will help refresh memories when you are in labor and will ensure that everyone involved is on the same page. But remember, even though you have your wishes in writing, you must remain flexible, as labor and delivery is a constantly changing environment. As you are creating your birth plan, you might also consider whether or not you’d like a doula. Doulas are essentially birth coaches, who will help you through labor and delivery. In some cases, a doula can act as your advocate, communicating your wishes to medical staff if you are unable to.

Here is what you need to spell out in your birth plan:

• Who will be present during labor and/or birth? List out names and their relation to you.
  
  
• What would you like your environment to be? If you want certain music played, the lights dimmed, to have the birth filmed -- this is the place to record all that information.
  
  
• How would you like your labor to proceed? List out what level of monitoring you'd like, what equipment you'd like available (birthing stool, chair, etc.), what position you'd like to use during birth and so on.
  
  
• What kind of pain management would you like? Spell out your wishes here -- if you want an epidural or not, if you want systemic medication, if you don't want any at all.
  
  
• What kind of birth do you want? Be clear if you want a vaginal birth or a c-section and under which conditions you want each of those.
  
  
• What kind of post-partum care would you like? If you want to be present for all newborn procedures, this is the place to say so. You'll also map out your circumcision choice, what you'd like your baby to be fed and other details.