Are you ready for the day that your baby is born? Here’s a free, printable birth plan document for you to complete, which will ultimately help you feel fully prepared on the day you deliver your child. It’s important to keep in mind that a birth plan is a flexible guide. Even though you may not exactly follow your plan step-by-step, completing it can help you understand all of your options ahead of time.
Here are a few important points you should consider beforehand in order to ensure that you’re on the same page with your doctor, midwife, nurse, or whoever else will be involved in that special day.
1. Location and environment
You’ll need to decide on the location for the birth of your child, such as at home, birth center or hospital. Would you prefer to be in a tub or in a hospital bed? There are many options to explore.
2. Your support team
If you haven’t decided between a midwife or OBGYN, be sure to take the time to explore your options. During your birth would you prefer to have your partner, a family member or doula help you? Deciding on a pediatrician for your baby is important, too.
3. Drugs or natural
When you are in labor it helps to keep in mind that you may change your mind. Discussing pitocin, epidural, c-section, water birth and cervidil ahead of time can help you understand your options before you are faced with these choices during labor.
4. Special instructions for baby
The first few hours after your baby is born are sensitive, and you will likely remember this experience for a long time. Consider how you would like to handle the umbilical cord being cut, who will be with the baby if you are separated from her, bathing options, vitamin K shot, hepatitis B immunization and breastfeeding.
Creating your flexible birth plan can help you feel empowered, because there are many choices when it comes to the birth of your baby. During your birth you may change your mind, and of course that’s okay. Your birth plan helps you understand your choices ahead of time, so you are more prepared to make decisions.
About Carol Brooke
Before becoming a mother, I earned a Master of Science in Counseling and Master of Education in Educational Technology. Part of what convinced me to become a work-at-home mom is what I learned in college and my working experience as a counselor and teacher. To sum it up... I learned that we can't get the time back, so we've got to treasure every moment. http://carolbrookebooks.blogspot.com/
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