Have you ever planned a trip? How about a lunch at a particular deli or restaurant? One day, I asked my daughter, why did she need the baking soda? She replied that she was planning to make caramel popcorn. I’m confident that everyone has at least planned to relax at one point or another. That is how practical it is to make a plan. We do it throughout the day almost subconsciously. It is not only practical but actually viewed as essential to success. Which is why it is extremely baffling that many expecting couples enter the delivery room without a birthing plan, despite having advance notice for months. If they don’t have a birthing plan, do they really plan to give birth? Many may argue that a birthing plan is pointless, because it’s out of our control and not legally binding. In this article, I would like to propose that having a birthing plan is not only important, but also a very useful tool for communication.
Having a birthing plan can be an important part of the childbirth process for many expectant mothers. A birthing plan is a document that outlines a woman’s preferences and wishes for the childbirth experience, including her desired location for delivery, who she wants present during the birth, and what type of pain management she prefers.
There are several benefits to having a birthing plan. First and foremost, a birthing plan can help a woman feel more in control of the childbirth experience. Childbirth can be an unpredictable and overwhelming process, and having a birthing plan allows a woman to have some say in how it unfolds. This can be particularly important for women who have anxiety about childbirth or who have had negative experiences in the past. By outlining her preferences and communicating them to her healthcare provider, spouse, doula or family, a woman can feel more confident and prepared for the childbirth process.
A birthing plan can also be a useful tool for communication between a woman and her healthcare provider. It allows a woman to express her wishes and preferences to her provider in a clear and concise manner, and it gives her provider a better understanding of what she wants. This can be especially important if a woman has specific requests or concerns, such as a desire for a natural childbirth or a preference for a particular type of pain management. By outlining these preferences in a birthing plan, a woman can ensure that her provider is aware of them and can work to accommodate them.
In addition to helping a woman feel more in control and facilitating communication with her healthcare provider, a birthing plan can also help ensure that the childbirth experience aligns with a woman’s values and beliefs. Many women have strong feelings about how they want their childbirth experience to be, and a birthing plan allows them to articulate these feelings and ensure that their preferences are taken into account. For example, a woman who is strongly committed to natural childbirth may want to specify in her birthing plan that she does not want to use pain medication or have an epidural. Similarly, a woman who wants a more hands-off approach to childbirth may want to specify that she does not want to be constantly monitored or have many interventions. By outlining these preferences in a birthing plan, a woman can help ensure that her childbirth experience is consistent with her values and beliefs.
One perspective is to consider it a rubric or tool used to more accurately rate the birthing experience based on your expectations communicated to your health care provider.
It may also be helpful to view the birthing plan as a living will, that was created when you were in sound mind (not under the influence of pain meds, nor the duress of labor) which outlines how you would like your birthing affairs to be handled.
It’s worth affirming that a birthing plan is not a legally binding document, and a woman’s healthcare provider is not required to follow it. However, most providers are willing to work with their patients to accommodate their preferences to the extent possible, and a birthing plan can be a helpful tool for facilitating this process. It’s important for a woman to understand that there may be situations in which it is necessary for her provider to deviate from her birthing plan in order to ensure the safety of herself and her baby. However, having a birthing plan can still be a useful way to help ensure that a woman’s preferences are taken into account as much as possible.
In conclusion, having a birthing plan can be an important part of the childbirth process for many expectant mothers. It can help a woman feel more in control of the childbirth experience, facilitate communication with her healthcare provider, and ensure that the childbirth experience aligns with her values and beliefs. While it is not a legally binding document, a birthing plan can be a useful tool for ensuring that a woman’s preferences are taken into account as much as possible.
As we come to the end of this article, here is a controversial view worth considering:
- How would handle a situation where you discover that your care-provider never truly subscribed to the birthing plan religion, and on delivery-day decides to totally disregard your birthing plan?
Please leave your reply in the comments section.