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Creating A Birth Plan

© Jaime Warren

Two to three months before your due date, your doctor will begin discussing with you different options available to you for your labor and delivery. It is important to ask questions and voice your concerns about the hospital you will be delivering at, the hospital staff, or certain hospital procedures. Another wonderful way of voicing your concerns and needs is by creating a birth plan. A birth plan can be very important in making your labor and birth a wonderful and easy experience.

Birth plans usually consist of information about yourself and your pregnancy as well as what you expect from your doctor, hospital staff and what you want during your labor and delivery. Another wonderful aspect of creating a birth plan is that it leaves nothing open for discussion. So many times doctors will take it upon themselves to perform a procedure, such as an episiotomy, before ensuring that the mother is comfortable with it. Labor and the delivery of your newborn is an exciting and anticipated event. It's up to you how you want this event to go.

If you do decide to create a birth plan, be sure to let your doctor know that you will creating one. Also, it's important to ask your doctor what birthing methods, such as birthing balls, hot tubs, rocking chairs, will be available to you. Doing so will help you get a better idea of what methods you want to take advantage of. Here are just a few of the basics for your birth plan:

**Be sure to note whether or not you prefer an episiotomy, or if you would rather tear.

**Be sure to note your ideal birthing environment. Would you prefer giving birth with more than one family member present?

**What would be the idea birthing environment for you? Would you prefer the lights turned down low or perhaps have soft, soothing music playing?

**Be sure to note your desire for or against pain relief. Noting this will ensure that if you don't want pain relief, you won't be asked ten times if you do want it. And, noting that you do will ensure that the preferred pain relief method is readily available.

**Be sure to note, if having a boy, whether you want him circumcised or not.

**Be sure to note whether or not you would like to be able to walk around during labor, use available birthing equipment such as birthing balls, rocking chairs or hot tubs.