[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/01\/how-to-choose-a-birth-plan\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/01\/how-to-choose-a-birth-plan\/","headline":"How to Choose a Birth Plan","name":"How to Choose a Birth Plan","description":"If you\u2019re expecting a baby, you\u2019ve probably thought about everything from names to childcare to how many diapers you\u2019ll need. But what many expectant parents don\u2019t think about are their goals for their labor and delivery experience. Creating a birth plan in advance can help you and your partner outline your wishes for your ideal […]","datePublished":"2020-01-15","dateModified":"2024-11-26","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/campaigns\/southcentral-pa","name":"UPMC Harrisburg","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/campaigns\/southcentral-pa","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-harrisburg\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/how-to-choose-a-birth-plan.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/how-to-choose-a-birth-plan.jpg","height":737,"width":1536},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/01\/how-to-choose-a-birth-plan\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Pregnancy and Childbirth"],"wordCount":742,"keywords":["Healthier You Podcast","Pinnacle Health"],"articleBody":"If you\u2019re expecting a baby, you\u2019ve probably thought about everything from names to childcare to how many diapers you\u2019ll need. But what many expectant parents don\u2019t think about are their goals for their labor and delivery experience.Creating a birth plan in advance can help you and your partner outline your wishes for your ideal birthing situation.What Is a Birth Plan?A birth plan is a written document that allows an expectant mother to outline her ideal birth situation. After you provide a copy of your birth plan to your health care provider, it will be included in your medical chart. It is a legal document.However, having a birth plan does not guarantee that your baby\u2019s birth will happen according to your wishes. Your health care provider\u2019s ultimate goal is the health and safety of you and your baby.Every birth situation is different. Your health care provider will do their best to honor your wishes for labor and delivery while ensuring that you and your baby are safe and healthy.Why is a birth plan important?A birth plan gives you a \u201cvoice\u201d when it comes to your labor and delivery. It allows you to communicate your wishes for your birth experience before it\u2019s time to deliver. Even if your birth experience does not go as planned, your birth plan will help your providers adhere to your wishes as closely as possible.Why would I need a birth plan if I plan to give birth in a hospital?If you are planning to give birth in a hospital, there are still numerous birth scenarios that could occur. It is a good idea to think about what you would want in different situations while keeping in mind that the hospital will have rules and regulations that need to be followed. Also, it is important to remember that your health care provider will act with your safety and your baby\u2019s safety in mind.What should be included in a birth plan?A birth plan may cover topics such as care throughout the pregnancy, your goals for the baby\u2019s delivery, and strategies for pain management during labor.When should I do a birth plan?You can do a birth plan at any time before your baby is born, but it is most helpful to do it early in your pregnancy. Preparing your birth plan early on will allow you to make sure your practice or hospital can accommodate your wishes and goals for your delivery. It will also give you time to learn about different birthing options and scenarios and decide what is right for you.Should I Make a Birth Plan for My Second or Third Child?Yes. You will change, grow, and learn as you expand your family. What you wanted for your first birth may be different than what you want for your second or third birth.For example, you might find out about something new that you didn\u2019t know about before, or you might have had a previous experience that you don\u2019t want to replicate.Even if it\u2019s not your first birth experience, a birth plan allows you to clarify your wishes.How Do I Develop a Birth Plan?If you aren\u2019t sure where to start, you can find templates for birth plans online. You can fill in your wishes, or you can use the template to get ideas for developing your own birth plan.Before you provide a finalized copy of your birth plan, you should review it with your health care provider. During this conversation, your provider can learn more about your wishes and help you understand your options in different situations.For example, if you were to say in your birth plan that you don\u2019t want to have a vacuum extraction, then sometimes the only other option is to do a C-section. It\u2019s crucial to work with your health care provider so you understand the implications of your wishes and ensure that you are OK with the potential outcomes.Having a birth plan encourages expectant mothers to think about and communicate their goals for labor and delivery in advance. However, you should develop your birth plan in partnership with your health care provider to ensure that you have a full understanding of your options and decisions.You can find more helpful information in this podcast.Featuring Patricia A. Madden, CNM"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"01","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/\/01\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How to Choose a Birth Plan","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/01\/how-to-choose-a-birth-plan\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]