How to Talk to Your Doctor About Your Birth Plan
A birth plan is an important part of preparing for an empowered birth experience
So you’ve written a birth plan - now what? What do you do after you’ve written a birth plan? Maybe you’ve thought, “how do I talk to my doctor about my birth plan”? While writing a birth plan is an important step in preparing for Your Best Birth™, what you do with your plan matters just as much!
When should I write my birth plan?
It’s commonly heard to work on your birth plan in your third trimester, however, it’s important to begin informing yourself of what to expect from your OB or midwife much sooner. The sooner you discuss your preferences for your birth, the sooner you’ll know if you’ve chosen a provider and location where the policies and procedures align with your goals - ie, is what you’re wanting even offered at your place of birth? The sooner you have this conversation, the more time you’ll have to create a plan - hire a doula, take a childbirth class, or even switch providers or your location.
Communicating your birth plan
Once your birth plan is complete, let your OB or midwife know you’d like to discuss it with them. If your appointments usually feel rushed, call in advance to request an additional 5-10 minutes be added to your next appointment or, simply let your provider know at the beginning of your next appointment that you’d like to discuss your birth plan.
When the time comes for this conversation, it’s important to have it eye to eye, meaning you aren’t in stirrups, the provider isn’t multi-tasking, etc. Ask to be fully clothed and review the birth plan together face to face.
Your provider should read over it with you, pointing out options that don’t align with their practices or hospital (or birth center) policy. If this happens, be sure to ask: 1) why? 2) are there other options? 3) if this doesn’t align with what you understand to be true, it’s ok to ask about contradicting information and/or for them to provide evidence-based resources to help you understand.
If your OB or midwife doesn’t think you need a birth plan or won’t review it with you, that’s a huge red flag. If the discussion feels dismissive, mocking or otherwise uncomfortable, that’s also a red flag. It’s almost never too late to switch providers or hire a doula!
The ultimate cheat sheet
Another important use for your birth plan is as the ultimate 1-pager for your nurse and the on-call OB or midwife. Often times, you don’t know who your OB or midwife will be when you go into labor. Having a birth plan to review when you meet them helps! Same thing goes for your nurse(s). A birth plan allows your nurse to quickly see what is important to you and why - it helps them, help you. Be sure to print an extra copy and tuck it in your birth bag. Then, paste it on the white board in your room or on the door to your room.
Writing a birth plan also helps you understand your options - remember, the only options you’ll have are the ones you’re aware of! It’s also a helpful tool for you and your partner to ensure you’re on the same page about what’s important to you and why. They may need to advocate for you and trusting your support team knows what you want helps you relax and trust the process.
Writing a birth plan is an important part of preparing for your best birth. It will help you understand your options, clarify what is important to you and why and it should help you understand what to expect for your provider and place of birth. You should feel supported and encouraged or perhaps you’ll see a need for additional support. Either way - a birth plan is a helpful tool for everyone.
