When is the right time to create my Birth Plan?

Expectant parents ask me all the time - "When is the right time to create my Birth Plan?" And the truth is - it’s never too early!

The Birth Planning process is not so much about the actual Birth Plan itself; it’s educating yourself about the birth process, knowing what to expect, talking with your provider about their philosophy & policies, and researching the policies & procedures of your birthplace.

The sooner that you know what type of birth experience YOU want, the sooner you can start preparing yourself mentally & physically; adjusting your diet, nutrition, & exercise routine to stay healthy & low-risk, or to seek out the assistance you need if you have concerns; researching & touring birth places to learn more about your options; building your birth team (including a doula, if you are looking for extra support!); and making sure that you feel confident and prepared to manifest the birth experience that you want. 

So as I said, Birth Planning is a process; not just a one time thing where you just sit down and create a checklist! You should start early in pregnancy, establishing goals, noting what you do and don’t want - and then revisiting these things again later in pregnancy, in case any of your wishes or circumstances may have changed. 

Maybe you are planning an out-of-hospital birth, but also wanting to create a backup plan in case of hospital transfer. Maybe some health concerns for you or your baby may have arisen at some point, and your care plans have changed. Or maybe there are circumstances outside of your control that might have you adjusting your plans or expectations.

Keep in mind that a Birth Plan is not a legal document or a rigid idea, but is a tool for communication with your birth team, to help streamline the process and inform your providers of your preferences. A good Birth Plan should be fluid, and help you to facilitate conversations with your team throughout labor, delivery, and postpartum.

I include Birth Plan Consultations as part of my Birth Doula packages - but this service is also available for those who don't plan to utilize the services of a doula on their birth team. Reach out today to schedule your Birth Plan Consultation or enroll in my self-paced online course, Holistic Childbirth Preparation! (HSA/FSA eligible)