"Birth Plan" is a Misnomer!

I see a lot of first-time moms asking in FB groups if they should write a birth plan, and the comment section gets flooded with moms saying: “You can’t plan birth” “Just trust your doctor” “No sense in writing a plan, I wrote a birth plan and none of it happened”

These kinds of comments absolutely drive me bonkers! Because what I hear (read) in these comments is women saying: “My preferences/choices/desires weren’t respected.” “I didn’t have a birth partner who could advocate for me.” “I put my trust in the hands of medical professionals and still had a traumatic experience.”

A ”Birth Plan” is not a step-by-step guide of how your birth is going to go – we all know that is unrealistic – birth IS unpredictable - but that doesn’t mean: - you must give up your bodily autonomy - you have to sacrifice your right to

informed content - your preferences go out the window

when birth takes a slight turn.

The birth preferences are basically anything a care provider would need to get consent from you before they administer it to you or your baby. These could be medications, technical interventions like episiotomy/vacuum/forceps, birthing positions, it can even be which nurse is assigned to you! Write your birth preferences and get your support team and care providers 100% onboard so that your desires can be respected no matter what happens!

Examples of Birth Preferences

Once your preferences are established THAT’S when you PLAN and PREPARE for your birth and how you will achieve your preferences.  Just like anything else in life, your goals aren’t going to achieve themselves. You have to put in the work throughout your pregnancy to educate yourself, to nourish and prepare your body, and to build your support team for the birth that you want!