As a Doula, I provide two prenatal visits for couples throughout the last few months of pregnancy.  One visit is to plan the birth and the second is used to discuss all things postpartum once baby arrives.  I believe both topics are of great and equal importance in preparing for the two major life events they are about to experience.  I spend a good hour or two at each visit helping couples navigate the many decisions and options available to them.  

If you are expecting, I would strongly encourage you to learn as much as you can about the birth process through childbirth education classes.  You cannot formulate a birth plan if you do not understand what your options are.  You also need to ask a lot of questions when you tour your place of birth.  Here are just a few things you'll need to inquire about in order to create your birth plan.  This list is limited but gives you an idea:

• Labor environment ( Can you wear your own clothes, have dim lighting, use aromatherapy?)
• Mobility in labor (Will you be allowed to move freely, walk, use birth tools like a ball?)
• Hydration and Nourishment (Can you eat and drink in labor?  Is this allowed?)
• Monitoring (Do you have to be monitored continuously or will they monitor you and baby intermittently?)
• Pain relief options (You'll need to know all medical and non-medical options available to you in your place of birth and the support you will receive, especially if you do not have a doula.)
• Medical interventions (What is your provider's protocol if you go past your estimated due date, and how are interventions in labor decided?)
• Birth and baby care (Will your place of birth facilitate skin-to-skin with baby? Do you want to delay cord clamping?)
• Cesarean (Can the drape be lowered, will you have a hand free, can you do skin-to-skin in the operating room with baby?)

Again, this is not an exhaustive list, but all my clients are taken through a questionnaire to help them plan out their ideal birth.  I then compile their wishes into a one-page printout that they can edit and then go over with their provider.  That plan is also given to the nursing staff once my client arrives to their place of birth.  It's really wonderful to see how so many moms that I serve be asked  if they have a birth plan and then see those wishes respectfully carried out by nursing staff because they were clear about them from the beginning.  This is ideal.

Having said that, we know not everything always goes according to plan, but having it in writing absolutely gives the provider and nurses a very solid idea of what you do and don't want.  Things like, "Please do not ask me if I want pain medication" take the guesswork out of a situation where mom may be struggling through labor.  The nurses know she will ask for help when or if she reaches that point.   


~Happi

Note:  I provide birth planning sessions and private, in-home childbirth education classes.  Contact me if you are interested in learning more about your options.  This can be a scary time full of many unknowns.  I'm glad to answer all of your questions!
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The driving force behind my choosing doula work as a profession was my own personal experience.  As I have processed the births of my three children, which have all been totally different and unique, I recognize now, more than ever, how important it is for a woman to feel positively about her birth.  While I cannot promise specific outcomes for birth clients, I can definitely help set them up for success to the best of my ability with the knowledge and skill set I have. 
If you are pregnant and have specific goals and objectives that you'd like to accomplish in your birth, I  believe there are 5 important things that you may want to consider as you plan for your birth experience.   I truly believe that doing these things will make the biggest impact on your birth outcome.

1.  Carefully choose your provider.
It is incredibly important that the provider you choose has respect and understanding for the way you want to birth and is supportive of the various aspects of your birth plan (assuming you have a general understanding of what you want it to look like).  Take time to research different obstetricians and midwives early in your pregnancy, ask friends who they have used and why, and ask any birth workers you may know already (such as doulas, childbirth educators, labor and delivery nurses etc.) what to look for based upon your wishes for your birth.  If you do not feel that your current provider is supportive of the way in which you want to birth, it is okay to consider switching providers, assuming there is enough time left in your pregnancy to be accepted by the practice.  Ideally, it is best to have done your research early in your pregnancy so that you aren't scrambling at the last minute because you are feeling that your current provider isn't a good fit for you. 

2.  Hire a doula.  
​One of the most important things you can do to accomplish your goals for your birth is to hire a labor doula.  Over and over again, women who have had a positive birth experience share that it was in part because they had a doula.  It's not that we, as doulas, can guarantee specific outcomes because every birth is different and unique.  What we can do, however, is guarantee that you have amazing, consistent support.  I personally work very hard to contribute value as part of the birthing woman's team, serving her alongside her partner, provider, nurses, and anyone else she may choose to have with her. A good doula knows how to support her client through emotional support (labor is hard work, so compassion and encouragement through the process is key!),  informational support (help being able to understand and dissect information as it's given to you), and physical support (hands-on comfort measures, positional changes, utilizing birth tools available, etc).  

3.  Educate yourself!
The saying, "knowledge is power" has great application when it comes to birth.  The more you know, the better prepared you are.  Truly, nothing can prepare you for the experience that is birth.  It is like nothing else you have been through, and probably like nothing else that you will go through in the future.  The beautiful thing about birth is that the discomfort you feel has purpose.  It is a necessary means to an end...the moment you finally get to hold your baby in your arms!  Often, however, women in our culture fear birth because they don't know how or if they will be able to manage the pain.  It may be that they had a prior traumatic birth experience, or perhaps someone close to them did and they are scared the same might happen to them.  There can be many reasons they are fearful.  Because of this, I encourage clients to arm themselves with information, and I often recommend great books to my clients that will encourage them in their journey of labor.  Not only do they help educate but they also encourage and inspire.  "Your body was made to do this," I often tell clients.  "Trust it.  It knows what to do."  As you read, learn, and arm yourself with knowledge, you'll find that these words are true!

4.  Take Childbirth Education Classes.
This falls under the above category of educating yourself, as nothing can prepare you fully for the birth experience.  It really needs its own category, though, because the classes you take should fall in line with your goals for your birth. Childbirth education classes can be very helpful for understanding the process of labor and birth and should present you with specific options to consider as you formulate your birth plan.  There are so many choices out there for your consideration.  I encourage you to again do your research and then pick the one that seems to be the best match for you and your goals for your birth (as well one that will best serve your partner!).  

5.  Formulate a birth plan.
Creating a birth plan is something I do with my clients as part of my service to them, but if a doula isn't an option for you, then there are several great websites and templates you can utilize.  Your birth plan should be very specific.  It should be kept concise and limited to one page, as nurses and doctors don't have time to read pages and pages once you are admitted to your place of birth.  Ideally, it is helpful if it can be presented to your provider at least one month before your estimated due date so that they can review it.  In my experience, I have found that most doctors and nurses are very happy to see a birth plan and spend time going over it with you.  

I truly hope that these five suggestions are helpful to you as you plan for the birth of your baby.  It is my desire that all women be armed with support, knowledge and information that results in a positive birth experience.  

Thanks for reading!

Happi 
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