As you begin to think about your upcoming labor and delivery, you should begin to think about writing a birth plan. I’m not talking about an adoption involved birth plan here, but a regular birth plan any expectant mother would use whether she is considering adoption for her baby or not.

You can begin writing a birth plan at any point in your pregnancy. It’s a good idea to have your birth plan completed at least by your 34th week of pregnancy. Your birth plan is basically just an outline of your wishes and desires for your labor and delivery and hospital stay. It can be as detailed or un-detailed as you want.

It’s a good idea to get your doctors input, suggestions, and medical advice on some aspects of your birth plan.

Your birth plan can contain some or all of the following:

• When you will go to the hospital or birthing location



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• Whether or not you wish to use pain medications. This could be as specified as a list of acceptable pain meds.



• Whether or not you wish to have an epidural



• What the role of the coach or support person will be and who that person is



• Who you want to cut the cord



• Names of people who will be allowed in your room during labor



• What kind of testing you will allow



• Under what circumstances you will allow an episiotomy



• Types of procedures you will allow to further or quicken your labor, such as pitocin to help your contractions move along



• Type of labor techniques you will be using such as Bradley method.

Keep in mind that this is just a “plan” or a guide if you will. Unexpected things may pop up and you may have to deviate from your written plan.
Changes may be necessary to ensure the health of yourself and your baby.

Check out what others have included in their own birth plans or create your own birth plan.