I’ve given birth quite a few times. Each birth experience has been vastly different than the birth before it. I can say with certainty that each birth has gotten better and easier over the years. This is largely due to the fact that I was able to better communicate with my healthcare providers what I did and did not want to happen during my birth.
With that said, the number one goal during all of my birth’s is to get my baby safely out into the world.
My best birth experience was when we had our youngest son last year at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer. The doctors and nurses were incredibly attentive to my needs, and kept our lines of communication open. I also made a birth plan before going into labor so it helped to keep us all on the same page.
As a mom who has been through labor and delivery a few times, I’m going to share with you some important things to consider when writing your birth plan:
If you are having a baby soon, I recommend writing your birth plan before you go into labor. This will ensure that your mind is clear, and you aren’t choosing your preferences last minute while in labor. This allows for peace of mind knowing your wishes have been communicated.
A birth plan isn’t a list of demands for your healthcare providers. It is a list of preferences or wishes for your birth. It gives you the ability to pick your preferences for your childbirth experience. Your nurses and physicians will follow the plan as long as safety or unexpected conditions allow. Remember, every birth is different!
Things to Consider when Writing Your Birth Plan
Take into consideration the entire birth experience, including: labor, delivery, postpartum and newborn care, and any other requests you may have. With that said, keep your birth plan short and sweet. A 2 – 3 page birth plan won’t really be effective.
Do you want an epidural? Do you want to be able to walk the halls? Sit on a birthing ball? Use a peanut ball during labor? Do you want skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth? Delayed cord clamping? Would you like your partner to cut the umbilical cord? Do you plan to breastfeed? These are some of the things to consider when planning for your birth.
Winnie Palmer Orlando Health has made it super easy to create your birth plan with their birth plan worksheet. You can download this template from their website or access the birth plan worksheet on their Hello Baby app.
Having a baby is one of the most amazing things in the world. I love how Winnie Palmer has simplified the birth planning process for expectant moms. In my experience, having a baby at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital, and using their birth plan worksheet (click here to download in English or Spanish) resulted in my best birth experience ever.
All photos in this post are by Strictly Bella Photography.