Your Ideal Childbirth

Birth Planning Exercise

This exercise will help you sort out your thoughts and wishes about childbirth. Imagine you are laboring, and having your ideal childbirth. Everything works out exactly how you want it. Answer the following questions for your imaginary ideal childbirth. The answers should be about YOUR ideal birth, not what you think others expect of you, or what a partner or caregiver wants for your birth.

Part One

There are some things about childbirth you will have no control over, you simply have to deal with the circumstances surrounding you when labor begins. But for the purpose of this exercise, think of your ideal chilbirth, how would it happen?

1. When does labor begin?
2. How does labor begin?
3. Where are you when labor begins?
4. Who is with you when labor begins?
5. How strong are the contractions?
6. How quickly does the labor progress?
7. When do you go to your birth place?
8. How long do you push?
9. How long does labor last?
10. What do you do after your baby is born?

Part Two

There are some things about childbirth you may have a choice about, depending on the circumstances of your birth. Although you do still have to deal with the circumstances surrounding you when labor begins, you may have control over what happens. For the purpose of this exercise, think of your ideal childbirth, how would it happen?

1. Who is your primary caregiver?
2. Where do you labor?
3. Where do you give birth?
4. What is available to you at your birth place?
5. Who is with you for emotional support?
6. What do you use to manage pain?
7. What procedures happen?
8. What procedures do not happen?
9. What techniques do you use to avoid the procedures that do not happen?
10. What happens after your baby is born?

Part Three

Now that you have worked through your ideal childbirth, finish the following statements based on your responses.

1. My top three priorities for childbirth are:
2. My ideal birthplace is:
3. My ideal caregiver is:
4. In childbirth, I want access to:
5. In childbirth, I want emotional support from:
6. My first choices for ways to handle childbirth pain are:
7. Other things that are important to me are:

Part Four

You should have a pretty good idea now of what you will write for your birth plan. A Birth Plan is not a script, it does not guarantee anything will or will not happen during childbirth. Some experts recommend calling it a list of birth preferences rather than a birth plan because its main purpose is to present your preferences to caregivers.

Think of it as your calling card. If you are giving birth in a hospital, the nurses who care for you will be strangers to you, and may not have the time to discuss your priorities for childbirth. Having a signed birth plan introduces you, your coaches and other support people to these caregivers. It also allows them a chance to learn how you would like them to help you.

When writing your birth plan, report your preferences in the order of importance. If the most important thing to you is the atmosphere, state that first. If your top priority is to avoid the use of medication, state that first. Even if your first priority is to simply avoid a caesarean, state that first. It is helpful for your caregivers to know what you consider to be the most important so they can help you achieve it. In some instances, it may be necessary for you to go against your wishes on low priority items to ensure you achieve your high priority items. Some situations will warrant your caregiver suggesting changes to your birth plan. If your caregivers do not know what your high priorities are, they are more limited in helping you achieve them.

Review the sample birth plans included, and use your ideal birth answers to create a birth plan that fits your priorities and your situation.

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You May Also Be Interested In: What changes are being assessed during a cervical exam. The Natural Childbirth Directory can help you find more information about birth and locate childbirth professionals. The Coach's Notebook helps you learn tools and techniques to manage labor. Find out how exercise and nutrition can help you achieve your birth plan goals.

© Copyright 2000-2008 Jennifer VanderLaan and Birthing Naturally

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