Benefits of Creating a Birth Plan with a Doula & Childbirth Educator

A Birth Plan is a plan for how you would like your birth to look.

It includes:

• what kind of birth you plan on having

• who you want there with you

• key things that are important to you (music, low lights, minimal or no cervical checks, type of monitoring, use of the tub/shower)

• key things you want to avoid as much as possible

• any health notes that would be important for hospital staff if you are having a hospital birth

• and more choices for various labor and postpartum interventions for both you and baby. 

You’ve probably seen templates online and maybe you’ve even filled out your birth plan already. But if you haven’t created one yet or you filled out your birth plan alone or with only the help of Google, I would greatly encourage you to go over your birth plan again with me (doula, prenatal movement instructor, and pregnancy / postpartum nutrition coach).

What Will We Do In A Birth Plan Creation Session?

We’ll go over risks & benefits to labor interventions, so you understand all possible options. I’ll answer your (and your partner’s) questions, I’ll give you statistics in a way that is NOT based on creating fear but simply on giving you the facts. I can provide oodles of resources so you can continue your learning beyond our meeting. 

Part of what we’ll do is uncover your ‘whys’ behind your preferences so you feel even more confident about these choices and ultimately able to advocate for them better. Making your plan ahead of time means decisions are made from a calm and informed place prior to being in the throes of labor.

Getting your partner or primary support person’s thoughts on various preferences can be really eye opening. You may think you are surely on the same page about everything, but you may be surprised. Partners (whomever that is) probably have their own fears, questions, or ideas about birth. Digging into all this together BEFORE birth will further unite the two of you, reduce fear, and build confidence in both of you.

When you get to the hospital, your birth plan should be given to the nurses pretty much first thing along with you / your partner communicating your desires verbally. It’s an easy & clear communication tool with healthcare providers and something that can be referenced if anyone has questions.

I believe a Birth Plan should also include how you & your partner will prepare in pregnancy for birth. It’s great to think ahead to labor and how you want that to look and planning for postpartum and the nursery. 

Start with a free consultation to meet me, learn more about my services, and book.

But what can you do TODAY to get your body and mind ready for labor and birth?

With this in mind we’ll set goals throughout pregnancy for prenatal exercise and beneficial prenatal movements. This is, I think, very important for feeling good physically throughout pregnancy, experiencing a smooth labor, and having an easier recovery postpartum (no matter what kind of birth you end up having). 

I also want to help you create a plan for practicing laboring positions with your partner. The last thing I want for you is that your first time trying out different laboring positions or comfort measures is when you are already in labor. Doing different moves with your partner in pregnancy can help you feel closer, help you figure out what feels good and what doesn’t, and give you new ideas for positions and when in labor they may be best used.

We will also practice breathing and visualization techniques to help keep you calm through all parts of labor. Labor is intense and getting into a rhythm to control your fear and tension through breathing can really help you stay steady through the peaks of contractions. 

Start with a free consultation to meet me, learn more about my services, and book.

I offer two levels of Doula Support Services (which both include birth plan creation). I also offer Private Prenatal Movement & Birth Prep Sessions. If you are interested in support only for birth plan creation and movement preparation, contact me (chelseyvmunnik@gmail.com) and we can work out a program for you. 

Serving Jefferson County NY and parts of Lewis & St. Lawrence Counties. Watertown, Carthage, Lowville, Fort Drum,

& the Thousand Islands area.