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Labor Strategies
5 Ways to Make Labor Easier
By Melinda Copp
, a birth plan is a document created by the mom-to-be communicating her desires during labor and delivery. It's a simple and non-confrontational way for you to make your preferences for your pregnancy and birth clear to everyone who will be with you on the big day. There are so many choices to make and things to consider – from whether or not you want to have anesthesia to how long you want to stay after the birth – that making your voice heard is important.
A birth plan should state everything that is important to you, such as who you want to deliver and who you want to be present for support. It explains what procedures you do and don't want, what activities you want to do during labor and how you want your delivery to progress.
Many women and their support people find it difficult to make decisions and voice their concerns once labor starts. If you're worried about what is going to happen during your labor and delivery, a birth plan is an excellent way to make sure you are in control.
The baby's father is usually the first choice for support, but you want to make sure that whomever you choose has your needs in mind. "Choose family or friends who can be encouraging, be supportive, run errands, get you ice chips or whatever you need," says Nancy Belin, a certified nurse midwife at the Midwife Group of Coastal Georgia. Ideally, thesupport person can attend your birthing classes with you and can also act as your advocate in the delivery room.
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