Google “birth plan” and you’ll come up with about a thousand unique templates and opinion articles on their necessity or lack thereof. When I discuss writing a birth plan with my clients, I begin by encouraging my clients to think about their five senses. I ask them what they would like to hear, see, touch, taste, and smell during labor. Starting the conversation in such a concrete way allows women and their partners to feel grounded in their expectations and ideas.
If you’re working on your plan, consider your feelings on incorporating the following into your birth:
Sound
music
low voices
laughter, jokes
nature sounds
your older children’s voices
other family members’ voices
Sight
photos of loved ones, nature scenes, other meaningful images
soothing colors
familiar movies or tv shows
sporting events that both you and your partner care about
Touch
fabrics and textures you find comforting
blankets and pillows from home
hydrotherapy (laboring in the tub or shower)
massage
acupressure
movement: yoga, dance, walking
light sexual contact with your partner
clothing in which you feel comfortable
chapstick, skin hydration
Taste
eating nourishing foods during labor
staying hydrated
cooking and baking during early labor
Smell
essential oils, using a diffuser
a clothing item of your partner’s or older child’s
cooking and baking scents that bring you joy and comfort
Do you have an idea to add to this list? Contact me or comment below!