Preparing for Labor - Creating a Birth Plan
- Feb 20
- 8 min read
To the Point
1. Lamaze/ Birthing Classes: Knowledge & Skills
Education: Understand the physiology of labor, birth, and potential complications.
Techniques: Learn laboring and birthing positions that manage pain, increase control, and help baby descend.
Mental Prep: Gain confidence and get direct answers from healthcare professionals.
Accessibility: If cost is a barrier, utilize reputable online resources (e.g., Mayo Clinic).
2. The Birth Plan: Tangible Preferences
A birth plan communicates your needs and ensures everyone is on the same page. Key elements include:
Pain Management: List preferences for movement (labor balls, walking), hydrotherapy (warm tubs), and medical options (Nitrous, Epidural, or opiates).
The Environment: Identify who will be in the room. Privacy and a sense of safety are vital, as stress can physically delay labor.
Logistics: Determine hospital arrival timing (factoring in distance).
Contingencies: Discuss "what if" scenarios (e.g., C-sections or meconium) and establish medical priorities early.
Lets Talk
The thought of labor can be daunting. Thinking about the upcoming day can fill one with stress, anxiety, and feelings of uncertainty. While some things are beyond your control, there are certain things within your control. Planning is one of those things. It is no secret that being prepared for any event can help inspire confidence and lessen overall stress. Labor is no different. The more you mentally prepare yourself and plan, the more likely you are to remain level headed when you are needed the most. Keep in mind that everyone is different. There is no one right answer. But walking into labor with as much preparation as you can, that fits both parent’s needs, may help your and the mother of your child substantially through the birthing process.
This article is here to jump start your planning and thought processes. It is not meant to be all encompassing. Rather, this article is meant to be a starting point and provide some framework and tips that may help your family feel a little more in control of the birth.
Education
The first step in creating a birth plan is to simply know what your options and what you should be looking for. While this article serves as a high level summary of some options, it may not cover everything. Additionally, there is only so much information that can be taken away from reading. If you are like me, you may be more of a visual or hands on learner. This is where Birthing classes truly shine. There are online, and in person classes that can be taken. These Birthing classes teach you a variety of topics which you should consider in your Birth Plan. They educate you on the birth process, which can be helpful for understand what you are looking for in labor and what might help. Some things that Birthing classes near you might offer:
Education on birthing process
General physiology of labor and birth (i.e. what is happening with the mother and what is happening with the baby)
Active labor vs Latent labor (or early labor)
How the baby should be positioned in womb in the weeks leading up to labor and ways to help baby move into the desired position
How to perform laboring & birthing positions
Why and how different positions help
Provide opportunity to ask questions from a healthcare professional
Provides an opportunity for the mother to mentally prepare
This is important. Birth is more than physical for the mothers. Its also heavily mentally taxing. Preparation is key.
Birthing classes are a great way to get a crash course in labor and receive hands on experience, particularly with labor position practice. However, most classes do require some sort of monetary fee. If money is heavy on your mind, fear not. There are plenty of online resources and videos for you and the mother to review. I will add some resources that I find to the “Resources” section at the end of this article. The resources section may not contain everything you need to know, but should give you at least a jump start on your research. Once you find resource that help, be sure to practice birthing positions together.
Pick a Provider
One of the first things you should do when planning for labor is make sure you have a provider. I recommend starting the process as early as when you are trying for a baby. Starting your search early allows for time to assess options and pick the right provider. Picking a provider can be quite a process. You need to pick one which aligns with your values, takes your insurance or preferred payment method, and is passionately focused on the overall health of the mother and baby. Whether it’s an at-home Midwife, or a birthing center, it is important that you have several options to consider and rank your favorites. That way, if your number one provider choice ends up not being a viable candidate, you are not left scrambling to find another.
Create a Birth Plan
The next, and one of the most important (in my opinion) items to think about when preparing for labor is your birthing plan. Simply put, a birthing plan is a written list which outlines the wants and needs of the mother and yourself during the labor and birthing process. A birthing plan is an effective way of being able to communicate with your provider on the needs of your family. Once you have created a birthing plan, it is important to talk it over with your healthcare provider (OBGYN, Midwife, Nurses, etc…). Some of your wishes may not be allowed at your planned birthing solution due to their policies. It is important to find out if your choice birthing solution can accommodate you wishes. On the day which the mother goes into labor, bring your birthing plan with you.
Things to Consider for your Birthing Plan
Your birthing plan should be as clear and concise as possible, while covering all of the key aspects of labor and birth. Below are some important topics to consider for your plan,
Laboring positions: Not everything is like the movies. Often times we see mothers on their backs with legs spread, straining to push. This is called the Lithotomy position (sometimes also referred to as Supine). While this position does have its uses, it may not be the best to suit the needs for the mother. There are many different positions to labor in which can help. Each position having its own use. Knowing different positions for laboring and birthing can help manage pain, reduce anxiety/stress, give a feeling of control, and potentially help baby move into the correct position for birth. Likely, if its needed, the provider will recommend positions to help move the baby into a better birthing position.
See "Laboring Position", by Mayo Clinic Staff or "Explore Your Options: Labor and Birthing Positions To Consider" published by the Cleveland Clinic for overviews of different laboring and birth positions and what their uses are.
Pain Management: It is important to consider what types of pain management are available to you, so that the mother can make a decision on her list of priorities for pain management and what she is willing to do. The below list is not comprehensive and your provider may or may not use these techniques. It is important to talk with them prior to labor to see what options they have available.
Non-medicinal options
Birthing Ball (Birthing Ball “Peanut” is a popular option as well)
Walking
Changing Laboring Positions
Cold Compress on Head
Warm Water Tub
Back Massage
Handheld personal battery-operated fan (if facility allows)
Lower Stress
Do NOT underestimate the power of lowering stress and anxiety
Medicinal options
Nitrous Oxide
Opiates
Spinal Block
Not always offered
Epidural
You may be surprised how well this can work to bring down pain and lower stress
If you would like to know more about these methods and what they are used for see Labor and delivery: Pain medications by the Mayo Clinic Staff
Who Will Be in the Room?: It's essential that the mother feels safe and supported during labor. The people in your room should be those who can help the mother relax and feel secure. Having the wrong people present can cause unnecessary stress, which can sometimes delay labor. Be specific about who you want in the room—and who you don't. This can also include preferences for privacy, such as a "Do Not Disturb" approach, to help you focus on your body and your baby. See “Do Not Disturb” – Written By Judith A Lothian which goes into more detail about the importance of feeling safe during labor.
Contingencies and Priorities: Sometimes, things don't go according to plan. Your birthing plan should address potential changes and outline your priorities. For example, if you're hoping for an unmedicated birth but end up needing an epidural, knowing that you're okay with that possibility ahead of time can relieve stress and manage expectations. You might also need to mentally prepare for the possibility of a cesarean section if complications arise. Complications such as a meconium infection, breach baby (butt down), stuck baby, fetal or maternal distress, as well as other factors. Know your priorities may help you shift from the ideal birth, to the health and safety of the mother and baby. I highly recommend the exploration of the reader into the various causes of Cesarean Sections and their causes. An study that I found helpful was “The Rising Global Cesarean Section Rates and Their Impact on Maternal and Child Health: A Scoping Review”-Written by Thomaidi S, Sarantaki A, Tzitiridou Chatzopoulou M, Orovou E, Jotautis V, & Papoutsis D. But there are many other studies available which capture all perspectives of Cesarean Section causes and probabilities.
Prioritizing Your Choices: You can use your birthing plan to list your priorities in order. This helps your care team understand what's most important to you if they need to make quick decisions. For example, you might prioritize a certain birthing position over a specific pain management option, or vice versa. Prioritizing may also help decisions to be made quickly based on the situation, thus enabling the care team to react as needed.
Timing Is Everything: Talk to Your Doctor
The time to discuss your birthing plan is before you go into labor. Schedule a conversation with your provider to go over your preferences. Some hospitals or birthing centers have policies that may not align with your plan, and you don't want to find that out when you're in active labor.
This conversation with the provider is also a great opportunity to ask questions, learn about the different options available, and set realistic expectations. While it's great to have a plan, it's also important to be flexible. Labor is a dynamic process, and the best-laid plans can change. Approaching your birthing plan with an open mind will help you feel more prepared and less stressed if things take a different turn.
Resources
These resource links are provided for your convenience. I am not associated with any of these linked site/companies/programs, nor am I responsible for any information that they may contain.
Sources
Lothian JA. Do not disturb: The Importance of Privacy in Labor. J Perinat Educ. 2004 Summer;13(3):4-6. doi: 10.1624/105812404X1707. PMID: 17273393; PMCID: PMC1595201.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, July 28). Labor positions. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/labor/art-20546804
Cleveland Clinic. (2025, June 17). Labor and birthing positions to try. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/labor-positions
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2025, March 11). Labor and delivery: Pain medications. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/labor-and-delivery/art-20049326
Thomaidi S, Sarantaki A, Tzitiridou Chatzopoulou M, Orovou E, Jotautis V, Papoutsis D. The Rising Global Cesarean Section Rates and Their Impact on Maternal and Child Health: A Scoping Review. J Clin Med. 2025 Nov 15;14(22):8102. doi: 10.3390/jcm14228102. PMID: 41303138; PMCID: PMC12653877.
Comments