Birth Plan Examples for Natural Birth

Birth Plan Examples for Natural Birth

A birth plan is a written document summarizing your wishes for your birth experience. Creating your plan will give you a chance to prepare in advance for questions that may come up during your labor and delivery. Once you have a finished, printed document, then you can share and discuss it with your care team, birth partners, or any family members involved in your birth.

Three Types of Birth Plans

I wrote three different birth plans for my labor and delivery.

The first plan was a two-page document to give to my midwife team and my birth partner. Page one discussed who I wanted in the room and my different hopes and wishes for my labor. Page two was a list of contact phone numbers. I gave the plan to my midwife team well before my birth. We discussed it during one of my regularly scheduled appointments and they saved it in my file.

The second plan that I wrote was a short, one-page emergency plan. This was meant to be handed to the nursing team in the event that we needed to go to the hospital for an emergency. My emergency plan was concise, with only a short list of my highest priority items.

The third plan I wrote was just for myself and my birth partner. It was a long document that I filled with all the stuff I’d learned that I could use during my labor. Birthing positions, breathing exercises, inspirational words, and whatever else I wanted to remember for the birth.

Tips for Writing a Birth Plan

  • Keep it short – Care staff team members generally don’t want to read a ten page document and won’t be able to retain that much information. Summarize into one page if possible.
  • Put the most important points to YOU at the top of the document.
  • Talk about your birth plan out loud with your care team ahead of time.
  • Print out your plans and put them in your birth bag, with extra copies to give out if needed.
  • Be prepared to throw your birth plan out the window. Don’t get over attached to your plans if things progress in another way. Birth is unpredictable and that is okay!
  • Make sure to review and clear your birth plan with your primary care provider, and revise it to fit your specific needs and situation.

Example Natural Birth Plan

Birth plan example

Example Emergency Birth Plan

Emergency birth plan example

Writing a Birth Plan is Valuable

Spending time writing a birth plan is a worthwhile activity that will have huge benefits when it comes to the actual day of your labor and delivery. Remember to keep it short and take time to revise it after discussing it with your care team. Print out copies to have on hand for the big day. And above all, as we say in yoga class, don’t get too attached! Birth is unpredictable and can’t be controlled. Attachment is the root cause of so much suffering in our lives. All these thoughts aside, I loved my birth plan! Birth plans allow you to think through things in advance and facilitates communication ahead of the big day.

 



Yoga for Birth Paperback Book Cover

HealthyYogaMom is written by Tess, a writer and mother of two who is passionate about health, happiness, and a sustainable living on the planet. Learn more about Tess here.


Healthy First Birthday Cake Ideas

Healthy First Birthday Cake Ideas

Cake with One CandleA baby’s first birthday is a milestone worth celebrating. Giving them a special smash cake all their own is a fun and celebratory way to mark the occasion. But health-conscious parents may not want to introduce sugar, eggs, chocolate, or other ingredients to children at this age. In my opinion what we provide for them now in life is what they will later crave and look to for comfort. If we give them sweet potatoes and chicken, they will find that delicious, satisfying, and normal. If we give them fast food, their norm will adjust accordingly. Beyond philosophical reasons, many children at this age have not yet been introduced to eggs, and a special first birthday party is probably not the time to do it. Parents may also want to steer clear of chocolate because it contains caffeine.

Luckily there are many delicious and healthy options to make sure your special child gets a memorable first birthday cake. Here is a list of ideas to please every palate.

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Five Great Children’s Books

Five Great Children’s Books

We love books at our house. We have two tall bookshelves overflowing with novels, a wide shelf with children’s books stuffed in at every angle, books stashed in drawers and under beds, and piles of books towering precociously on coffee and end tables. And yet, when I get the question “what books do you like,” I never seem to have the right answer. Well, today I have an answer! Here are five great children’s books that seem to stay at the top of the pile and make their way into our hands whenever it’s time for my children and I to sit in our big arm chair, cuddle up, and read a good story.

Marguerite Book Cover

1. Marguerite Makes a Book

(by Bruce Robertson)

Fitting of our obsession with books, this book is about making books. It follows a girl in the 1400’s who wants nothing more then to help her father finish the artwork for the handmade book he is making for his patron. It’s an inspiring story of a young girl taking on a challenge and using craftsmanship to prove her talent, while offering historical perspective on how books used to be made. You can read more about the book here.

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How to Cloth Diaper

How to Cloth Diaper

Finished Cloth DiaperCloth diapering shouldn’t be complicated. Unfortunately there are so many different styles, folds, and covers it can feel a bit overwhelming.

I’ve put together a quick primer, followed by the solution I used for both my children.

 

 

 

Cloth Diaper Styles

There are various styles of diapers, and if you want to get nitpicky you can read all about them online. (Here is one article on styles of cloth diapers with a pro/con list).  I highly recommend choosing your top five diapers and ordering one of each, then testing them out beforehand. It’s difficult to find brick and mortar stores that have all the styles on hand, and you’ll thank yourself later before you drop a big investment into a large order of them. I describe the top two styles in my book below.

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Best Pregnancy Midnight Snacks

Best Pregnancy Midnight Snacks

Green appleWe’ve all experienced a midnight rumbling in our bellies at one time or another, but pregnancy takes it to a whole new level. Eight to twelve hours is a long time to go without food and your body and baby may crave nourishment. Waking nightly from a restful slumber is a call you can answer with healthy, filling snacks.

Focus on nutrient-dense foods to quench your cravings and satisfy your growing baby’s appetite. Avoid quick-burn sugary foods and try including something with protein instead. Prepare snacks the day before and have them ready to grab to minimize awake time.

Midnight snack list

  • Peanut butter on warm toast
  • Mini-bagels and cream cheese
  • Turkey sandwich
  • Carrots dipped in almond butter
  • A boiled egg
  • Plain yogurt with a teaspoon of honey (skip sugary yogurt brands)
  • Cottage cheese and peaches
  • Crackers and hummus



HealthyYogaMom is written by Tess, a writer and mother of two who is passionate about health, happiness, and a sustainable living on the planet. Learn more about Tess here.