Creating a Birth Plan

PregnancyBirth

Apr 21

Creating Your Birth Plan: A Guide from Baby Bug

Planning for birth can feel a little like packing for a trip to a place you’ve never been before—exciting, emotional, and maybe a bit overwhelming. That’s why creating a birth plan can be such a powerful tool. It’s not about scripting every detail of your experience—it’s about thinking through your preferences, learning your options, and feeling more confident in your choices.

At Baby Bug, I walk alongside you to help create a plan that reflects your values, hopes, and needs—not just for the moment of birth, but for the days that follow. Here’s how to start building a birth plan that supports you from labour to postpartum.

1. Start With What Matters Most

Your birth plan is your space to reflect on what matters most to you. Ask yourself:

• What kind of environment do I want to labour in?

• How do I want to feel during labour and birth?

• What helps me feel safe, calm, and supported?

Whether you’re hoping for a calm, low-intervention birth, or planning a scheduled C-section, the goal is to identify your preferences—not just for medical decisions, but for your emotional and physical well-being too.

At Baby Bug, I help you sort through your thoughts and create a plan that feels both intentional and flexible—because birth is unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared.

2. Know Your Options (and That You Have Them)

There are so many decisions to consider, from pain management to newborn care. Common topics to include in your birth plan:

• Labour preferences: movement, water use, TENS machine, positions

• Pain relief: unmedicated techniques, nitrous oxide, epidural

• Support: who you want in the room, role of your doula or partner

• Interventions: how you feel about induction, fetal monitoring, assisted birth

• Delivery: pushing positions, delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin

• Post-birth care: feeding preferences, newborn procedures, vitamin K, eye ointment

Don’t worry if you don’t know all the answers. That’s what I’m here for—Baby Bug provides you with up-to-date, evidence-based information so you can make informed decisions that feel right for you.

3. Plan for the Postpartum Too

Often, birth plans stop after the baby is born—but the postpartum period is just as important. Consider creating a postpartum plan that addresses:

• Feeding support: What kind of help might you need?

• Rest & recovery: Who will be your support system at home?

• Mental health: What signs should your partner or support person watch for?

• Visitors: What are your boundaries or expectations?

• Household needs: Do you have meals prepped? Help arranged?

At Baby Bug, we talk through these things in advance, so you’re not left figuring it all out when you’re tired, emotional, and adjusting to your new normal.

4. Keep It Simple and Share It

Once your plan is complete, keep it short and easy to read—ideally one or two pages. Your care providers will appreciate a clear, organized summary of your preferences. You can even bring extra copies for your birthing team.

And remember, your birth plan isn’t a contract—it’s a conversation starter. The real power is in the process of learning, choosing, and feeling prepared.

5. How Baby Bug Can Help

As a birth and postpartum doula, I work with you to create a plan that feels authentic, empowering, and grounded in your values. I offer:

• 1:1 birth plan consultations

• Customizable birth and postpartum templates

• Full birth support packages

• Postpartum support visits

• Infant massage instruction to help ease the transition at home

Together, we’ll build a plan that gives you confidence walking into your birth and clarity for the days that follow.

Let’s Create a Plan That Feels Like You

Your journey is unique—and so is your vision for birth. At Baby Bug, I’m here to support you every step of the way with warmth, knowledge, and care.