There are many decisions you must make about your baby’s birth. But you must be flexible, as births are unpredictable and don't always go as you plan. Take time during your pregnancy to learn about your options and discuss with your healthcare provider what is best for you and your baby.

A birth plan

A birth plan is a guide for how you would like your labor and delivery to proceed. The word “guide” is key. Since you can never know exactly how the process will go, you need to accept the possibility of changes once labor has started.

What is most important about a birth plan is that it encourages you to consider your options, discuss them with your partner and healthcare provider, and make your preferences known to your healthcare team. Many of the options that you may consider are described in this article.

Where to have your baby

The three main options for where to have your baby are:

• At a hospital
• In a birthing center
• At home

Most hospitals offer special accommodations for expectant mothers. These may include a birthing room, which allows a woman to be in the same room before, during, and after her delivery. There are also private rooms with space for family members to sleep. Tour your hospital’s maternity ward to see what services are offered.

Birthing centers are designed to provide a more home-like setting, but with the technology of a hospital within reach. Such centers may be attached to a hospital or be separate entities. A birthing center is appropriate for a healthy woman with a healthy (i.e. low-risk) pregnancy.

Home may be the most comfortable and natural place to give birth. However, because birth can be unpredictable, most physicians do not recommend home births. If you decide to have a home birth, you should have a plan for reaching medical care quickly if the need arises.

Who will assist in your baby’s birth

An obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) is the most common choice to deliver your baby. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, your doctor may refer you to a perinatologist, which is an obstetrician who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. In some areas, family practitioners receive special training in obstetrics and may also deliver babies. This is more common in rural areas or where there are few OB/GYNs.

A midwife (in many areas, nurse-midwife) is trained and licensed to take care of healthy women who are expected to have an uncomplicated labor and delivery. Midwives have a backup physician who is available for consultation or to step in if complications arise during delivery.

Be prepared

Although no one can predict exactly how your delivery will go, you can educate yourself and be prepared for most situations. Read as much as you can and talk with your doctor or midwife and your partner. Also, take the time to outline your preferences before labor starts.

At the same time, remember that this is a natural process, and as much as you can prepare, you also have to be prepared for last-minute changes.

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