What needs to be included in the birth plan?

Although you may have in your mind how you want your baby’s birth to be, your choices may not be shared effectively with your health care team if you don’t have a birth plan.

Some questions you may answer in your birth plan include:

These are just a few items that can be included in your birth plan.

After the baby is born, how do you indicate your preferences?

A birth plan does not end with the delivery of your new baby. The care team will want to know how you want your baby to be cared for in the hospital. For example, explain who will cut the umbilical cord, change the baby’s first diaper and give the baby his or her first bath.

In addition, the birth plan can indicate how you wish to feed your baby. Identifying breast milk or formula as a nutritional preference is an important item for your birth plan. Religious or cultural preferences should be included in your plan, as well.

Your birth plan should be tailored to meet your personal wishes. Keep in mind, your health care team may need to depart from the plan to ensure the safest possible delivery.

The goal during delivery is to have a healthy mom and a healthy baby. Your birth plan can help communicate your preferences to the care team during one of the most exciting times of your life. — Jana Brand, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic Health System, Red Wing, Minnesota

(Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org.)

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