In early pregnancy, you're probably thinking of baby names and shopping for baby clothes. The reality of labor and birth may seem far off — but now's the time to start planning for your baby by creating a birth plan that details your wishes.
What's a Birth Plan?
The term birth plan can be misleading — it's less an exact plan than a list of preferences. In fact, the goal of a birth plan isn't for you and your partner to decide exactly how the birth of your child will happen — labor involves so many variables, you can't predict exactly what will happen. A birth plan does, though, help you to realize what's most important to you in the birth of your baby.
While completing a birth plan, you'll be learning about, exploring, and understanding your labor and birthing options well before the birth of your child. This can also improve your communication with the people who'll be helping during your delivery.
A birth plan isn't a binding agreement — it's just a guideline. Your doctor or health care provider may know, from having seen you throughout the pregnancy, what you do and don't want. But, if you go into labor when there's an on-call doctor who you don't know well, a well thought-out birth plan can help you communicate your goals and wishes to the people helping you with the labor and delivery.
What Questions Does a Birth Plan Answer?
A birth plan usually covers three major areas:
1. What are your wishes during a normal labor and delivery?
These range from how you hope to handle pain relief to fetal monitoring. Think about the environment in which you want to have your baby, who you want to have there, and what birthing positions you plan to use.
2. How are you hoping for your baby to be treated immediately after and for the first few days after birth?
Do you want the baby's cord to be cut by your partner? If possible, do you want your baby placed on your stomach immediately after birth? Do you want to feed the baby immediately? Will you breastfeed or bottle feed? Would you like the baby to sleep next to you or in the nursery (if the hospital has one)?
Hospitals have widely varying policies for the care of newborns — you'll want to know what these are and how they match what you're looking for.
3. What do you want to happen in the case of unexpected events?
No one wants to think about something going wrong. But if it does, it's better to have thought about your options in advance. Since some women need cesarean sections (C-sections), your birth plan should probably cover your wishes in the event that your labor takes an unexpected turn. You might also want to think about other possible complications, such as premature birth.
Things to Consider
Before you make decisions about each of your birthing options, you'll want to talk with your health care provider and tour the hospital or birthing center where you plan to have your baby.
You may find that your obstetrician, nurse-midwife, or the facility where they admit patients already has birth-plan forms that you can fill out. If so, use the form as a guideline for asking questions about how women in their care are routinely treated. If their responses are not what you're hoping for, you might want to look for a health provider or facility that better matches your goals.
And it's important to be flexible — if you know one aspect of your birthing plan won't be met, be sure to weigh that against your other wishes. If your options are limited because of medical needs, insurance, cost, or geography, focus on one or two areas that are really important to you. In the areas where your thinking doesn't agree with that of your doctor or nurse-midwife, ask why he or she usually does things a certain way and listen to the answers before you make up your mind. There may be important reasons why a doctor believes some birth options are better than others.
Finally, find out if there are things about your pregnancy that might prevent certain choices. For example, if your pregnancy is considered high-risk because of your age, health, or problems during pregnancy (current or previous), your health care provider may advise against some of your birthing wishes. You'll want to discuss, and consider, this information when thinking about your options.
What Are Your Birthing Options?
In creating your plan, you're likely to have choices in the following areas:
Where to have the baby. Most women give birth in the hospital. However, most are no longer confined to a cold, sterile maternity ward. Find out if your hospital practices family-centered care. This usually means the patient rooms will have a door, furnishings, a private bathroom, and enough space to accommodate a family.
Additionally, many hospitals now offer birthing rooms that allow a woman to stay in the same bed for labor, delivery, and sometimes, postpartum care (care after the birth). These rooms are fully equipped for uncomplicated deliveries. They're often attractive and have gentle lighting.
But some women believe that the most comfortable environment is their own home. Advocates of home birth believe that labor and delivery can and should happen at home, but they also stress that a certified nurse-midwife or doctor should attend the birth.
An important thing to remember about home birth is that if something goes wrong, you don't have the amenities and technology of a hospital. It can take a while to get to the hospital, and during a complicated birth those minutes can be invaluable.
For women with low-risk pregnancies who want something in between the hospital and home, birthing centers are another option. These provide a more homey, relaxed environment with some of the medical amenities of a hospital. Some birthing centers are associated with hospitals and can transfer patients if necessary. It's a good idea to find out what happens in case of a complication: How would you get to the hospital? How long would the transfer take?
Who will assist at the birth. Most women choose an obstetrician (OB/GYN), a specialist who's trained to handle pregnancies (including those with complications), labor, and delivery. If your pregnancy is considered high-risk, you may be referred to an obstetrician who subspecializes in maternal-fetal medicine. These doctors have specialized training to care for pregnant women with medical conditions or complications, as well as their fetuses.
Another medical choice is a family practitioner who has had training and has maintained expertise in managing non-high-risk pregnancies and deliveries. In some areas of the United States, especially rural areas where obstetricians are less available, family practitioners handle most of the deliveries. As your family doctor, a family practitioner can continue to treat both you and your baby after birth.
And doctors aren't the only health care providers a pregnant woman can choose to deliver her baby. You might decide that you want your delivery to be performed by a certified nurse-midwife, a health professional who's medically trained and licensed to handle low-risk births and whose philosophy emphasizes educating expectant parents about the natural aspects of childbirth.
More women are choosing to have a doula, or birth assistant, present in addition to the medical personnel. A doula is someone who's trained in childbirth and provides support to the mother. The doula can meet with the mother before the birth and can help communicate her wishes to the medical staff, should it be necessary.
Your birth plan can also indicate who else you'd like to have with you before, during, and immediately after the birth. In a routine birth, this may be your partner, your other children, a friend, or other family member. You also can make it clear at what points you want no one to be there but your partner.
More Birthing Options
Atmosphere during labor and delivery.
Procedures during labor. Hospitals used to perform the same procedures on all women in labor, but many now show increased flexibility in how they handle their patients. Some examples include:
• enemas. Used to clean out the bowels, enemas used to be routine when women were admitted. Now, you may choose to give yourself an enema or to skip it entirely.
• induction of labor. At times, labor may need to be induced or sped up for medical reasons. But sometimes, practitioners will give women the option of getting some help to move things along, or giving labor a little more time to progress on its own.
• shaving the pubic area.
Other procedures that you can include in your birth plan are preferences about fetal monitoring, extra birthing equipment you'd like in the room, and how often you have internal exams during labor.
Pain management. This is important for most women and is something you have a lot of control over. It's also something you'll want to discuss carefully with your health care provider. Some women change their minds about pain relief during labor only to discover that they're too far along in their labor to use some methods, such as an epidural. Also ask about other forms of pain relief, including massage, relaxation, breathing, and bathing. Know your options and make your wishes known to your care provider.
Position during delivery. You can try a variety of positions during labor, including the classic semi-recline with the feet in stirrups that you've seen in the movies. Other choices include lying on your side, squatting, standing, or simply using whatever stance feels right at the time.
Episiotomies. When necessary, doctors do episiotomies (when the perineum — the area of skin between the vagina and the anus — is partially cut to ease the delivery). You may have one if you risk tearing or in the case of a medical emergency. But if there is an option, you can discuss your preference with your provider.
Assisted birth. If the baby becomes stuck in the birth canal, an assisted birth (i.e., using forceps or vacuum extraction) may be necessary.
Cesarean section (C-section). If you need to have a C-section, you'll have to consider a few things. Do you want your partner to be present, if possible? What about viewing the birth — do you want to see the baby coming out?
After the birth. Decisions to be made about the time immediately after birth include:
• Would your partner like to cut the umbilical cord?
• Does your partner want to hold the baby when the baby emerges?
• Do you want immediate contact with the baby, or would you like the baby to be cleaned off first?
• How would you like to handle the delivery of the placenta? Would you like to keep the placenta?
• Do you want to feed the baby right away?
Communicating Your Wishes
Give your health care provider your reasons for creating a birth plan — not because you don't trust him or her, but to help ensure cooperation and to cover the possibilities if something should go wrong. If your caregiver seems offended or is resistant to the idea of a birth plan, you might want to reconsider whether this is the right caregiver for you.
Also, think about the language of your plan. You can use many online resources to create one or you can make one yourself.
Here are some tips:
• Think about the other personnel who'll be using it — hospital staffers might feel more comfortable if you call it your "birth preferences" rather than your "birth plan," which could seem as though you're trying to tell them how to do their jobs.
• Try to be positive ("we hope to") as opposed to negative ("under no circumstances").
When you've made your birth plan, schedule a time to go over it with your doctor or nurse-midwife. Find out and discuss where you agree or disagree. During your pregnancy, review the birth plan with your partner periodically.
Try to keep the plan as simple as possible and put your wishes in order of importance. Focusing on your priorities will help ensure that the most important of your wishes are met.
Make copies of the plan: one for you, one for your chart, one for your doctor or nurse-midwife, and one for your birthing coach or partner. And bring extra copies in your labor bag, in case your doctor is not on call when your baby is born.
You can't control everything that happens during your baby's birth. But you do play a role in the decisions made about your body and your baby. A well thought-out birth plan can help you to do that.
Date reviewed: June 2022
Generic First Birthday Quotes
These first birthday quotes can be used for either a little boy or girl.
• What a celebration your first year has been! Many wishes for love, happiness, and all things good in every year to follow.
• You've brought a year of happiness to all who know you. Wishing you a day of smashed cake, lots of presents, and another year of joy.
• Thank you for letting us celebrate your first year of life. Sending you hopes for joy and happiness on this year special day.
• Happy birthday to the sweetest, smartest, funniest, most loving one-year-old I know. Have an amazing day celebrating YOU!
• Though you have only been on this Earth for a year, your life has made a big impact on so many. Have a happy birthday and many wishes for a wonderful year.
• Twinkle, twinkle little star, a year one old is what you are!
• It's an extra special day, becuase a very special baby has a birthday.
Baby Boy Quotes
Use these sayings to celebrate a baby boy's birthday.
• Here's to a year of snips, snails, puppy dog tails, and a lifetime of adventure.
• Boy, Oh, Boy! Look who is turning one!
Baby Girl Quotes
Consider these sayings for a little girl's birthday.
• It's only been a year year with our little girl, but someone she managed to get into our hearts with just a swirl and twirl.
• Happy birthday to a beautiful little girl who has danced and spun and giggled her way into the hearts of many.
Birthday Quotes for Twins
Celebrate your twins' birthdays with a special quote.
• Twins (Boys) - Double the trouble and twice the fun! So glad that our favorite boys have turned one.
• Twins (Girls) - Sugar and fluff and a little spice. Giggles and smiles and all that is nice. Pink and ruffles, lace and pearls. We are so blessed by knowing these two little girls. Now its time for gifts and cake and memories made for a celebration of a year of life that we'd never trade.
• Twins (Boy and girl) - Wishing you double the cake, twice the fun, and two times the joy, to an amazing girl and wonderful boy.
Quotes From the Parents
Check out these quotes from parents on a baby's birthday.
• A year of giggles, hugs, and sleepless nights. A year of first steps, first words, and new sights. A magical journey full of surprises and fun, our favorite baby is about to turn one!
• Every day of your life you have been a blessing. Just when I didn't think you could get cuter, funnier or smarter, you someone managed to do it. On your birthday, I wish you everything your heart desires and more.
• Life has been sweeter, more adventurous, and a ton more fun since you've been in it. Birthday blessings to my precious child.
• Blessings to you, little one, on your special birthday.
Parents who adopted their children may want to recognize it with a special quote, like "You may not have my eyes or smile, but on this special birthday, I want you to know that you've had my heart from the moment I met you."
Other Sources for Quotes
If you still need inspriation, try the following other sources for birthday quotes.
• Wishes Quotes - Parents and friends can use this source of 12 quotes for a baby's birthday, whether it's the first or another year.
• What to Write in a Card - Just as their site name indicates, this site will help you figure out an appropriate verse to write in a birthday card. Some are geared towards slightly older kids, but you can still find good options for babies among the choices on five pages.
• Wish a Friend - This site has four pages of longer quotes and verses specifically written for children on their birthdays; you'll need to search through the pages to find the ones appropriate for a baby's birthday.
• Birthday Wishes for Children - Pick from quotable sentences or verses that are appropriate for a baby or child's birthday. Two pages have quotes geared towards the various ages mixed together, so read through them all before you make your final decision.
Invitations
If you are creating your own birthday invitations, consider using a quote or saying along with a photo of your baby or clip art. Quotes can easily be turned into party invitation wording, like the following ideas:
Use the quote on the front of the invitation, as part of the design, on the interior as part of the verse, or as an insert.
Scrapbook
If you're creating a scrapbook of the child's birthday, use a verse or two on the pages to help convey your thoughts and feelings. Simply copy and paste or type your favorite verse on your computer and print it out on acid-free paper to use in your layout.
Gifts
Use your favorite quote to decorate a wood plaque or needlepoint to give as a gift for the birthday baby. This will act as a keepsake that the child can display for many years.
Additional Ideas
In addition to using these quotes in the tangible ways above, consider using them in a speech given at a birthday party. You can also use them in a letter written for the birthday child or as a part of a video or photo slideshow made to show at the party.
Beautiful Thoughts for Baby's Birthday
No matter how you choose to use your favorite quote, a quote can be the perfect way to help convey your emotions for the child. Customize the quote to suit the baby in your life.