The Importance of Creating a Support Plan (and why we don’t call it a birth plan)
When you’re preparing to welcome a new baby, creating a support plan can be a powerful way to communicate your needs, desires, and priorities to your care team. We like to call it a support plan instead of a birth plan because, as much as we’d all love to map out every detail, birth can be unpredictable. But what you can plan for is how you’d like to be supported in different scenarios, so your care team knows what’s important to you.
A support plan isn’t a strict checklist—it’s more of a guide to help clarify your preferences and make sure everyone on your team knows how best to support you. Creating one with your doula and partner can make sure you’re all on the same page, and having a physical copy to share with your provider and nurses makes it easy for them to refer back to your goals and wishes.
Why Create a Support Plan?
A support plan is a chance to lay out your preferences around pain management, labor positions, newborn care, and postpartum priorities. Here’s why it’s so helpful:
Explore Your Options: Birth includes a lot of decisions, and your support plan is a good time to review your choices, from delivery methods and pain relief to newborn care preferences. Putting this together after a childbirth class is key so you have up-to-date info for making decisions.
Boost Your Confidence: Having a clear idea of what works for you and your family can help you feel prepared and more in control.
Streamline Communication: Your support plan is a quick way to share what’s important to you with everyone, reducing any miscommunication and helping your team keep your preferences front and center.
Key Elements to Include in a Support Plan
While every support plan is different, here are a few common areas to cover:
Environment: Describe your ideal setting—whether it’s low lighting, calming music, or minimal interruptions. A relaxing space can help keep you calm and comfortable.
Pain Management Preferences: Note whether you prefer natural pain relief methods, like breathing exercises or hands-on support from your partner and doula, or if you’re open to medical options like nitrous oxide or an epidural. And remember, having preferences in writing doesn’t mean you can’t adjust in the moment.
Labor and Delivery Positions: Include any positions or techniques, like using a birthing ball or Spinning Babies, that you’re comfortable with during labor. You can also include preferences to minimize any interventions that might restrict movement.
Interventions: Jot down your thoughts on medical interventions, such as induction, monitoring, IV placement, or C-sections. This way, you’ll feel prepared to discuss options if interventions become necessary. Including a section on unexpected outcomes, like a C-section, ensures you’ve planned for support even if things shift.
Support People: List the people you’d like by your side, like your partner, family, or doula. If someone will take photos or handle specific tasks, note it here, too. You can also make it clear that you want your support team with you for things like epidural placement or C-sections.
Newborn Care: Note your preferences for newborn procedures, such as delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin contact, or feeding options. You can also include your wishes around immediate bonding time with your baby.
Why Flexibility is Key
While having a plan is empowering, keeping an open mind helps you adapt in the moment. Birth can be unpredictable, so flexibility makes space for decisions based on what’s safest and most supportive at the time.
Make Real-Time Choices: Being open means you can adjust in the moment, staying focused on what matters most to you.
Lower Stress: Staying focused on core goals, like a positive experience and a healthy baby, can help you stay calm if things change.
Increase Satisfaction: Studies show that parents who go into birth with both a plan and a flexible mindset often feel more satisfied with their experience.
Tips for Crafting a Flexible Support Plan
Use “Preferences” Over “Must-Haves”: Stating your choices as preferences keeps the focus on your ideal outcome without being rigid.
Share with Your Provider Early: Discuss your support plan with your provider around 36-38 weeks, so they understand your wishes and are ready to support your priorities.
Highlight Core Priorities: Your top values for birth—like a calm environment, skin-to-skin contact, or minimizing interventions—will help your team align with your goals. Try to keep the plan short, clear, and one page max so it’s easy for everyone to follow.
How Your Doula Helps Honor Your Plan
A doula is a big part of putting your support plan into action. Doulas work closely with you and your partner to create a support plan that reflects your goals. During labor, they help communicate with your care team, keep your options in mind, and support any changes along the way. With your doula in the loop, you’ll feel confident that your preferences will be honored and you’ll have a partner to adjust with you if needed.
Final Thoughts
A support plan is a valuable part of birth prep. It helps you communicate your wishes and explore your options without getting too stuck on a rigid plan. A flexible support plan plus a strong, supportive team can help you welcome your baby with calm and confidence.
For support in creating your own plan or to discuss how a doula can make a difference, reach out to us at Saltwater Doulas. We’re here to help you design a birth experience that reflects your values, goals, and vision.
