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When we talk about a birth plan (or birth wishes), we’re talking about a simple piece of writing that you can do on any medium you like. Its purpose is to put down on paper your expectations, the things you’d like the staff to know about your needs and wishes during labor and delivery.
There is no standardized form; simply write it out in your own way and hand it to the nurse who will greet you when you enter the maternity ward. Wherever possible, the staff will do their best to respect your requests. But remember, you’ll need to be flexible, because childbirth really is a box of surprises, and it’s only after it’s all over that we know the story.
To help you, we’ve put together a birth plan that’s easy to fill in and asks you questions to help you think through your needs and desires surrounding the birth of your baby.