Why a Birth Plan Should be Part of Your Parental Leave Plan
Written by Daina Tate
Protection for pregnant people isn’t just needed at work. Birth plans are helpful tools to not only enhance the quality of your labor and delivery experience, but also protect you so you get the most optimal birth experience, and also help support your paid family leave strategy. It’s an often overlooked exercise during the lead-up to childbirth, but I’m going to share a few reasons why it’s essential to have a birth plan.
First of all, what is a birth plan? What does it mean to plan something that for the most part is completely spontaneous and out of your control? Well, you have more control than you think. A birth plan is meant to express your personal preferences and choices during the process of childbirth. It also helps with establishing clear communication with your healthcare provider team - unlike with just about any other reason you’d have to seek medical attention, you are the expert when it comes to creating your ideal childbirth experience. You have the right to communicate and collaborate, and the right medical care team will be open to facilitating your desired experience.
Before the communication of preferences can even begin, you’re going to need some education on what the possibilities of your preferences can be. Imagine being invited to choose options from a buffet, but most of the dishes look unfamiliar and there aren’t labels to explain what each item is. Chances are, you’d just go with what you know or understand. That’s how a typical childbirth experience goes. Many women are uninformed and reliant on what’s deemed safe because of what is common.
The exercise of putting together a birth plan allows you to research and understand the basic ins and outs of childbirth and how truly magical the experience can be. So many of us have been conditioned to be fearful of giving birth that we are willing to relinquish our power when it comes to how things will play out. What’s more empowering than understanding how your body works, especially during child birth? Rather than allowing the fear of the unknown to take over, you can foster a sense of confidence that will carry through all aspects of your pregnancy experience.
A birth plan example, created by Daina Tate.
Like setting expectations with your employer for your parental leave and eventual return to work, it’s important to proactively set intentions for your birthing experience. Informed decision-making gives you a better idea of your needed preparation time and recovery process. I’m a firm believer that every postpartum parent deserves as much time needed to physically recover and emotionally bond with their new baby, but the laws in this country don’t pass the vibe check. So you have to advocate for yourself. Understanding your childbirth options and possible outcomes can give you leverage with your employer when it comes to negotiating a fair and advantageous amount of time for your maternity leave.
Even though childbirth is mostly spontaneous like almost everything in life, unforeseen events can happen, and it’s important to plan for the unexpected. You have a plan for household emergencies, schools practice fire drills, and you should have a birth plan that considers the unexpected. The best way to remain flexible in the face of change is to be prepared for it. When everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency, it allows you to get through unforeseen circumstances with grace. Don’t let the word ‘emergency’ evoke fear. Understanding the types of emergency you might encounter can give you the confidence to pivot from what was previously planned. For example, getting a c-section is a very common pivot or unforeseen event during labor. Your preferences on how you’d want an emergency c-section to be handled can be included in your birth plan, and provide you with a much more empowered experience than being caught off guard because you hadn’t even considered a c-section.
Also, changes to your birth plan like an unforeseen event can alter the terms of your paid family leave with your employer. For example, most insurance policies recognize that having a c-section is considered a major surgery and recovery time is extended, delaying your return-to-work date. It’s not necessary to communicate your birth plan with your employer, however, it is important to inform them of your intended timeline and that you will be in touch if your timeline changes.
Once you get all of the necessary conversations with your employer and medical care team out of the way, it’s time to focus on you and creating the birth experience of your dreams. I always tell my clients that creating a birth plan is no different than making a vision board or writing affirmations and goals in a manifestation journal. I am a firm believer in writing down things and keeping those same desires at the forefront of your mind. If you’ve made a vision board before or even made a wish while blowing out your birthday candles, creating a birth plan for your labor and delivery experience is no different. You can incorporate personal touches in your birth plan to make your experience more uniquely catered to you. Don’t be timid. Go all out. As a doula, I’ve seen it all playlists, aromatherapy, family photos, meditation, spiritual rituals, family traditions, and more included in a birth plan. What’s most important is to remember this is your experience and your birth goals will likely look different than your best friend’s, sister’s or neighbor down the street.
Spending time to create a thoughtful birth plan can provide the foundation for a joyous and empowering experience, giving you the opportunity to make informed decisions, confidently communicate with your medical providers, and overall create a more positive birth and postpartum journey.
Daina's calling to become a doula happened after she became a full-time working mom during the height of the pandemic. A mostly isolated pregnancy and lack of support in postpartum ignited a passion within her to make sure no other woman had to navigate these experiences alone. In the Summer of 2023, Daina walked away from her nearly 15-year career in advertising and marketing to support working moms like herself. Daina currently resides in Philadelphia with her 3-year-old daughter and works as a birth doula for amazing women in the area. Daina also helps clients nationwide prepare for the transition from maternity leave to back to work and also creates personalized birth plans for women all over the world. To connect with Daina, please follow her on Instagram and TikTok. She is currently holding space for virtual clients in need of personalized birth plans. DM her for more details!
