You may already have ideas about your ideal birthing experience. Would you prefer medication or natural childbirth? Do you want your son circumcised? Who will your support people include?
Thinking about these questions ahead of time and making your wishes known in writing before you are in labor will allow the UPMC Magee-Womens staff in Central Pa. to help you have a satisfying delivery experience.
At UPMC Magee-Womens, we are committed to family-centered care. That's why we encourage you to develop a birth plan outlining your preferences for your hospital stay, labor and delivery before labor begins. A birth plan is not a binding agreement rather, it is a set of guidelines and preferences that our staff will follow under optimal circumstances.
Completing a birth plan is not mandatory. However, if you have strong preferences about using pain management or medical interventions, who you want in the labor room, and how you wish to feed your baby, it is a good idea to complete a birth plan.
You and your partner should spend some time thinking about and prioritizing what you want during labor and delivery.
Our birth plan template will help you answer a number of questions, including:
Keeping an open mind and being flexible can help your labor and delivery go smoothly. Things do not always go as planned, but educating yourself and making a plan can empower you to make the best choices for you and your family.
Most people think that a birth plan is only for vaginal delivery. However, there are some instances when delivering naturally is not an option.
You may need to have a cesarean section (C-section) if:
If your baby's birth will be a planned C-section, you will still have control over some aspects of your baby's delivery. Creating a birth plan and discussing it with your health care provider will help you understand your options and what decisions you can make in advance. You may want to consider:
You should also discuss any concerns about anesthesia with your anesthesiologist before surgery.
Natural childbirth means giving birth without pain medication. Instead of medication, you would use relaxation and breathing techniques, position changes, walking, massage, water therapy, and other techniques to manage the pain of labor. Medication-free labor allows you to move around more freely and may result in the delivery of a more alert baby, which is helpful for breastfeeding.
You may want to consider signing up for one of our childbirth classes in Central Pa. to learn about the various options for pain relief during labor. After you learn about all the available options, you can decide if a natural birth plan is right for you.
Keep in mind that a birth plan is not binding. You can decide at any point before or during your labor to depart from your birth plan.
Learn about the Labor and Delivery Services at UPMC in Central Pa.
When it comes to health care for you and your family, UPMC is here. It's easy to find the right doctor, health screenings, programs, classes, and more.
Contact UPMC in central Pa.