A labor and delivery plan is an informal guide you create before giving birth that expresses your preferences for how you would like labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period to go. It can include your desires for pain management, who will be present in the room, preferences for interventions, and more.
Having a plan like this is helpful because it fosters open communication between you and your care team, helps align expectations, and gives you confidence going into labor. Flexibility is essential — because birth can be unpredictable, but a thoughtfully prepared plan enables you to maintain some control and ensures your preferences are known and respected.
At OB-GYN Associates of Marietta, we have both certified nurse midwives (CNMs) and OB/GYNs on staff to support births, giving you the flexibility to choose the model of care that fits your philosophy and needs.
Midwife care often emphasizes lower-intervention births with continuous support, while OB/GYNs are available if complications or surgical needs arise. Together, we’re here to help give you a positive birth experience, and here are four important factors to consider when making your birth plan.
One of the most important elements of your birth plan includes your preferences for pain management during labor and delivery. Some women prefer an unmedicated or minimally medicated birth, relying on movement, breathing, hydrotherapy, or position changes for comfort. Others plan to use an epidural, nitrous oxide, or other analgesic options.
When drafting your plan, consider what comfort techniques you’re open to, whether you want flexibility to change course, and how your care providers (midwives or OBs) support those options. Make sure your plan acknowledges what you hope for — but also what you’re willing to accept, should the situation change.
Think about who you want in your labor and delivery room, whether it’s your partner, family members, a doula, or others. Determine how much support you want from each person and when. Because we have midwives and OB/GYNs on staff, your plan can include how you prefer to transition between care models if needed.
Also consider how you want to receive information during labor. Do you prefer that the care team consult you directly before every decision? Would you like them to use their judgment in emergent situations? Knowing your preferences helps your team respect your autonomy while prioritizing your safety.
Although it’s good to outline your ideal preferences, it’s equally important to include flexibility for interventions if needed. For example, your plan might express a desire to avoid induction unless medically indicated, or to decline episiotomy unless necessary for the baby’s safety. You may also want to include preferences about fetal monitoring, cesarean birth, or assisted delivery.
Because circumstances can change quickly during labor, having “if/then” statements in your plan can allow smoother communication and decision-making when emotions run high. For example, “If labor becomes prolonged, then I will consider cesarean birth if recommended by my doctor.”
Your labor and delivery plan should also cover what happens immediately after your baby is born. Who holds the baby first? Do you want skin-to-skin contact right away? Delayed cord clamping? Early initiation of breastfeeding?
You should also take time to think about newborn procedures, like hearing tests, weighing, and bathing, and when you’d prefer them to happen. Communicating these preferences ahead of time helps your team coordinate care, and we will work with you to align standard newborn practices with your preferences and your baby’s health needs.
At OB-GYN Associates of Marietta, our team of CNMs and OB/GYNs is committed to supporting your vision for birth, whether that means a natural, low-intervention experience or one guided by medical readiness. During your prenatal visits, we help you explore your options, weigh risks and benefits, and build a labor plan that reflects your values.
The purpose of your birth plan is to help you think through preferences, empower communication, and foster clarity with your care team. And when the day comes, you can walk into labor knowing your voice matters and your care is rooted in expertise and compassion. Contact us to schedule a prenatal appointment at OB-GYN Associates of Marietta today.
