Birth Preferences for your birth plan.
A birth plan can be super helpful for you to figure out your options in a medicalised maternity system. There are so many possibilities, and understanding how they all work can really help you make informed decisions. Taking some time in advance to consider your options can make a big difference in reducing any trauma, confusion, or stress. When we really understand all the choices, we can approach them with confidence.
This is a tool called Birth Map or Cartography.
“Simply put, Birth Cartography® is a process of careful and well researched birth preparations, allowing you to make informed decisions about your care. These decisions are then documented in your Birth Map®”.
The idea of birth plans is to give women more say in a medicalised maternity care system. They were meant to improve communication between maternity care providers and women and were seen as an educational process. Some people debate the term "plan," saying it's too rigid and doesn't allow for changes. Also, using templates and checklists might not be the best for communication between care providers and women, which can impact informed decision making.
This is why going to antenatal classes is super important. In my Hypnobirthing Australia Positive Birth Classes, we dive into all things related to birth for you and your support person. As a midwife, I have the inside knowledge about current maternity systems and can help you create a birth map/plan/preferences. Think of your plan like a flowchart, considering all the possibilities and how to navigate them based on your preferences.
