Giving birth and being born brings us into the essence of creation, where the human spirit is courageous and bold and the body, a miracle of wisdom.

a Support plan differs from a traditional birth plan in that this is what you want and need from your support. It sounds simple - and it is really - but due to its personal nature, it can sometimes feel a bit dificult to impliment. You need to know on a deep level your emotional needs and how your life has influenced you through support or trauma. 

On a simple level you look at a range of supportive techniques ranging from communication styles,to physical and emotional boundaries and share this information with your birth partner/team so they can better support you. 

Looking deeper into this there maybe many past events influencing the way in which you need to be supported, and being abe to communicate your needs with your partner/team may not be as easy as it first seems. 

The beauty of a support plan is it can work in every eventuality, even in emergancies, and will help to reduce the risk of traumas and post natal depression. It wont stop a traumatic even from happening, but it will put into place the support you need to navigate it.

I was once told by a mum friend not to bother with a birth plan because as soon as labour starts the plan goes out of the window.

I hadn't realised at the time how loaded this bit of advice was, and how truamatic this friends birth was. She aquated not having her wishes and feelings listened to throughout her labour and birth as having wasted her time making a birth plan. She also didnt really understand what a birth plan was for, having put in things like having nice music and fairly lights, it missed the mark on what was really important to her. 

She didn't have anyone to talk to about it, and no-one spent any time with her to really get to understand her and what she wanted, and to guide her to understand for herself what it was that was important to her.

I have a blog plost coming in early 2024 all about birth plans that you will be able to read very soon that contains more information from my point of view and experiences.

I believe having a well informed birth plan can lead to an empowering birthing experience. It doesnt matter if you have a freebirth, water birth or a C-Section, if your views, wishes, concerns and voice is heard and acted on, you are most likely to have a birth you are not just happy with, but proud of.

It's also a really good document to have to discuss with your birthing team, making your thoughts and wishes known well before the day can lay the foundations needed for everyone to be on the same page. Having a hard copy for your birthing partner to refer to, in those moments you need to be left alone, a good birthing partner can use the plan to advocate your wishes for you.