You expect your labor and delivery experience to be special — and you should.

One way new moms-to-be are preparing for their big day is by developing birth plans prior to their deliveries. These plans help them define their expectations and provide direction for their birth partners and patient care teams to better understand their needs and wants.

Not all birth plans — and not all deliveries — are the same, so it’s useful to have some idea ahead of time of ways to put together an effective, realistic birth plan.

1. Find a Provider

It goes without saying that having a trusted obstetrics specialist in your corner is essential. This medical provider will oversee the prenatal care that’s vital to a healthy, happy delivery.

Obstetrics specialists and their practice staff also know the ins and outs of the labor and delivery unit at the hospital where you’ll deliver, and can help answer questions and provide advice and insight on making the birth experience positive and helping to set realistic expectations as you develop your birth plan.

2. Start Your Research

It may seem daunting, but there’s no time like the present to begin researching the labor and delivery process on your own and familiarizing yourself with what to expect.

One of the best ways to start your research is to check into some of the free prenatal education opportunities offered through Tanner Women’s Care. These include free “boot camp” classes to help you plan for your delivery and caring for a newborn, as well as a smartphone app that can provide tips and insight during your pregnancy, a free online “e-class” with tons of interactive materials and the My Baby Expectations newsletter.

It’s also worthwhile to speak with your obstetrics provider about scheduling a tour of the maternity center where you’ll deliver. This will give you an opportunity to learn more about the labor and delivery suites, the protocols that are in place to ensure your safety and the safety of your new arrival, advice on managing visitors and more.

3. Talk to Your Friends and Loved Ones

You’re probably surrounded by people eager to share all manner of opinions on what you’re doing right (and wrong) as a new mother, but believe it or not, some of them may actually be able to offer some constructive input into your developing birth plan.

Understand that no two births are the same, and that as research improves, medical practices in the labor and delivery suite evolve to ensure the best outcome for mother and newborn. But women who have delivered before might be able to offer some pertinent advice on what worked for them as well as feedback on the delivery itself. It’s a good idea to sit down and have a heart-to-heart (or several) ahead of time to discuss your concerns, your fears and your expectations with someone who’s been through the process before.

4. Share Your Plan

A birth plan doesn’t do a lot of good if no one knows you have it. Share your plan and your expectations ahead of time with your birthing partner — he or she will best be able to serve as your advocate when the time comes if they are familiar with your expectations. Discuss the plan with your obstetrics provider as well.

5. Remember: Plans Are Subject to Change

Everyone’s goal in the labor and delivery suite is going to be to achieve a healthy delivery that preserves the safety of you and your newborn. That means that even the best-laid birth plan is subject to change as conditions change.

Your patient care team will be working constantly to monitor and adjust as necessary. The obstetrics provider and labor and delivery staff are specially trained and highly experienced in deliveries. While every effort is made to accommodate a birth plan, certain deviations may prove to be medically necessary. Your patient care team will continually work with you and your birth partner to keep you apprised of your progress, your prognosis and changes that may need to be made along the way from labor to delivery and beyond.

You can find more information on labor, delivery and newborn care online in Tanner’s Health Library and in Tanner Maternity Care.

 For more information, call 770-214-2229 or visit TannerHealthcareForWomen.org.