Digital Book Discontinued Birth Choices v1.1 | Page 5

Introduction
Using This Book
These four steps will guide you through planning for birth. Each of these steps is important for
your preparation. This book is divided into four sections, one for each step, with practical, detailed
information for each.
1. Understand the Context 3. Take Action
It is helpful to start with the “big picture.” In
step one, you will understand: The first two steps lay the foundation for your
preferences, but to meet your goals, you need
support. The third step is to ensure your care
provider and birth place are the right fit. A
supportive environment and birth team greatly
increase the likelihood that you will have a
healthy and positive birth.
• Your own views, feelings and goals for birth
and how those ideas were formed.
• How to minimize risk.
• The current status of the birth culture in
the United States, and how that culture can
affect your experience.
• The importance of being proactive.
2. Know Your Options and Preferences
You will make many decisions throughout your
pregnancy and birth. In step two, you will learn
about different approaches and options and
identify your preferences.
4. Communicate
Step four includes guidance on how to have
respectful and direct communication with
your birth team about your preferences. This
step also provides you with tools to develop
a written document clearly stating your
preferences for your experience, sometimes
called a birth plan.
Take a Childbirth Class
Please note that an important part
of your preparation includes learning
about the process of giving birth. Before
making plans and decisions about birth,
you should understand the stages of
labor, common medical interventions,
and your pain management options.
Taking a childbirth class is one of the best
ways to learn about birth. You may also
want to read books, watch videos, or a
combination of these. Preparing for Birth,
a book available from Plumtree Baby,
includes thorough information on all
these topics.
Birth Choices
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